IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/linklogis" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31126:1" rel="noopener">Linklogis (LINK HK)</a> is a leading technology solution provider for supply chain finance in China. Its solutions optimise the payment cycle of supply chain transactions and digitalize the entire workflow of supply chain finance. Linklogis was the leading technology solution providers in China with a 20.6% market share of supply chain finance transactions processed in 2020, according to CIC. Linklogis is backed by <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>, CITIC Capital, GIC and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/standard-chartered-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:193:1" rel="noopener">Standard Chartered (STAN LN)</a>. Linklogis has started pre-marketing an HKEx IPO to raise as much as $1 billion, according to press reports.<div class="content-highlight">In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/linklogis-ipo-initiation-isupply" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:47017" rel="noopener">Linklogis IPO Initiation: ISupply</a>, we stated that Linklogis is an attractive play on China’s supply chain finance market by combining a sensible monetisation model, high customer retention rate (good revenue visibility) and strong operating leverage. In this note, we examine the 2020 results and recent developments disclosed in the PHIP. Overall, we continue to believe that Linklogis’ fundamentals are attractive.  </div>

Linklogis (LINK HK) is a leading technology solution provider for supply chain finance in China. Its solutions optimise the payment cycle of supply chain transactions and digitalize the entire workflow of supply chain finance. Linklogis was the leading technology solution providers in China with a 20.6% market share of supply chain finance transactions processed in 2020, according to CIC. Linklogis is backed by Tencent Holdings (700 HK), CITIC Capital, GIC and Standard Chartered (STAN LN). Linklogis has started pre-marketing an HKEx IPO to raise as much as $1 billion, according to press reports.In Linklogis IPO Initiation: ISupply, we stated that Linklogis is an attractive play on China’s supply chain finance market by combining a sensible monetisation model, high customer retention rate (good revenue visibility) and strong operating leverage. In this note, we examine the 2020 results and recent developments disclosed in the PHIP. Overall, we continue to believe that Linklogis’ fundamentals are attractive.  

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

China Merchants Bank H / Equity Bottom-Up

*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.

*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

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>Linklogis, a technology solution provider for supply chain finance in China, is aiming to raise over US$500m in its Hong Kong IPO. Its investors include Tencent, GIC and Standard Chartered Bank.</div><div>Linklogis’ cloud-native solutions optimize the payment cycle of supply chain transactions and digitalize the entire workflow of supply chain finance. As per CIC, Linklogis was the leader among technology solution providers in China in terms of supply chain finance transactions processed over 9M20, accounting for 20.5% market share.</div><div>Linklogis overall revenue grew by 83% YoY in FY19 and was up another 52% over 9M20. While its core function of Supply Chain finance has been registering strong growth of 64.4% YoY in FY19 and 53.8% in 9M20, revenue from its Emerging solutions was up nearly 6x in FY19 and grew by another 38% over 9M20.</div><div>We have covered the positive aspects of the deal in our earlier insights, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/linklogis-pre-ipo-the-positives-fast-growing-blockchain-driven-supply-chain-financier" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Linklogis Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growing Blockchain Driven Supply Chain Financier </a>and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/linklogis-pre-ipo-the-negatives-inconsistent-growth-and-margins-well-funded-competitors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Linklogis Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Inconsistent Growth and Margins, Well Funded Competitors</a>. In this note, we'll talk about earnings forecast and valuations.</div>

Linklogis, a technology solution provider for supply chain finance in China, is aiming to raise over US$500m in its Hong Kong IPO. Its investors include Tencent, GIC and Standard Chartered Bank.Linklogis’ cloud-native solutions optimize the payment cycle of supply chain transactions and digitalize the entire workflow of supply chain finance. As per CIC, Linklogis was the leader among technology solution providers in China in terms of supply chain finance transactions processed over 9M20, accounting for 20.5% market share.Linklogis overall revenue grew by 83% YoY in FY19 and was up another 52% over 9M20. While its core function of Supply Chain finance has been registering strong growth of 64.4% YoY in FY19 and 53.8% in 9M20, revenue from its Emerging solutions was up nearly 6x in FY19 and grew by another 38% over 9M20.We have covered the positive aspects of the deal in our earlier insights, Linklogis Pre-IPO - The Positives - Fast Growing Blockchain Driven Supply Chain Financier and Linklogis Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Inconsistent Growth and Margins, Well Funded Competitors. In this note, we'll talk about earnings forecast and valuations.

