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

<p><strong><em>*Better, But Off A Low Base: </em></strong>AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] will report 1Q21 operating metrics on May 14, 2021. We anticipate a low base YOY rebound in VONB to USD 950 mn (15%). Mainland China and Malaysia should be this quarter’s standouts, whilst Hong Kong likely exhibits yet another decline in 1Q21 due to the border closure with mainland China;  and </p><p><strong><em>* China And Hong Kong Risks Still Need To Be Addressed:</em></strong> Concerned about weakening organic growth, AIA has gone on a deal-making spree: Bank of East Asia’s (23.HK) [BEA] wholly-owned life insurance unit, BEA Life; an exclusive 15-year bancassurance relationship with BEA; acquisition of Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance’s underwritten closed life insurance; a strategic digital partnership with ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance’ (6060.HK) [ZhongAn]; and received CBIRC approval to restructure its Shanghai-based life insurance branch into a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition to the massive managerial distractions with so many deals at one time, there are negative tax implications for mainland Chinese subsidiaries versus branches; challenges of bogusly rated AAA mainland Chinese bonds; no end in sight with its flailing Hong Kong flagship; and getting the BEA Life team on the same with AIA Hong Kong. </p>

*Better, But Off A Low Base: AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] will report 1Q21 operating metrics on May 14, 2021. We anticipate a low base YOY rebound in VONB to USD 950 mn (15%). Mainland China and Malaysia should be this quarter’s standouts, whilst Hong Kong likely exhibits yet another decline in 1Q21 due to the border closure with mainland China;  and * China And Hong Kong Risks Still Need To Be Addressed: Concerned about weakening organic growth, AIA has gone on a deal-making spree: Bank of East Asia’s (23.HK) [BEA] wholly-owned life insurance unit, BEA Life; an exclusive 15-year bancassurance relationship with BEA; acquisition of Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance’s underwritten closed life insurance; a strategic digital partnership with ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance’ (6060.HK) [ZhongAn]; and received CBIRC approval to restructure its Shanghai-based life insurance branch into a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition to the massive managerial distractions with so many deals at one time, there are negative tax implications for mainland Chinese subsidiaries versus branches; challenges of bogusly rated AAA mainland Chinese bonds; no end in sight with its flailing Hong Kong flagship; and getting the BEA Life team on the same with AIA Hong Kong. 

AIA Group – 1Q21 Preview; Better But Off Low Base

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/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aia-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14895:1" rel="noopener">AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-electronic-international-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1927:1" rel="noopener">BYD Electronics (285 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/country-garden-services-holdings-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27343:1" rel="noopener">Country Garden Services Holdings (6098 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/postal-savings-bank-of-china" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22848:1" rel="noopener">Postal Savings Bank of China (1658 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/citic-securities-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:463:1" rel="noopener">Citic Securities (H) (6030 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in the Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology, Health Care and Communication Services sectors, and decreased in the Financials and Industrials sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <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/cosmos-pharmaceutical-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3797:1" rel="noopener">Cosmos Pharmaceutical (3349 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakus-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29200:1" rel="noopener">Rakus Co Ltd (3923 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daito-trust-construct-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10503:1" rel="noopener">Daito Trust Construct (1878 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-financial-service-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5887:1" rel="noopener">Aeon Financial (8570 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ryohin-keikaku-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2765:1" rel="noopener">Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lasertec-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4126:1" rel="noopener">Lasertec Corp (6920 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/isetan-mitsukoshi-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18871:1" rel="noopener">Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd (3099 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsui-mining-smelting-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15998:1" rel="noopener">Mitsui Mining &amp; Smelting Co (5706 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in the Industrials and Financials sectors, and decreased in the Consumer Discretionary sector.</p></div><div>
<p>Short selling finally resumed in Korea this week. Shorts increased 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/lg-display-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7145:1" rel="noopener">LG Display (034220 KS)</a>, <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netmarble-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22839:1" rel="noopener">Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a>. The largest percentage increase in shorts was seen on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-rotem-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1554:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Rotem Company (064350 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-chemicals-co-ltd-new" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26190:1" rel="noopener">Sk Chemicals Co Ltd/New (285130 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daewoo-shipbuilding-marine-engineering" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12531:1" rel="noopener">Daewoo Shipbuilding &amp; Marine Engineering (042660 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/e-mart-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6993:1" rel="noopener">E Mart Inc (139480 KS)</a>.</p>
<p>In Taiwan, shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yang-ming-marine-transport" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8502:1" rel="noopener">Yang Ming Marine Transport (2609 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-cement" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19736:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Cement (1101 TT)</a>, <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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mediatek-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:772:1" rel="noopener">Mediatek Inc (2454 TT)</a>, while shorts covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wisdom-marine-lines-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10001:1" rel="noopener">Wisdom Marine Lines (2637 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wiwynn-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27838:1" rel="noopener">Wiwynn Corp (6669 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/richwave-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18629:1" rel="noopener">Richwave Technology (4968 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hon-hai-precision-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:745:1" rel="noopener">Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hannstar-display-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13922:1" rel="noopener">Hannstar Display (6116 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 Alibaba Group (9988 HK), BYD (1211 HK), AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK) and BYD Electronics (285 HK) while there was short covering on Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Country Garden Services Holdings (6098 HK), Meituan (3690 HK), Postal Savings Bank of China (1658 HK) and Citic Securities (H) (6030 HK). Shorts increased in the Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology, Health Care and Communication Services sectors, and decreased in the Financials and Industrials sectors.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Toshiba Corp (6502 JP), Cosmos Pharmaceutical (3349 JP), Rakus Co Ltd (3923 JP), Daito Trust Construct (1878 JP) and Aeon Financial (8570 JP) while shorts decreased on Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP), Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP), Lasertec Corp (6920 JP), Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd (3099 JP) and Mitsui Mining &amp; Smelting Co (5706 JP). Shorts increased in the Industrials and Financials sectors, and decreased in the Consumer Discretionary sector.
Short selling finally resumed in Korea this week. Shorts increased on Celltrion Inc (068270 KS), LG Display (034220 KS), SK Hynix (000660 KS), Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS) and Naver Corp (035420 KS). The largest percentage increase in shorts was seen on Hyundai Rotem Company (064350 KS), Sk Chemicals Co Ltd/New (285130 KS), Daewoo Shipbuilding &amp; Marine Engineering (042660 KS) and E Mart Inc (139480 KS).
In Taiwan, shorts increased on Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT), Yang Ming Marine Transport (2609 TT), Taiwan Cement (1101 TT), AU Optronics (2409 TT) and Mediatek Inc (2454 TT), while shorts covered on Wisdom Marine Lines (2637 TT), Wiwynn Corp (6669 TT), Richwave Technology (4968 TT), Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT) and Hannstar Display (6116 TT). 


