Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Equity Bottom-Up

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance C / Equity Bottom-Up

<p><strong><em>*First Year Of Profitability: </em></strong>ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance (6060.HK) [ZhongAn] reported full year 2020 bottom-line results of CNY 554 mn, an increase of CNY 1.0 bn over losses of CNY 454 mn in 2019. Much of the turnaround in what amounts to ZhongAn’s first year of profitability can be attributed to the YOY volume growth in net earned premium of CNY 3.4 bn (26.7%) to CNY 16.7 bn; and </p><p><strong><em>*Credit Insurance &amp; Investment Concerns: </em></strong>The YOY combined ratio improvement of 10.8% to 102.5%, in pur view, is due largely to the improvement in credit insurance whose loss ratio declined from 97% in 2019 to 63%. We have a difficult time believing that little old ZhongAn has figured out the secret sauce to credit insurance risk. With value challenges ahead in ZhongAn’s illiquid securities portfolio (Challenged Tier 2/3 bank negotiable CDs and alternatives) and the CBIRC’s enabling of insurers to increase their concentration in equities, we question solvency margins and future ZhongAn dividends.</p>

*First Year Of Profitability: ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance (6060.HK) [ZhongAn] reported full year 2020 bottom-line results of CNY 554 mn, an increase of CNY 1.0 bn over losses of CNY 454 mn in 2019. Much of the turnaround in what amounts to ZhongAn’s first year of profitability can be attributed to the YOY volume growth in net earned premium of CNY 3.4 bn (26.7%) to CNY 16.7 bn; and *Credit Insurance &amp; Investment Concerns: The YOY combined ratio improvement of 10.8% to 102.5%, in pur view, is due largely to the improvement in credit insurance whose loss ratio declined from 97% in 2019 to 63%. We have a difficult time believing that little old ZhongAn has figured out the secret sauce to credit insurance risk. With value challenges ahead in ZhongAn’s illiquid securities portfolio (Challenged Tier 2/3 bank negotiable CDs and alternatives) and the CBIRC’s enabling of insurers to increase their concentration in equities, we question solvency margins and future ZhongAn dividends.

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance – Don’t Believe The Hype

HK/China Healthcare Analyst (ex-Fosun Pharma)

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

<p>On January 15, 2021, the leading healthcare big data solution provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yidu-tech-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29245:1" rel="noopener">Yidu Tech Inc (2158 HK) </a>was officially listed on the main board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The first-day trading of Yidu closed at HK$65.20/share, up 147.91% from the issue price of HK$26.30, with a market value of about HK$58 billion. As of March 23, 2021, Yidu had a market value of about HK$37 billion, down nearly 36% from its market value at the high point when it went public. So are there any concerns for the Company and how are the prospects for different business segments? </p>

On January 15, 2021, the leading healthcare big data solution provider Yidu Tech Inc (2158 HK) was officially listed on the main board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The first-day trading of Yidu closed at HK$65.20/share, up 147.91% from the issue price of HK$26.30, with a market value of about HK$58 billion. As of March 23, 2021, Yidu had a market value of about HK$37 billion, down nearly 36% from its market value at the high point when it went public. So are there any concerns for the Company and how are the prospects for different business segments? 

Yidu Tech Inc (2158.HK) - Here Are the Business Prospects and Challenges

China Merchants Bank H / Equity Bottom-Up

<p><strong><em>*Weak 4Q20 Bottom-Line:</em></strong> China Merchants Bank (3968.HK) [CMB] pre-announced a poor set of 4Q20 results. On March 19, 2020, the finals were disclosed and the results were even uglier than anticipated. While its true that net profit declined CNY 6.1 bn (22.7%) on a linked quarter basis to CNY 20.9 bn –despite having its tax rate decline 790 bp to 15.6% over the period, core operating results came in at just CNY 13.9 bn – declining CNY 9.3 bn or 40.0% linked quarter;  and </p><p><strong><em>*Best Retail Franchise Hitting Credit Wall:</em></strong> While CMB has the best retail franchise in mainland China, credit risk has substantially increased in 4Q20. More worrisome is the net new NPL increase of CNY 14.8 bn, representing an annualized increase in net new NPLs of 104.7%. Provided (and its not a stretch) that the net new NPL ratio trajectory holds, reserve cover of NPLs will drop to 213% - suggesting even the mighty are falling. </p>

