Founder & CEO Bond Angle, LLC, Bond Angle, LLC

Vicki Bryan

Founder & CEO Bond Angle, LLC

Bond Angle, LLC

Insightful commentary and analysis on bond markets and market movers, including financial, economic, and industry catalysts and management shenanigans. 

High yield market investment research

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a> was revealed on Friday as the massive NASDAQ whale helping to drive unprecedented option volume in recent weeks with its multi-billion dollar call-buying spree in the biggest tech names, as reported by <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/75587aa6-1f1f-4e9d-b334-3ff866753fa2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Financial Times</a> and <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbanks-bet-on-tech-giants-fueled-powerful-market-rally-11599232205" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Wall Street Journal</a> which confirmed speculation Thursday by <a href="https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/speculation-emerges-over-identity-mystery-marketwide-call-buyer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zero Hedge</a>.Softbank's option trades added to $40 billion in call-buying over the past month traced to retail investors. The resulting frenzy netted Softbank <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/53aa19bb-fc9a-46fd-aafd-4bc3669ab161" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$4 billion in option trading gains—on paper—</a>on its own <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbanks-bet-on-tech-giants-fueled-powerful-market-rally-11599232205" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$50 billion notional exposure</a>. By comparison, Softbank's newly acquired long positions in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amazon-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:409:1" rel="noopener">Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alphabet-inc-cl-c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11369:1" rel="noopener">Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/microsoft-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15273:1" rel="noopener">Microsoft Corp (MSFT US)</a>,  and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tesla-motors-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20279:1" rel="noopener">Tesla Motors (TSLA US)</a> are worth just <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/3eec59a3-cb51-487c-aacd-68a0c7e46f2f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$2 billion</a>, almost all that's left of the $10 billion Softbank spent late in the June quarter buying and selling mostly tech stocks at heady prices. Those holdings now are also subject to sharp declines triggered when Softbank's option scheme was revealed. Sure enough, Softbank <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/9e5827e9-893a-453e-b28d-88c1c0adc9d5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost $9 billion in market value</a> on Monday.There's plenty of intense scrutiny underway to understand these trades and what their impact ultimately proves to be. I'm more interested in Softbank's drastic change in strategy and its alternative deployment of cash from $40 billion raised in stock fire sales forced by its wary banks and legacy mega-investors who cut him and Softbank off after decades of seemingly endless billions in available funding when his recklessness netted Softbank and Vision Fund tens of billions of dollars in record losses. This certainly is not what Softbank told investors to expect mere weeks ago.Instead, Softbank's actions signal arrogance, or desperation, or worse—that CEO Masayoshi Son feels unrestrained and back in his Star Wars Zone with $40 billion in fresh cash.<div class="content-highlight">Read on for a Bond Angle deep dive into the belly of Softbank, The Whale, and what Son feels free to do with its $40 billion in cash that was pledged to bolster Softbank's bloodied balance sheet.</div>

Softbank Group (9984 JP) was revealed on Friday as the massive NASDAQ whale helping to drive unprecedented option volume in recent weeks with its multi-billion dollar call-buying spree in the biggest tech names, as reported by Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal which confirmed speculation Thursday by Zero Hedge.Softbank's option trades added to $40 billion in call-buying over the past month traced to retail investors. The resulting frenzy netted Softbank $4 billion in option trading gains—on paper—on its own $50 billion notional exposure. By comparison, Softbank's newly acquired long positions in Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US), Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US), Microsoft Corp (MSFT US),  and Tesla Motors (TSLA US) are worth just $2 billion, almost all that's left of the $10 billion Softbank spent late in the June quarter buying and selling mostly tech stocks at heady prices. Those holdings now are also subject to sharp declines triggered when Softbank's option scheme was revealed. Sure enough, Softbank lost $9 billion in market value on Monday.There's plenty of intense scrutiny underway to understand these trades and what their impact ultimately proves to be. I'm more interested in Softbank's drastic change in strategy and its alternative deployment of cash from $40 billion raised in stock fire sales forced by its wary banks and legacy mega-investors who cut him and Softbank off after decades of seemingly endless billions in available funding when his recklessness netted Softbank and Vision Fund tens of billions of dollars in record losses. This certainly is not what Softbank told investors to expect mere weeks ago.Instead, Softbank's actions signal arrogance, or desperation, or worse—that CEO Masayoshi Son feels unrestrained and back in his Star Wars Zone with $40 billion in fresh cash.Read on for a Bond Angle deep dive into the belly of Softbank, The Whale, and what Son feels free to do with its $40 billion in cash that was pledged to bolster Softbank's bloodied balance sheet.

