Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks, Windamee Research

J. Brian Waterhouse

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks

Windamee Research

Japanese Banks

Equity Bottom-Up

CY2020 has not been a good year for embattled <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aozora-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6483:1" rel="noopener">Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP)</a>.  FY3/2020 actual results were well short of guidance, with falling net interest and fee income, rising General Administrative Expenses (GAE) and an 11-fold increase in credit costs all contributing to the disappointing performance.  FY3/2021 management guidance bravely calls for a modest improvement over FY3/2020 actual results, which we think represents a very challenging target in the current operating environment.  To add fuel to the flames, management has slashed the forecast dividend from ¥155/share to ¥122/share, the effect of which has been to send the share price tumbling.  The stock price has fallen 38.7% in the last three months alone, and is by far the worst-performing of the major bank stocks to date.  There are ominous signs scattered throughout the balance-sheet and financial statements that FY3/2021 will be a challenging year for the bank, yet foreign investors still own in aggregate a significant proportion of Aozora Bank’s outstanding shares.
Caveat Emptor!  (May the Buyer Beware!)

CY2020 has not been a good year for embattled Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP).  FY3/2020 actual results were well short of guidance, with falling net interest and fee income, rising General Administrative Expenses (GAE) and an 11-fold increase in credit costs all contributing to the disappointing performance.  FY3/2021 management guidance bravely calls for a modest improvement over FY3/2020 actual results, which we think represents a very challenging target in the current operating environment.  To add fuel to the flames, management has slashed the forecast dividend from ¥155/share to ¥122/share, the effect of which has been to send the share price tumbling.  The stock price has fallen 38.7% in the last three months alone, and is by far the worst-performing of the major bank stocks to date.  There are ominous signs scattered throughout the balance-sheet and financial statements that FY3/2021 will be a challenging year for the bank, yet foreign investors still own in aggregate a significant proportion of Aozora Bank’s outstanding shares.
Caveat Emptor!  (May the Buyer Beware!)

Aozora Bank  (8304 JP):  When Blue Skies Turn to Grey

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/134/507/original/2020-05-20_06-42-32.png?1589924596" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="134507"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>STRAGGLERS - As we wind down this series of Insights, the 'gap' between our proxies for earnings and Total Market Cap is now the largest in fifteen years, courtesy of central bank liquidity injections. Our lagging Results Score has yet to breach the 2016 'low', a creditable outcome but will do so by August. We still await annual results for 'stragglers' <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/recruit-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15070:1" rel="noopener">Recruit (6098 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokio-marine-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7591:1" rel="noopener">Tokio Marine (8766 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissan-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:72:1" rel="noopener">Nissan Motor (7201 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7797:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi (6501 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujifilm-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16353:1" rel="noopener">Fujifilm (4901 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba (6502 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hikari-tsushin-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4909:1" rel="noopener">Hikari Tsushin (9435 JP)</a>. <div>in the DETAIL below, we shall review Monday's updates:-</div><div><ul>
<li>The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the 51 results announcements was 21:3:27. The average change in Results Score was -1.1.</li>
<li>For the 24 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 8:1:15, and the average Forecast/Revision Score was -5.4. Again less than 50% of companies reporting full-year results chose to make current year forecasts.</li>
</ul></div>

Source • Japan AnalyticsSTRAGGLERS - As we wind down this series of Insights, the 'gap' between our proxies for earnings and Total Market Cap is now the largest in fifteen years, courtesy of central bank liquidity injections. Our lagging Results Score has yet to breach the 2016 'low', a creditable outcome but will do so by August. We still await annual results for 'stragglers' Recruit (6098 JP), Tokio Marine (8766 JP), Nissan Motor (7201 JP), Hitachi (6501 JP), Fujifilm (4901 JP), Toshiba (6502 JP), and Hikari Tsushin (9435 JP). in the DETAIL below, we shall review Monday's updates:-
The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the 51 results announcements was 21:3:27. The average change in Results Score was -1.1.
For the 24 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 8:1:15, and the average Forecast/Revision Score was -5.4. Again less than 50% of companies reporting full-year results chose to make current year forecasts.


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 19th May - SEI, Kotobuki Spirits, Autobacs Seven

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

*Weak Great Eastern Returns: Great Eastern (GE.SP) reported 1Q20 earnings of SGD 33.9 mn, declining 88% linked quarter from the SGD 287 mn posted in 4Q19. Earnings were materially weaker than what consensus had built in for Overseas Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) – and pose a 14% consensus miss for OCBC. Higher volatility in reported Great Eastern earnings decreases confidence in forecasts. This level of earnings decline at Great Eastern also limit the OCBC’s ability to take provisions; and* Terrible Readacross to Regional Insurers: MTM losses would imply a negative readacross to AIA (1299.HK), Prudential (PRU.LN), ManuLife (MFC.CN), and of course the mainland Chinese insurers (who are somehow exempt from negative MTM on very toxic securities portfolios).