*Weak 4Q20 Bottom-Line: China Merchants Bank (3968.HK) [CMB] pre-announced a poor set of 4Q20 results. On March 19, 2020, the finals were disclosed and the results were even uglier than anticipated. While its true that net profit declined CNY 6.1 bn (22.7%) on a linked quarter basis to CNY 20.9 bn –despite having its tax rate decline 790 bp to 15.6% over the period, core operating results came in at just CNY 13.9 bn – declining CNY 9.3 bn or 40.0% linked quarter;  and *Best Retail Franchise Hitting Credit Wall: While CMB has the best retail franchise in mainland China, credit risk has substantially increased in 4Q20. More worrisome is the net new NPL increase of CNY 14.8 bn, representing an annualized increase in net new NPLs of 104.7%. Provided (and its not a stretch) that the net new NPL ratio trajectory holds, reserve cover of NPLs will drop to 213% - suggesting even the mighty are falling. 

China Merchants Bank – Pulling On All Levers

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-health-international-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29677:1" rel="noopener">JD Health (6618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sun-hung-kai-properties-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:111:1" rel="noopener">Sun Hung Kai Properties (16 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-healthcare-and-technology-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27008:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (1833 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sunny-optical-tech" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13363:1" rel="noopener">Sunny Optical (2382 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)</a>. Shorts increased on Energy, while decreasing on Utilities, Health Care, Materials and Communication Services.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nexon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16032:1" rel="noopener">Nexon (3659 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/brother-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6114:1" rel="noopener">Brother Industries (6448 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyo-tire-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15064:1" rel="noopener">Toyo Tire Corporation (5105 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/h-i-s-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19311:1" rel="noopener">H I S Co Ltd (9603 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/east-japan-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14271:1" rel="noopener">East Japan Railway Co (9020 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gs-yuasa-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8298:1" rel="noopener">Gs Yuasa Corp (6674 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in all sectors led by Industrials, Information Technology, Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, short increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-uplus-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1113:1" rel="noopener">LG Uplus Corp (032640 KS)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-display-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7145:1" rel="noopener">LG Display (034220 KS)</a>. </p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6450:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pegatron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12852:1" rel="noopener">Pegatron Corp (4938 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/au-optronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6704:1" rel="noopener">Au Optronics (2409 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fitipower-integrated-tech" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8712:1" rel="noopener">Fitipower Integrated Tech (4961 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/standard-foods-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19848:1" rel="noopener">Standard Foods (1227 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nan-ya-printed-circuit-board-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2699:1" rel="noopener">Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board (8046 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a>. </p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK), Alibaba Group (9988 HK), HKEX (388 HK), JD Health (6618 HK) and Sun Hung Kai Properties (16 HK) while there was short covering on Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Meituan (3690 HK), Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (1833 HK), Sunny Optical (2382 HK) and Anta Sports Products (2020 HK). Shorts increased on Energy, while decreasing on Utilities, Health Care, Materials and Communication Services.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Nexon (3659 JP), Toshiba Corp (6502 JP), Brother Industries (6448 JP) and Shiseido Company (4911 JP) while shorts decreased on Toyo Tire Corporation (5105 JP), H I S Co Ltd (9603 JP), East Japan Railway Co (9020 JP) and Gs Yuasa Corp (6674 JP). Shorts increased in all sectors led by Industrials, Information Technology, Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples.In Korea, short increased on SK Hynix (000660 KS) and LG Uplus Corp (032640 KS) while shorts decreased on Celltrion Inc (068270 KS), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), Naver Corp (035420 KS) and LG Display (034220 KS). Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were TSMC (2330 TT), United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT), Pegatron Corp (4938 TT) and Au Optronics (2409 TT) while shorts were covered on Fitipower Integrated Tech (4961 TT), Standard Foods (1227 TT), Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board (8046 TT) and Largan Precision (3008 TT). 