Softbank's Son "Feeling The Force" With Options Funded With Cash It Had Pledged To Protect

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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.

Event-Driven

As Tesla chooses the “unusual” option of conducting equity financing through an At The Market offering we think it is an apt time to take a trip down memory lane and examine some of the qualitative similarities of the company’s culture and situation with one of the previous companies that was going to change the world and disrupt all those who just didn’t get it… Enron.

As Tesla chooses the “unusual” option of conducting equity financing through an At The Market offering we think it is an apt time to take a trip down memory lane and examine some of the qualitative similarities of the company’s culture and situation with one of the previous companies that was going to change the world and disrupt all those who just didn’t get it… Enron.

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tesla-motors-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20279:1" rel="noopener">Tesla Motors (TSLA US)</a> stock closed near $2,100 per share on Friday, making it more expensive at more than $381 billion versus the combined equity of its next five competitors <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/general-motors-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18811:1" rel="noopener">General Motors Co (GM US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ford-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19225:1" rel="noopener">Ford Motor Co (F US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyota-motor-corp-spon-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8245:1" rel="noopener">Toyota Motor Corp Spon Adr (TM US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/volkswagen-ag" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21738:1" rel="noopener">Volkswagen (VOW GR)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissan-motor-co-ltd-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8768:1" rel="noopener">Nissan Motor (ADR) (NSANY US)</a>. Notice I didn't say more "valuable." That's because the stock now is selling at 1153x earnings, with enterprise value 84x my 2020 EBITDA estimate (as affirmed in my report <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/investors-aren-t-worried-but-tesla-seems-to-be" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39074" rel="noopener">Investors Aren't Worried, But Tesla Seems To Be</a> on 8/17/20).Now, this doesn't mean I am a Tesla "hater" (or a seventh-grader) or "in the pocket of big oil." But then, people say a lot of dubious things to justify Tesla's stock price like:<ul>
<li>Tesla should be priced like a tech company, not an auto company. </li>
<li>Tesla is profitable and generates free cash flow.</li>
<li>Analysts just don't understand Tesla's business.</li>
<li>Tesla's insane demand plus its prospective battery-making business makes it worth the valuation.</li>
<li>Panic over COVID-19 is "dumb" and it will be over by April. Wait, those <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/may/01/coronavirus-has-elon-musk-acting-like-just-another-used-car-salesman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statements came from Tesla CEO Elon Musk</a> and they were categorically false and dangerous misinformation when he said them.</li>
</ul>Meanwhile, we're still waiting for the "more than one million" Tesla "robotaxis" with "full self-driving hardware, feature complete at a reliably level that we would consider that no one needs to pay attention" as Musk promised by July of this year on Autonomy Day in April 2019 and which now are significantly overdue (see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tesla-autonomy-day-takes-investors-for-another-ride" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:29339" rel="noopener">Tesla "Autonomy Day" Takes Investors For Another Ride</a> on 4/24/19).I mean, if you can't trust claims from Elon Musk what about Tesla's bulls? <div class="content-highlight">Read on as Bond Angle the Curmudgeon takes on Tesla myths even bigger than its stock price.</div>

Tesla Motors (TSLA US) stock closed near $2,100 per share on Friday, making it more expensive at more than $381 billion versus the combined equity of its next five competitors General Motors Co (GM US), Ford Motor Co (F US), Toyota Motor Corp Spon Adr (TM US), Volkswagen (VOW GR), and Nissan Motor (ADR) (NSANY US). Notice I didn't say more "valuable." That's because the stock now is selling at 1153x earnings, with enterprise value 84x my 2020 EBITDA estimate (as affirmed in my report Investors Aren't Worried, But Tesla Seems To Be on 8/17/20).Now, this doesn't mean I am a Tesla "hater" (or a seventh-grader) or "in the pocket of big oil." But then, people say a lot of dubious things to justify Tesla's stock price like:
Tesla should be priced like a tech company, not an auto company. 
Tesla is profitable and generates free cash flow.
Analysts just don't understand Tesla's business.
Tesla's insane demand plus its prospective battery-making business makes it worth the valuation.
Panic over COVID-19 is "dumb" and it will be over by April. Wait, those statements came from Tesla CEO Elon Musk and they were categorically false and dangerous misinformation when he said them.
Meanwhile, we're still waiting for the "more than one million" Tesla "robotaxis" with "full self-driving hardware, feature complete at a reliably level that we would consider that no one needs to pay attention" as Musk promised by July of this year on Autonomy Day in April 2019 and which now are significantly overdue (see Tesla "Autonomy Day" Takes Investors For Another Ride on 4/24/19).I mean, if you can't trust claims from Elon Musk what about Tesla's bulls? Read on as Bond Angle the Curmudgeon takes on Tesla myths even bigger than its stock price.