Asia Shorts: BYD, Ping An, Toshiba, Rakus, Aeon, Celltrion, LG Display, SK Chem, Novatek, Yang Ming

<p><strong><em>*Positive Operating Jaws: </em></strong>China Everbright Bank (6818.HK) [CEB] reported 1Q21 results of CNY 11.5 bn, increasing CNY 3.3 bn (40.1%) linked quarter. When we exclude securities gains, results were less robust coming in at CNY 8.5 bn, but still improving CNY 1.8 bn (27.4%). Results were driven by CEB’s positive operating jaws, as revenues improved CNY 2.6 bn (7.7%) while costs declined CNY 660 mn (6.1%); and</p><p><strong><em>*Credit Wall Continues To Grow:</em></strong> Net new problem loans continue to accelerate at Indian bank pace of CNY 11.5 bn or 110.8% on an annualized basis. By our calculation, reserve are short in the neighborhood of CNY 103 mn which represents about three years of 1Q20 core operating results. Provided (and its not a stretch) that the net new NPL ratio trajectory holds, reserve cover of NPLs will drop to 77%. </p>

*Positive Operating Jaws: China Everbright Bank (6818.HK) [CEB] reported 1Q21 results of CNY 11.5 bn, increasing CNY 3.3 bn (40.1%) linked quarter. When we exclude securities gains, results were less robust coming in at CNY 8.5 bn, but still improving CNY 1.8 bn (27.4%). Results were driven by CEB’s positive operating jaws, as revenues improved CNY 2.6 bn (7.7%) while costs declined CNY 660 mn (6.1%); and*Credit Wall Continues To Grow: Net new problem loans continue to accelerate at Indian bank pace of CNY 11.5 bn or 110.8% on an annualized basis. By our calculation, reserve are short in the neighborhood of CNY 103 mn which represents about three years of 1Q20 core operating results. Provided (and its not a stretch) that the net new NPL ratio trajectory holds, reserve cover of NPLs will drop to 77%. 