*Weak Great Eastern Returns: Great Eastern (GE.SP) reported 1Q20 earnings of SGD 33.9 mn, declining 88% linked quarter from the SGD 287 mn posted in 4Q19. Earnings were materially weaker than what consensus had built in for Overseas Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) – and pose a 14% consensus miss for OCBC. Higher volatility in reported Great Eastern earnings decreases confidence in forecasts. This level of earnings decline at Great Eastern also limit the OCBC’s ability to take provisions; and* Terrible Readacross to Regional Insurers: MTM losses would imply a negative readacross to AIA (1299.HK), Prudential (PRU.LN), ManuLife (MFC.CN), and of course the mainland Chinese insurers (who are somehow exempt from negative MTM on very toxic securities portfolios).

OCBC – Nothing Great About Great Eastern

* Good Guidance Progess: Tokio Marine Holdings (8766.JP) [Tokio Marine] FY 3Q20 results came in at JPY 110.1 bn (1Q-3Q ¥226.7 bn, +2% yoy) with profits available to shareholders coming in at JPY 36.9 bn (1Q-3Q ¥214.9 bn, +15% yoy) – approximately 70% progress of Tokio Marine’s full-year guidance; and *….But It Won’t Last For Long: Near-term, there are significant concerns over impact of the general COVID-19 market turmoil on Tokio Marine’s own/invested securities portfolio; losses within the overseas asset manager (Delphi) and AUM redemptions; potential claims if Tokyo Olympics are canceled; and other COVID-19-related business claims.  Further, given the two major CAT events there is risk of higher reinsurance rates and concerns over the CAT/reserve ratio. In other words, FY 4Q20 results look to be quite the disaster for Tokio Marine.

* Good Guidance Progess: Tokio Marine Holdings (8766.JP) [Tokio Marine] FY 3Q20 results came in at JPY 110.1 bn (1Q-3Q ¥226.7 bn, +2% yoy) with profits available to shareholders coming in at JPY 36.9 bn (1Q-3Q ¥214.9 bn, +15% yoy) – approximately 70% progress of Tokio Marine’s full-year guidance; and *….But It Won’t Last For Long: Near-term, there are significant concerns over impact of the general COVID-19 market turmoil on Tokio Marine’s own/invested securities portfolio; losses within the overseas asset manager (Delphi) and AUM redemptions; potential claims if Tokyo Olympics are canceled; and other COVID-19-related business claims.  Further, given the two major CAT events there is risk of higher reinsurance rates and concerns over the CAT/reserve ratio. In other words, FY 4Q20 results look to be quite the disaster for Tokio Marine.

Tokio Marine Holdings – COVID-19 Risks Prevail

* European Insurers Leading Global Insurance Capital Preservation: The ebbing economic tide has significantly exposed the European financial system for what it always was - a low profit, weak capital generating, and highly geared sector which has been dangerously close to loss making for over a decade;* Solvency II Regime Not Capturing Risk:The Corona Crisis and monetary/fiscal response have created a perfect storm for insurers with negative risk-free rates and the spike in credit spreads well above 2008 GFC peak is a harbinger of investment default. The usefulness of Solvency II is being tested as ratios are supported by an Ultimate Forward Rate (UFR) which is increasingly at odds with economic reality, while the Volatility Adjustment (VA) is producing a perverse increase in headline ratios. The current environment introduces third party concerns with ratings agencies, credit defaults, and counterparties. Insurers can exhibit solvency ratio increases if corporate credit spreads rise; and  * Asia-Pacific Insurer Solidarity With Western Peer Likely: Global investors should understand the notion of solidarity in time of financial crisis. Europe’s bank and insurance regulator has each called for widespread dividend deferrals/eliminations of its financial institutions. We also fully anticipate solidarity amongst the Asia-Pacific financials with their Western peer. Whilst many of the Asia-Pacific insurers have already adopted some form of the European Solvency II regime, many have also purchased USD-denominated assets in their desperate search for yield in this low/negative rate environment where the impact of credit default and ratings agency downgrades on their investment portfolios is likely to be outsized and challenge capital ratios. We anticipate similar actions with the Asia-Pacific insurers - particularly in Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea.

* European Insurers Leading Global Insurance Capital Preservation: The ebbing economic tide has significantly exposed the European financial system for what it always was - a low profit, weak capital generating, and highly geared sector which has been dangerously close to loss making for over a decade;* Solvency II Regime Not Capturing Risk:The Corona Crisis and monetary/fiscal response have created a perfect storm for insurers with negative risk-free rates and the spike in credit spreads well above 2008 GFC peak is a harbinger of investment default. The usefulness of Solvency II is being tested as ratios are supported by an Ultimate Forward Rate (UFR) which is increasingly at odds with economic reality, while the Volatility Adjustment (VA) is producing a perverse increase in headline ratios. The current environment introduces third party concerns with ratings agencies, credit defaults, and counterparties. Insurers can exhibit solvency ratio increases if corporate credit spreads rise; and  * Asia-Pacific Insurer Solidarity With Western Peer Likely: Global investors should understand the notion of solidarity in time of financial crisis. Europe’s bank and insurance regulator has each called for widespread dividend deferrals/eliminations of its financial institutions. We also fully anticipate solidarity amongst the Asia-Pacific financials with their Western peer. Whilst many of the Asia-Pacific insurers have already adopted some form of the European Solvency II regime, many have also purchased USD-denominated assets in their desperate search for yield in this low/negative rate environment where the impact of credit default and ratings agency downgrades on their investment portfolios is likely to be outsized and challenge capital ratios. We anticipate similar actions with the Asia-Pacific insurers - particularly in Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea. 

