Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

Last week, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-exchange-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1047:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Exchange (SGX SP)</a> made a momentous <a href="https://www.sgx.com/media-centre/20201215-sgx-strengthens-commitment-sustainability-s20-million-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a> in the sphere of Asian sustainable/ESG finance and investing. <a href="https://first.sgx.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SGX FIRST</a> is its new multi-partner sustainability initiative. The acronym, FIRST, is for "Future in Reshaping Sustainability Together," but it says so much more.SGX FIRST, puts SGX first, in the ranks of Asia's most sustainable stock exchanges.This is different. SGX FIRST is a well-conceived, high-level, strategic sustainability initiative on an entirely different plane than the many "platform" launches of late. It is indeed part platform, but to view it as only that misses its essence entirely. SGX FIRST stands out in three interrelated ways:<ol>
<li>
Intelligent: Unlike "me-too" ESG portals, SGX FIRST is an integrated strategic plan leveraging existing strengths, products, and relationships. It's making progress, not even a week out.</li>
<li>
Impactful: Intelligent design and synergies-galore should translate into real impact; the ability for SGX FIRST to foster and shape sustainable capital markets in Singapore, and APAC.</li>
<li>
Profitable: Yet to be seen, but likely. This is the stuff of virtuous cycles, from establishing ESG domain authority to licensing fees and other incomes. Altruistic capitalism, but capitalism.</li>
</ol>In this game of ESG "platforms," SGX is playing chess, whilst others chew on checkers.In light of pandemic-induced hard times for SGX, this may be what the doctor ordered.

Last week, Singapore Exchange (SGX SP) made a momentous announcement in the sphere of Asian sustainable/ESG finance and investing. SGX FIRST is its new multi-partner sustainability initiative. The acronym, FIRST, is for "Future in Reshaping Sustainability Together," but it says so much more.SGX FIRST, puts SGX first, in the ranks of Asia's most sustainable stock exchanges.This is different. SGX FIRST is a well-conceived, high-level, strategic sustainability initiative on an entirely different plane than the many "platform" launches of late. It is indeed part platform, but to view it as only that misses its essence entirely. SGX FIRST stands out in three interrelated ways:

Intelligent: Unlike "me-too" ESG portals, SGX FIRST is an integrated strategic plan leveraging existing strengths, products, and relationships. It's making progress, not even a week out.

Impactful: Intelligent design and synergies-galore should translate into real impact; the ability for SGX FIRST to foster and shape sustainable capital markets in Singapore, and APAC.

Profitable: Yet to be seen, but likely. This is the stuff of virtuous cycles, from establishing ESG domain authority to licensing fees and other incomes. Altruistic capitalism, but capitalism.
In this game of ESG "platforms," SGX is playing chess, whilst others chew on checkers.In light of pandemic-induced hard times for SGX, this may be what the doctor ordered.

SGX FIRST Puts SGX First in the Ranks of Asia's Most Sustainable Stock Exchanges

Oh, the inhumanity of Monopolium Inquisitorum, leviathans made to stand before the judgement of inquisitorial courts. Repent and reform, or burn in everlasting… fine, maybe just shed a few worldly possessions, WhatsApp would be a good start, and stop coveting thy neighbors' data so much.Big technology companies (aka "Big Tech") are the subject of ever-expanding antitrust inquisitions by regulators and courts around the world. In the U.S., informal inquiries into prominent members of FAANG by the U.S. Congress turned into formal antitrust suits, first Alphabet then Facebook.Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced yet another inquiry, this one into the data collection practices of social media companies. It mentioned nine companies by name, a few of which are "new" to this conversation (ByteDance, Tencent-investee Discord, and Snap).This Insight looks at one particular ESG angle to this antitrust stuff. Specifically, the potential for antitrust investigations – not the outcomes, but the process – to trigger ESG ratings downgrades and, in turn, constituency changes to major ESG indices. Summary points, for the cover page:<ul>
<li>Antitrust investigations will inevitably result in additional ESG ratings downgrades, and since most ESG indices are constructed using those ratings, constituency changes are likely.</li>
<li>Index changes might not happen until annual reviews a few months from now, but they are not tied to eventual antitrust outcomes (e.g., breakups) that could be years away, or not at all.</li>
<li>Presently, Facebook and Alphabet are the only U.S. stocks that stand out vis-à-vis the potential for antitrust-driven changes to ESG ratings and/or ESG indices (more so for Facebook).</li>
<li>Let's be honest, we are not talking about Tesla being added to the S&amp;P 500. Even for larger ESG indices, index-linked AUM is comparatively small vis-à-vis broader market indices.</li>
<li>However, one thing keeps it interesting. ESG indices are bloated with Big Tech, many of which are right behind Facebook and Alphabet on the antitrust plank walk.</li>
</ul>Herein, I explain my thought process – antitrust, to ESG ratings downgrades, to ESG index changes – then cover Facebook and Alphabet in some detail (albeit limited by constraints). There is less to say about the other U.S. "antitrust stocks" at the moment, but that may change. More importantly, I am looking into something similar, but related to Asian stocks. So, more to come.