China Everbright Bank – Credit Remains Troublesome

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Equity Capital Markets

<p>The leading Chinese insurance and healthcare platform <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/waterdrop-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33018:1" rel="noopener">Waterdrop Inc (WDH US)</a>  has set the terms for its US IPO. According to iResearch, Waterdrop was ranked the largest independent third-party insurance platform in China in terms of life and health insurance first year premiums (FYP) distributed in 2020.</p><p>The company plans to issue 30m ADS’ at an indicative price range of US$10-12 per ADS. Each ADS represents 10 ordinary shares of the company and the offer represents about 7.6% of the company’s total outstanding shares post IPO. At the midpoint of the IPO price of US$11 per ADS, Waterdrop will raise net proceeds of US$301.6m (assuming over-allotment option is not exercised) at a market capitalisation of US$4.3bn and a post-money EV of US$3.7bn.</p><p>A number of cornerstone investors have agreed to subscribe for at least US$210m worth of ADS’ offered at the IPO and these investors include Boyu Capital, HOPU Investments and Kevin Sunny Holdings. Waterdrop plans to use approx. 50% of the net IPO proceeds on enhancing and expanding its healthcare service and insurance business, 30% of the net IPO proceeds on R&amp;D and the remainder will be used for general corporate purposes.</p>

The leading Chinese insurance and healthcare platform Waterdrop Inc (WDH US)  has set the terms for its US IPO. According to iResearch, Waterdrop was ranked the largest independent third-party insurance platform in China in terms of life and health insurance first year premiums (FYP) distributed in 2020.The company plans to issue 30m ADS’ at an indicative price range of US$10-12 per ADS. Each ADS represents 10 ordinary shares of the company and the offer represents about 7.6% of the company’s total outstanding shares post IPO. At the midpoint of the IPO price of US$11 per ADS, Waterdrop will raise net proceeds of US$301.6m (assuming over-allotment option is not exercised) at a market capitalisation of US$4.3bn and a post-money EV of US$3.7bn.A number of cornerstone investors have agreed to subscribe for at least US$210m worth of ADS’ offered at the IPO and these investors include Boyu Capital, HOPU Investments and Kevin Sunny Holdings. Waterdrop plans to use approx. 50% of the net IPO proceeds on enhancing and expanding its healthcare service and insurance business, 30% of the net IPO proceeds on R&amp;D and the remainder will be used for general corporate purposes.

Waterdrop IPO: Attractive at the Lower End of the IPO Pricing

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/waterdrop-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33018:1" rel="noopener">Waterdrop Inc (WDH US)</a>, a technology platform for insurance and healthcare services in China, aims to raise up to US$360m in its US IPO. <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> owned 22.1% and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/swiss-re-ag-1f83dcbc-730e-46fa-82f2-bfe7e8e361a1" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27914:1" rel="noopener">Swiss Re AG (SREN SW)</a> owned 5.7% of the company prior to its listing.</p></div><div><p>In our previous note, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/waterdrop-pre-ipo-the-positives-fast-growth-strong-backers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Waterdrop Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growth, Strong Backers</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/waterdrop-pre-ipo-the-negatives-scandals-shutdowns-competing-with-giants-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Waterdrop Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Scandals, Shutdowns, Competing with Giants, Regulation</a> we spoke about the positive and negative aspects of the deal. </p></div><div><p>In this note, we’ll run the deal through our ECM framework and talk about valuations.</p></div>

Waterdrop Inc (WDH US), a technology platform for insurance and healthcare services in China, aims to raise up to US$360m in its US IPO. Tencent Holdings (700 HK) owned 22.1% and Swiss Re AG (SREN SW) owned 5.7% of the company prior to its listing.In our previous note, Waterdrop Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growth, Strong Backers, and Waterdrop Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Scandals, Shutdowns, Competing with Giants, Regulation we spoke about the positive and negative aspects of the deal. In this note, we’ll run the deal through our ECM framework and talk about valuations.

Waterdrop IPO - Valuation Has Nearly Tripled over the past Year

China

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Limited provides products and services through its five ecosystems in financial services, healthcare, auto services, real estate services and Smart City solutions. The Group's insurance business writes property, casualty, and life insurance products.

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Ping An Insurance Group of (601318 CH)

AIA Group – 1Q21 Preview; Better But Off Low Base

AIA GROUP: AIA reports 1Q21 metrics on May 14. We expect a low base YOY rebound in VONB of 15%. With weaker organic growth, AIA went on a deal...

Thomas J. Monaco

Asia Shorts: BYD, Ping An, Toshiba, Rakus, Aeon, Celltrion, LG Display, SK Chem, Novatek, Yang Ming

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

China Everbright Bank – Credit Remains Troublesome

CHINA EVERBRIGHT BANK: Operating results grew 27.4% QOQ, driven by positive operating jaws. Credit continues to weaken and the loss reserve...

Thomas J. Monaco

Waterdrop IPO: Attractive at the Lower End of the IPO Pricing

Waterdrop plans to issue 30m ADS’ at an indicative price range of US$10-12 per ADS. At the midpoint of the IPO price, Waterdrop will raise net...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Waterdrop IPO - Valuation Has Nearly Tripled over the past Year

Waterdrop, a technology platform for insurance and healthcare services in China, aims to raise up to US$360m in its US IPO. Tencent owned 22.1% and...

Sumeet Singh

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