Japan

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. is a holding company established through reorganization of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited.  The Group writes marine, fire, casualty, automobile, life, and allied insurance policies. MS&AD Insurance Group also operates financial services and agencies.

Sompo Holdings, Inc, is a holding company established through the integration of Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. and NIPPONKOA Insurance Company Limited. Through subsidiaries, the Company provides non-life insurance including marine, fire, and automobile, as well as life insurance.

The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company Ltd. underwrites and sells life, health and annuity insurance to groups and individuals. The Company offers a wide variety of insurance products to suit different needs, ranging from children's school tuition to emergency funds for the elderly.

T&D Holdings, Inc. is a holding company established through the merger of Taiyo Life Insurance, Daido Life Insurance, and T&D Financial Life Insurance. The Company manages life insurance operations for its subsidiaries.

Japan Post Insurance Co. Ltd. operates life insurance business. The Company offers whole life insurance, education endowment, ordinary endowment, medical insurance, and special endowment insurance. Japan Post Insurance provides services for individuals and businesses throughout Japan.

LIFENET INSURANCE COMPANY provides a wide range of life insurance products and services. The company mainly provides the products and services through the internet. The company also provides asset management services.

Anicom Holdings, Inc. is a holding company which was established through the merger of Anicom Insurance, Inc., Anicom Frontier, Inc., Anicom Pafe, Inc. The Company provides health insurance policies for pets and operates insurance agency through internet, personal visiting. Anicom Holdings also researches and provides pet business information.

Dream Incubator Inc. nurtures venture companies.  The Company supports companies by providing strategic insights and other consulting services.

Advance Create Co., Ltd operates insurance agency through newspaper advertising, internet, visiting, telemarketing.  The Company operates consulting and advertising services.

SBI Insurance Group Co., Ltd. operates as an insurance company. The Company offers life, non-life, short-term, and other insurance products. SBI Insurance Group provides its services in Japan.

American International Group, Inc. is an international insurance organization serving commercial, institutional and individual customers. AIG provides property-casualty insurance, life insurance and retirement services.

MetLife, Inc. provides individual insurance, employee benefits and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the regions of Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The Company's products include life insurance, annuities, automobile and homeowners insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals as well as group insurance.

China Life Insurance Company Ltd. offers a wide range of life, accident, and health insurance products and services.

China Pacific Insurance (Group) Company, Ltd. is an integrated insurance services provider. The Company offers life and property insurance products through its subsidiaries.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and its subsidiaries provide insurance brokerage, risk management, employee benefit, and other related services to clients in the United States and abroad. The Company's principal activity is the negotiation and placement of insurance for its clients. Gallagher also specializes in furnishing risk management services.

Aon PLC is a professional services provider. The Company is comprised of risk and insurance brokerage consulting. Aon's services include helping manage risk for clients, negotiating and placing insurance risk with other carriers, and advising clients related to health and benefits, retirement, compensation, strategic human capital, and human resource outsourcing.

The Travelers Companies, Inc. provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals.

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Limited provides a variety of insurance service in China.  The Company writes property, casualty, and life insurance.  Ping An Insurance also offers financial services.

Chubb Limited operates as a property and casualty insurance company. The Company provides commercial and personal property, casualty, and personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance, and life insurance to a diverse group of clients.

Prudential Financial, Inc. provides financial services throughout the United States and several locations worldwide. The Company offers a variety of products and services, including life insurance, mutual funds, annuities, pension, and retirement related services, as well as administration and asset management.

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc., through subsidiaries, offers property, casualty and life insurance, and asset management services.

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Tokio Marine Holdings (8766 JP)

Aozora Bank (8304 JP): When Blue Skies Turn to Grey

CY2020 has not been a good year for embattled Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP). FY3/2020 actual results were well short of guidance, with falling net...

J. Brian Waterhouse

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 19th May - SEI, Kotobuki Spirits, Autobacs Seven

STRAGGLERS - As we wind down this series of Insights, the 'gap' between our proxies for earnings and Total Market Cap is now the largest in fifteen...

Campbell Gunn

OCBC – Nothing Great About Great Eastern

*Weak Great Eastern Returns: Great Eastern (GE.SP) reported 1Q20 earnings of SGD 33.9 mn, declining 88% linked quarter from the SGD 287 mn posted...

Thomas J. Monaco

Tokio Marine Holdings – COVID-19 Risks Prevail

* Good Guidance Progess: Tokio Marine Holdings (8766.JP) [Tokio Marine] FY 3Q20 results came in at JPY 110.1 bn (1Q-3Q ¥226.7 bn, +2% yoy) with...

Thomas J. Monaco

Asian Insurers - Mea EIOPA

* European Insurers Leading Global Insurance Capital Preservation: The ebbing economic tide has significantly exposed the European financial system...

Thomas J. Monaco

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