Oh, the inhumanity of Monopolium Inquisitorum, leviathans made to stand before the judgement of inquisitorial courts. Repent and reform, or burn in everlasting… fine, maybe just shed a few worldly possessions, WhatsApp would be a good start, and stop coveting thy neighbors' data so much.Big technology companies (aka "Big Tech") are the subject of ever-expanding antitrust inquisitions by regulators and courts around the world. In the U.S., informal inquiries into prominent members of FAANG by the U.S. Congress turned into formal antitrust suits, first Alphabet then Facebook.Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced yet another inquiry, this one into the data collection practices of social media companies. It mentioned nine companies by name, a few of which are "new" to this conversation (ByteDance, Tencent-investee Discord, and Snap).This Insight looks at one particular ESG angle to this antitrust stuff. Specifically, the potential for antitrust investigations – not the outcomes, but the process – to trigger ESG ratings downgrades and, in turn, constituency changes to major ESG indices. Summary points, for the cover page:
Antitrust investigations will inevitably result in additional ESG ratings downgrades, and since most ESG indices are constructed using those ratings, constituency changes are likely.
Index changes might not happen until annual reviews a few months from now, but they are not tied to eventual antitrust outcomes (e.g., breakups) that could be years away, or not at all.
Presently, Facebook and Alphabet are the only U.S. stocks that stand out vis-à-vis the potential for antitrust-driven changes to ESG ratings and/or ESG indices (more so for Facebook).
Let's be honest, we are not talking about Tesla being added to the S&amp;P 500. Even for larger ESG indices, index-linked AUM is comparatively small vis-à-vis broader market indices.
However, one thing keeps it interesting. ESG indices are bloated with Big Tech, many of which are right behind Facebook and Alphabet on the antitrust plank walk.
Herein, I explain my thought process – antitrust, to ESG ratings downgrades, to ESG index changes – then cover Facebook and Alphabet in some detail (albeit limited by constraints). There is less to say about the other U.S. "antitrust stocks" at the moment, but that may change. More importantly, I am looking into something similar, but related to Asian stocks. So, more to come.

Big Tech Antitrust Scrutiny Could Mean ESG Ratings Downgrades, Constituency Changes for ESG Indices

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

Far East Hospitality Trust / Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/far-east-hospitality-trust" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19061:1" rel="noopener">Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT SP)</a>provides the stability that investors need from the substantial portion of the fixed revenue in the slow recovery in the hospitality industry. The company also benefit from getting the government contract to facilitate the SHN and hosts the Malaysian worker of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/comfortdelgro-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:497:1" rel="noopener">Comfortdelgro Corp (CD SP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-post-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:150:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Post (SPOST SP)</a> . 
Among all the hotel assets, 3 of the hotels in the Orchard area will be the first ones to recover their occupancy rate and the room rate which will translate into a higher RevPar. 
Thanks to the skew in high PER from Ascott Residence Trust, FEHT is trading at a 51% discount to the peers while in PBR, FEHT is trading at a 37.5% discount to the peers. Excluding Ascott Residence Trust, FEHT is trading at a 7% premium to the peers and a 41% discount to the peers. FEHT is also trading below its book value currently. BUY.

Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT SP)provides the stability that investors need from the substantial portion of the fixed revenue in the slow recovery in the hospitality industry. The company also benefit from getting the government contract to facilitate the SHN and hosts the Malaysian worker of Comfortdelgro Corp (CD SP) and Singapore Post (SPOST SP) . 
Among all the hotel assets, 3 of the hotels in the Orchard area will be the first ones to recover their occupancy rate and the room rate which will translate into a higher RevPar. 
Thanks to the skew in high PER from Ascott Residence Trust, FEHT is trading at a 51% discount to the peers while in PBR, FEHT is trading at a 37.5% discount to the peers. Excluding Ascott Residence Trust, FEHT is trading at a 7% premium to the peers and a 41% discount to the peers. FEHT is also trading below its book value currently. BUY. 

Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT): Stable in Slow Recovery

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

*November Market Stats Generally Positive: The Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] released its market statistics for November 2020. Unsurprisingly, the progress of the COVID-19 vaccine fuelled volume gains across the entire spectrum of SGX products; and*Taiwan Pressures: SGX ceased trading of MSCI Taiwan futures contracts on October 30, 2020 as these contracts moved to Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx]. Notional value traded market share of SGX - while usually volatile - has begun gradually declining to 90.4% in November from 92.4% in October. This will have significant implications over how much market share and fee pressure will be placed on SGX's lucrative A50 contract.