Things People Believe: Flat Earth, Faked Moon Landings, and Tesla $2100

Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

Equity Bottom-Up

Softbank-backed insurtech platform Lemonade has filed a preliminary prospectus to list on NYSE. The company reportedly considered an IPO last year but Uber share price erosion and the failed WeWork listing made that unattractive for the loss-making company. The financials are modestly better now although the major change may be a recovery in equity markets that makes testing the waters palatable. This is not a major listing for Vision Fund as the estimated SVF investment of $400mn puts it mid-table in size (#33 on our list) but a successful listing would mark the first IPO for the fund since last year, signaling a path to liquidity for private investments that have caused so much concern in 2020. There are risks as Lemonade boasts the same combination of a high valuation and material operating losses that drove choppy trading for VF candidates but upside for those same companies now bodes well (VF’s public portfolio is +28% QTD). The main driver for Softbank’s share price continues to be market reactions to asset sale and debt reduction plans whilst ongoing share buybacks provide support.

Softbank-backed insurtech platform Lemonade has filed a preliminary prospectus to list on NYSE. The company reportedly considered an IPO last year but Uber share price erosion and the failed WeWork listing made that unattractive for the loss-making company. The financials are modestly better now although the major change may be a recovery in equity markets that makes testing the waters palatable. This is not a major listing for Vision Fund as the estimated SVF investment of $400mn puts it mid-table in size (#33 on our list) but a successful listing would mark the first IPO for the fund since last year, signaling a path to liquidity for private investments that have caused so much concern in 2020. There are risks as Lemonade boasts the same combination of a high valuation and material operating losses that drove choppy trading for VF candidates but upside for those same companies now bodes well (VF’s public portfolio is +28% QTD). The main driver for Softbank’s share price continues to be market reactions to asset sale and debt reduction plans whilst ongoing share buybacks provide support.

Softbank Group: When Your Private Portfolio Gives You Lemons, Offer Lemonade

The underlying value of Softbank Group is back over ¥10,000/share, the same level as mid-February just before the initial concerns about Covid-19 slammed the markets.  The corresponding share price has slightly lagged as concerns over private valuations at Vision Fund have been weighted more heavily than the positive benefits of buying backs shares, at least so far, but shares are up 94% off the 19 March low.  Softbank shares now trade at a 48% discount to fair value up compared to the all-time low of 68% and largely in-line with the levels last year after the WeWork IPO debacle. There is room for Softbank shares to move slightly higher should recent stock market gains hold but we think the discount is approaching appropriate levels.

The underlying value of Softbank Group is back over ¥10,000/share, the same level as mid-February just before the initial concerns about Covid-19 slammed the markets.  The corresponding share price has slightly lagged as concerns over private valuations at Vision Fund have been weighted more heavily than the positive benefits of buying backs shares, at least so far, but shares are up 94% off the 19 March low.  Softbank shares now trade at a 48% discount to fair value up compared to the all-time low of 68% and largely in-line with the levels last year after the WeWork IPO debacle. There is room for Softbank shares to move slightly higher should recent stock market gains hold but we think the discount is approaching appropriate levels. 

Softbank Group: Covid-19 Round Trip for the Share Price

United States

Anywhere Real Estate Inc. operates as a holding company. The Company through its subsidiaries, provides real estate, franchising, brokerage, relocation, and title and settlement services. Anywhere Real Estate offers its services worldwide.

Tejon Ranch Co. is a diversified real estate development and agri-business company owning land located in Los Angeles and Kern counties, California. The Company is in the process of developing its land holdings along transportation corridors into master-planned business and residential communities.

Forestar Group Inc. operates as a residential lot development company. The Company acquires entitled real estate and develops it into finished residential lots for sale to homebuilders with a strategic focus on asset turns. Forestar Group serves customers in the United States.

CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc. is a real estate investment trust. The Company primarily owns  midstream and downstream U.S. energy infrastructure assets subject to long-term triple net participating leases with energy companies. These assets include pipelines, storage tanks, transmission lines and gathering systems.

Trinity Place Holdings, Inc. owns real estate and intellectual property assets from the Syms Corporation Chapter 11. The company's current business plan includes the monetization of 16 commercial real estate properties and the development of 28-42 Trinity Place in Lower Manhattan.

Cushman & Wakefield plc operates as a commercial real estate company. The Company develops commercial properties, as well as provides property leasing, facilities management, tenant representation, and valuation services. Cushman & Wakefield serves clients worldwide.