Linklogis Pre-IPO - Earnings Forecast, Peer Comparison and First Stab at Valuation

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

As the fallout from the Greensill affair continues, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/credit-suisse-group-ag-f4b24f0c-c294-40b3-b491-759f0cb277e9" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27915:1" rel="noopener">Credit Suisse Group (CSGN SW)</a> acknowledged 3 items regarding this situation:First, the Pillar 2 capital buffer requirement may be impacted by the Greensill affair. This may have long lasting negative implications for the valuation of CS contingent capital Tier 1 bonds.Second, certain notes underlying the Supply Chain Finance (SCF) funds will not be repaid when they fall due. The nonpayment creates considerable uncertainty regarding the valuation of a significant part of the remaining US$6.9bn. of assets in the SCF funds.Third, certain investors have already threatened litigation and, CS also stated that it “might also suffer reputational harm associated with these matters that might cause client departures or loss of assets under management.” This is what we warned when the Greensill news broke two weeks ago. Please see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/credit-suisse-greensill-sows-reputation-risks-underweight-cs-bonds" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48839" rel="noopener">Credit Suisse: Greensill Sows Reputation Risks, Underweight CS Bonds</a> for more details. In the intervening time-period, CS equity and credit have materially underperformed their respective indexes.At this point, investors’ main concern should be the amount or level of additional Pillar 2 capital which the firm may need to retain. The is not currently factored into CS’ debt or equity valuations.To its credit, the bank is taking prompt corrective action in restructuring the leadership, transparency, and compensation of the Asset Management division. However, we remain skeptical with whether the worst is past in this affair. Alternative assets require greater oversight as they are harder to manage and value. Combining risk management and compliance functions across CS stills seems like a mistake when it comes to asset management. However, the segmental separation of the Asset Management division may be a first step to unloading the relatively undersized entity. Distancing the unit from the Wealth Management operations may limit client departures.We continue to believe that the pricing of Credit Suisse bonds does not fully reflect the risks, complexity, and low capitalization of the firms’ underlying business model; nor does it capture potential franchise impairment from increasing reputation risk. The recent suspension of redemptions from certain CS funds is at best an embarrassment and at worst a signal that controls remain in need of considerable attention. This is unfortunate, as CS is highly geared to the business cycle and could outperform peers, if it can get its house in order. However, CS’s long-dated Additional Tier 1 bonds already trade tight relative to the challenges facing the firm. Please see: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/credit-suisse-perfection-priced-into-long-dated-at1" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48461" rel="noopener">Credit Suisse – Perfection Priced into Long-Dated AT1</a> for more details.   We suspect that credit may continue to follow equity and underperform over the near term. Longer-term, Pillar 2 considerations suggest that an even lower capital buffer as a cushion for AT1 investors, unless hidden capital is realized, or shareholders receive less in returns. Taken together, we remain comfortable with our recommendation that investors underweight Credit Suisse.

As the fallout from the Greensill affair continues, Credit Suisse Group (CSGN SW) acknowledged 3 items regarding this situation:First, the Pillar 2 capital buffer requirement may be impacted by the Greensill affair. This may have long lasting negative implications for the valuation of CS contingent capital Tier 1 bonds.Second, certain notes underlying the Supply Chain Finance (SCF) funds will not be repaid when they fall due. The nonpayment creates considerable uncertainty regarding the valuation of a significant part of the remaining US$6.9bn. of assets in the SCF funds.Third, certain investors have already threatened litigation and, CS also stated that it “might also suffer reputational harm associated with these matters that might cause client departures or loss of assets under management.” This is what we warned when the Greensill news broke two weeks ago. Please see Credit Suisse: Greensill Sows Reputation Risks, Underweight CS Bonds for more details. In the intervening time-period, CS equity and credit have materially underperformed their respective indexes.At this point, investors’ main concern should be the amount or level of additional Pillar 2 capital which the firm may need to retain. The is not currently factored into CS’ debt or equity valuations.To its credit, the bank is taking prompt corrective action in restructuring the leadership, transparency, and compensation of the Asset Management division. However, we remain skeptical with whether the worst is past in this affair. Alternative assets require greater oversight as they are harder to manage and value. Combining risk management and compliance functions across CS stills seems like a mistake when it comes to asset management. However, the segmental separation of the Asset Management division may be a first step to unloading the relatively undersized entity. Distancing the unit from the Wealth Management operations may limit client departures.We continue to believe that the pricing of Credit Suisse bonds does not fully reflect the risks, complexity, and low capitalization of the firms’ underlying business model; nor does it capture potential franchise impairment from increasing reputation risk. The recent suspension of redemptions from certain CS funds is at best an embarrassment and at worst a signal that controls remain in need of considerable attention. This is unfortunate, as CS is highly geared to the business cycle and could outperform peers, if it can get its house in order. However, CS’s long-dated Additional Tier 1 bonds already trade tight relative to the challenges facing the firm. Please see: Credit Suisse – Perfection Priced into Long-Dated AT1 for more details.   We suspect that credit may continue to follow equity and underperform over the near term. Longer-term, Pillar 2 considerations suggest that an even lower capital buffer as a cushion for AT1 investors, unless hidden capital is realized, or shareholders receive less in returns. Taken together, we remain comfortable with our recommendation that investors underweight Credit Suisse. 