Asia Short Interest: Kuaishou, HKEX, SHK, Anta, Nexon, Toshiba, Toyo Tire, HIS, Hynix, TSMC, UMC

Event-Driven

<p>Hang Seng Indexes have announced the conclusions of the market consultation on the "Proposal to enhance the Hang Seng Index as regards continuing to serve as the most representative and important benchmark of the Hong Kong stock market".</p><p>The main changes to the index are:</p><ul>
<li>Increase the number of constituents to 80 by mid-2022 and ultimately to have 100 stocks in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a>. </li>
<li>To have a more balanced representation of the Hong Kong stock market, the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> constituents will be selected from seven Industry Groups. The target is to achieve a market cap coverage of not less than 50% for each Industry Group.</li>
<li>To provide flexibility for the timely addition of new listings, the listing history requirement will be lowered to 3 months.</li>
<li>There will be 20-25 'Hong Kong companies' in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> and this number will be evaluated at least every 2 years.</li>
<li>All index constituents, including Secondary Listings and WVR Securities, will be subject to a weighting cap of 8%. The 8% cap will be applied to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a> constituents as well.</li>
</ul><p>There is no mention of the tranched inclusion of stocks in the index. This leads us to believe that 5 stocks (net) could be included in the index at each review, starting in June 2021 and concluding in June 2022.</p><p>With a change in the Industry groups and a reduction in the target coverage (in terms of market cap) from 80% to 50% for each Industry group, we refresh our list of potential inclusions into and exclusions from the index.</p>

Hang Seng Indexes have announced the conclusions of the market consultation on the "Proposal to enhance the Hang Seng Index as regards continuing to serve as the most representative and important benchmark of the Hong Kong stock market".The main changes to the index are:
Increase the number of constituents to 80 by mid-2022 and ultimately to have 100 stocks in the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX). 
To have a more balanced representation of the Hong Kong stock market, the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) constituents will be selected from seven Industry Groups. The target is to achieve a market cap coverage of not less than 50% for each Industry Group.
To provide flexibility for the timely addition of new listings, the listing history requirement will be lowered to 3 months.
There will be 20-25 'Hong Kong companies' in the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) and this number will be evaluated at least every 2 years.
All index constituents, including Secondary Listings and WVR Securities, will be subject to a weighting cap of 8%. The 8% cap will be applied to the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) constituents as well.
There is no mention of the tranched inclusion of stocks in the index. This leads us to believe that 5 stocks (net) could be included in the index at each review, starting in June 2021 and concluding in June 2022.With a change in the Industry groups and a reduction in the target coverage (in terms of market cap) from 80% to 50% for each Industry group, we refresh our list of potential inclusions into and exclusions from the index.

HSI Market Consultation: BIG Changes Coming

China

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited provides health care software solutions. The Company offers mobile platform for online consultation, hospital referral and appointment, health management, and wellness interaction services, as well as connects consumers and patients with health care resources. Ping An Healthcare and Technology serves customers in China.

Ping An Healthcare and Technology (1833 HK)

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Ping An Healthcare and Technology (1833 HK)

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance – Don’t Believe The Hype

ZHONGAN ONLINE P&C INSURANCE: ZhongAn reported full year 2020 bottom-line results of CNY 554 mn. We have a difficult time believing that ZhongAn...

Thomas J. Monaco

Yidu Tech Inc (2158.HK) - Here Are the Business Prospects and Challenges

This article analyzed Yidu Tech Inc. in terms of the business prospects, the bottleneck, and the challenges for its three business segments and...

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

China Merchants Bank – Pulling On All Levers

CHINA MERCHANTS BANK: CMB's core operating results came in at just CNY 13.9 bn – declining 40.0% linked quarter. Negative operating jaws, and net...

Thomas J. Monaco

Asia Short Interest: Kuaishou, HKEX, SHK, Anta, Nexon, Toshiba, Toyo Tire, HIS, Hynix, TSMC, UMC

The Insight looks at large short interest movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

HSI Market Consultation: BIG Changes Coming

Hang Seng Indexes has announced the conclusions of the market consultation and the HSI is going to look different in a years time. Financials see a...

Brian Freitas

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