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. operates as a self-advised real estate investment trust focusing on the lodging industry. The Company owns several hotel properties in primary, secondary, and resort markets throughout the United States.

Clipper Realty Inc. operates as a real estate investment company. The Company acquires, owns, manages, operates, and repositions multi-family residential and commercial properties in the New York metropolitan area.

Office Properties Income Trust operates as a real estate investment trust. The Company focuses on ownership and leasing of office properties. Office Properties Income Trust serves customers in the United States.

The Howard Hughes Corporation develops real estate. The Company manages master planned communities, shopping malls, and mixed-use developments throughout the United States.

Luminor Financial Holdings Limited is a property developer engaged in developing integrated residential and commercial properties in the PRC. The Company's projects are integrated residential and commercial properties in Chongqing and other second and third tier cities in the PRC, which are mainly large-scale, mid to high end and multi-phased projects.

Luminor Financial Holdings Limited (STHL SP)

Boill Healthcare Holdings Limited operates non residential building construction. The Company develops and constructs club houses, parking lots, and other projects. Boill Healthcare Holdings also operates property development, health resort development, securities investment, foundation piling subcontracting, and other businesses.

The Agency Group Australia Ltd provides real estate services. The Company buys, sells, and rents commercial and residential real estate spaces, as well as social media campaigns and market research services. Agency Group serves customers worldwide.

GPS Alliance Holdings Limited is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in real estate, property development and interior design.

Zodiac Ventures Ltd. develops real estate and offers construction services.

Grand Field Group Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, develops and invests in properties.

Eminence Enterprise Limited provides real estates services. The Company engages in property investment and development, as well as invests in listed securities and money lending business. Eminence Enterprise serves investors in in Hong Kong.

International Equities Corporation Limited is a property developer and operates a hotel in Perth, Western Australia.

Yincheng International Holding Co., Ltd. operates as a property service provider. The Company offers development and sale of residential and commercial properties, leasing of investment properties, and other real estate services. Yincheng International Holding serves clients in China.

KC Property Public Company Limited and its subsidiaries develop land and real estate in Thailand. The Company develops commercial buildings, apartment buildings, condominiums, single houses, townhouses, cluster houses, and garden resorts. The Company's projects include Ban Klang Buri, Modern Home  Place, and Modern Home Garden Village.

WeWork Inc. provides co-working spaces for individuals and entrepreneurs. The Company offers private offices, office suites, headquarters, and custom build out options to fit a variety of office needs, as well as desk spaces and conference rooms. WeWork serves customers worldwide.

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WeWork (WEWKQ US)

Softbank's Son "Feeling The Force" With Options Funded With Cash It Had Pledged To Protect

The market is eager to know what Softbank plans to do with a burgeoning war chest from bigger and bigger stock sales. The better question is why...

Vicki Bryan

Tesla – A Comparison With Enron

As Tesla chooses the “unusual” option of conducting equity financing through an At The Market offering we think it is an apt time to take a trip...

Mio Kato

Things People Believe: Flat Earth, Faked Moon Landings, and Tesla $2100

Tesla Motors (TSLA US) stock closed near $2,100 per share on Friday, making it more expensive at more than $381 billion versus the combined equity...

Vicki Bryan

Softbank Group: When Your Private Portfolio Gives You Lemons, Offer Lemonade

Softbank-backed insurtech platform Lemonade has filed a preliminary prospectus to list on NYSE. The company reportedly considered an IPO last year...

Kirk Boodry

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Softbank's Son "Feeling The Force" With Options Funded With Cash It Had Pledged To Protect

The market is eager to know what Softbank plans to do with a burgeoning war chest from bigger and bigger stock sales. The better question is why...

Vicki Bryan

Tesla – A Comparison With Enron

As Tesla chooses the “unusual” option of conducting equity financing through an At The Market offering we think it is an apt time to take a trip...

Mio Kato

Things People Believe: Flat Earth, Faked Moon Landings, and Tesla $2100

Tesla Motors (TSLA US) stock closed near $2,100 per share on Friday, making it more expensive at more than $381 billion versus the combined equity...

Vicki Bryan

Softbank Group: When Your Private Portfolio Gives You Lemons, Offer Lemonade

Softbank-backed insurtech platform Lemonade has filed a preliminary prospectus to list on NYSE. The company reportedly considered an IPO last year...

Kirk Boodry

Softbank Group: Covid-19 Round Trip for the Share Price

The underlying value of Softbank Group is back over ¥10,000/share, the same level as mid-February just before the initial concerns about Covid-19...

Kirk Boodry