*November Market Stats Generally Positive: The Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] released its market statistics for November 2020. Unsurprisingly, the progress of the COVID-19 vaccine fuelled volume gains across the entire spectrum of SGX products; and*Taiwan Pressures: SGX ceased trading of MSCI Taiwan futures contracts on October 30, 2020 as these contracts moved to Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx]. Notional value traded market share of SGX - while usually volatile - has begun gradually declining to 90.4% in November from 92.4% in October. This will have significant implications over how much market share and fee pressure will be placed on SGX's lucrative A50 contract.  

Singapore Exchange – Strains Seen For TW Futures

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Equity Index Total Return Futures (TRF) offer a listed solution to trade the implied equity repo. Market dislocations earlier this year along with elevated equity index volatility and repricing of future dividend payments opened up trading opportunities for market participants that had the ability to price and trade the entire suite of delta one products.Implied equity repo is not very widely traded in Asia but that is changing with the introduction of listed Total Return Futures (TRF) that closely replicate the pay-off of OTC traded Total Return Swaps (TRS). TRFs offer numerous advantages over TRS’ in that they are fully fungible, centrally cleared (mitigates counterparty risk), and portfolio margined (offering margin offsets with other listed products). Japan implied equity repo has been volatile over the last few years partly due to the Bank of Japan’s ETF buying program opening up trading opportunities and attracting a new breed of investors to the TRF product. There has been renewed interest in trading TRFs due to heightened equity market, repo and dividend volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic.With LIBOR scheduled to be phased out by December 2021, there is pressure on market participants to migrate positions to a different benchmark. The SGX Nikkei 225 TRF uses MUTAN (Uncollateralised Overnight Call Rate) as the benchmark for the floating rate and is a viable alternative for market participants that are looking to migrate from an OTC product linked to LIBOR to a listed alternative that does not reference LIBOR.

Equity Index Total Return Futures (TRF) offer a listed solution to trade the implied equity repo. Market dislocations earlier this year along with elevated equity index volatility and repricing of future dividend payments opened up trading opportunities for market participants that had the ability to price and trade the entire suite of delta one products.Implied equity repo is not very widely traded in Asia but that is changing with the introduction of listed Total Return Futures (TRF) that closely replicate the pay-off of OTC traded Total Return Swaps (TRS). TRFs offer numerous advantages over TRS’ in that they are fully fungible, centrally cleared (mitigates counterparty risk), and portfolio margined (offering margin offsets with other listed products). Japan implied equity repo has been volatile over the last few years partly due to the Bank of Japan’s ETF buying program opening up trading opportunities and attracting a new breed of investors to the TRF product. There has been renewed interest in trading TRFs due to heightened equity market, repo and dividend volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic.With LIBOR scheduled to be phased out by December 2021, there is pressure on market participants to migrate positions to a different benchmark. The SGX Nikkei 225 TRF uses MUTAN (Uncollateralised Overnight Call Rate) as the benchmark for the floating rate and is a viable alternative for market participants that are looking to migrate from an OTC product linked to LIBOR to a listed alternative that does not reference LIBOR.

SGX Nikkei 225 Total Return Futures: Repo & Dividend Volatility, and LIBOR Phase Out To Drive Growth

Singapore

Singapore Exchange Limited owns and operates Singapore's Securities and derivatives exchange and their related clearing houses.  The Company also provides ancillary securities processing and information technology services to participants in the financial sector.

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SGX (SGX SP)

SGX FIRST Puts SGX First in the Ranks of Asia's Most Sustainable Stock Exchanges

"What's in a name? "asked Shakespeare. Quite a lot, when the name "SGX FIRST." FIRST is an acronym, but it also makes a bold statement; that SGX is...

Kyle Rudden

Big Tech Antitrust Scrutiny Could Mean ESG Ratings Downgrades, Constituency Changes for ESG Indices

Antitrust broaches several highly-material ESG issues. Growing antitrust scrutiny of "Big Tech" could lead to ESG rating downgrades, and in turn,...

Kyle Rudden

Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT): Stable in Slow Recovery

Among all the hotel assets, 3 of the FEHT hotels in the Orchard area will be the first ones to recover their occupancy rate and the room rate which...

Henry Soediarko

Singapore Exchange – Strains Seen For TW Futures

SINGAPORE EXCHANGE: November Stats Look Good Generally Across The Board; However, Taiwan Futures Slippage Could Impact A50.

Thomas J. Monaco

SGX Nikkei 225 Total Return Futures: Repo & Dividend Volatility, and LIBOR Phase Out To Drive Growth

With LIBOR scheduled to be phased out by December 2021, the SGX Nikkei 225 Total Return Futures provide a high quality alternative to access Japan...

Brian Freitas

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