Credit Suisse: Greensill's Capital Implications Outweigh Asset Management Corrective Action

*Positive Spin: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) {HDFCB] management held a call with a competitor, where a positive spin was placed on nearly every aspect of its business. HDFCB highlighted lending had reached pre-COVID-19 levels during December and is attributed to pent-up demand. Management also contends that its NIM should remain in the guided range of 4.0%-4.5% given the improving loan mix and the reduction in excess liquidity; and
*Credit Still Breaking Down Ex-Supreme Court Ruling: On an apples-to-apples basis, we find that HDFCB’s stated gross NPLs increased 18.1% linked quarter. Inclusive of NCOs of INR 34 bn, however, we calculate that net new NPLs actually increased INR 65 bn or 151% on an annualized basis. Provisions barely cover NCOs – down from 2.4x in FY 3Q21. We would be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions – especially during periods when volatile sources of fee revenues give HDFCB a gift to build reserves. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 328 bn or over a year of core operating results based on FY 3Q21 results.

*Positive Spin: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) {HDFCB] management held a call with a competitor, where a positive spin was placed on nearly every aspect of its business. HDFCB highlighted lending had reached pre-COVID-19 levels during December and is attributed to pent-up demand. Management also contends that its NIM should remain in the guided range of 4.0%-4.5% given the improving loan mix and the reduction in excess liquidity; and
*Credit Still Breaking Down Ex-Supreme Court Ruling: On an apples-to-apples basis, we find that HDFCB’s stated gross NPLs increased 18.1% linked quarter. Inclusive of NCOs of INR 34 bn, however, we calculate that net new NPLs actually increased INR 65 bn or 151% on an annualized basis. Provisions barely cover NCOs – down from 2.4x in FY 3Q21. We would be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions – especially during periods when volatile sources of fee revenues give HDFCB a gift to build reserves. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 328 bn or over a year of core operating results based on FY 3Q21 results.   

HDFC Bank – Story Appears Different From Reality

United Kingdom

Standard Chartered PLC is an international banking group operating principally in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The Company offers its products and services in the personal, consumer, corporate, institutional and treasury areas.

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Standard Chartered (STAN LN)

Linklogis IPO: Every Little Helps

Linklogis has started pre-marketing an HKEx IPO to raise as much as $1 billion, according to press reports. The PHIP which discloses the 2020...

Arun George

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

Linklogis Pre-IPO - Earnings Forecast, Peer Comparison and First Stab at Valuation

Linklogis, a technology solution provider for supply chain finance in China, is aiming to raise over US$500m in its Hong Kong IPO. Its investors...

Sumeet Singh

Credit Suisse: Greensill's Capital Implications Outweigh Asset Management Corrective Action

Additional Pillar 2 capital requirements are not currently factored into valuations. CS bonds do not reflect the risks, complexity, and low...

Hank Calenti, CFA

HDFC Bank – Story Appears Different From Reality

HDFC BANK: HDFCB recently put a positive spin on nearly every aspect of its business. However, credit quality and provision realities are far...

Thomas J. Monaco

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