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

*Credibility Gap Widens: LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] reported FY 1Q22 bottom-line results of INR 1.5 bn, declining INR 2.5 bn (61.5%) linked quarter. Negative operating jaws, were the culprit, as costs increased INR 469 mn (21.1%) whilst revenues declined INR 2.6 bn (16.7%); and*Very Negative Credit Delta: Despite the limited NCOs, net new NPLs at LIC still skyrocketed INR 44.7 bn or 190.3% on an annualized basis linked quarter significantly accelerating from a very high INR 12.6 bn (62.0%) during FY 4Q21. By our calculation, if the large blip in credit continues, LIC management ought to think about adding another INR 158 bn to the reserve – which amounts to 78% of stated equity at just 50% cover of NPLs.

*Credibility Gap Widens: LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] reported FY 1Q22 bottom-line results of INR 1.5 bn, declining INR 2.5 bn (61.5%) linked quarter. Negative operating jaws, were the culprit, as costs increased INR 469 mn (21.1%) whilst revenues declined INR 2.6 bn (16.7%); and*Very Negative Credit Delta: Despite the limited NCOs, net new NPLs at LIC still skyrocketed INR 44.7 bn or 190.3% on an annualized basis linked quarter significantly accelerating from a very high INR 12.6 bn (62.0%) during FY 4Q21. By our calculation, if the large blip in credit continues, LIC management ought to think about adding another INR 158 bn to the reserve – which amounts to 78% of stated equity at just 50% cover of NPLs.

LIC Housing Finance – Unmitigated Disaster

*Earnings Appear Overstated: Bajaj Finance (BAF.IN) [Bajaj] posted FY 1Q22 results of INR 10.2 bn, declining INR 3.4 bn (25.6%) linked quarter driven by weakness in Consumer Financing. The loss provision increase of INR 5.2 bn (42.2%), which - despite the growth - still did not keep up with the pace of stated NPA growth; and *Time To Man Up:  The day of reckoning is coming for Bajaj as net new NPLs amounted to INR 193 bn at FY 1Q22 – increasing at 281.3% on an annualized basis. By our calculation, reserves (much of the portfolio is weak consumer credits) need to increase INR 157 bn - representing nearly three years of PBT and over 50% of shareholder’s equity. In other words, Bajaj needs to man up and start reporting losses – this is a troubled financial institution.

*Earnings Appear Overstated: Bajaj Finance (BAF.IN) [Bajaj] posted FY 1Q22 results of INR 10.2 bn, declining INR 3.4 bn (25.6%) linked quarter driven by weakness in Consumer Financing. The loss provision increase of INR 5.2 bn (42.2%), which - despite the growth - still did not keep up with the pace of stated NPA growth; and *Time To Man Up:  The day of reckoning is coming for Bajaj as net new NPLs amounted to INR 193 bn at FY 1Q22 – increasing at 281.3% on an annualized basis. By our calculation, reserves (much of the portfolio is weak consumer credits) need to increase INR 157 bn - representing nearly three years of PBT and over 50% of shareholder’s equity. In other words, Bajaj needs to man up and start reporting losses – this is a troubled financial institution.

*Earnings Miss: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] released another disappointing set of results, as its FY 1Q22 bottom-line result declined another INR 4.6 bn (5.6%) to INR 77.3 bn on a linked quarter basis. The earnings disappointment came from a net interest income decline, a loss provision increase, and fee revenue weakness; and*Credit Challenged Still: We calculate that net new NPLs actually increased a whopping INR 57.6 bn or 152.8% on an annualized basis – accelerating from the INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% increase posted in FY 4Q20. By our calculation, reserves are massively short by nearly INR 316 bn or nearly an entire year of core operating results.

*Earnings Miss: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] released another disappointing set of results, as its FY 1Q22 bottom-line result declined another INR 4.6 bn (5.6%) to INR 77.3 bn on a linked quarter basis. The earnings disappointment came from a net interest income decline, a loss provision increase, and fee revenue weakness; and*Credit Challenged Still: We calculate that net new NPLs actually increased a whopping INR 57.6 bn or 152.8% on an annualized basis – accelerating from the INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% increase posted in FY 4Q20. By our calculation, reserves are massively short by nearly INR 316 bn or nearly an entire year of core operating results. 

HDFC Bank – Is This Really India’s Best Bank?

*Results Down, Credibility Continues To Decrease: L&amp;T Finance Holdings (LTFH.IN) [LTFH] reported FY 1Q22 bottom-line results of 1.8 bn, declining INR 890 mn (33.3%) linked quarter. Results were weaker across the board;  and  *Accelerating Negative Credit Delta: Inclusive of NCOs of INR 8.5 bn or 3.62% annualized total loans, we note that net new NPLs skyrocketed INR 12.0 bn or increasing an eye popping 106.7% on an annualized basis during the period. By our calculation, if the large blip in credit continues, LTFH  management ought to think about adding another INR 69 bn plus to the reserve. A hit this large represents over seven years of PBT or 6.3x average equity.

*Results Down, Credibility Continues To Decrease: L&amp;T Finance Holdings (LTFH.IN) [LTFH] reported FY 1Q22 bottom-line results of 1.8 bn, declining INR 890 mn (33.3%) linked quarter. Results were weaker across the board;  and  *Accelerating Negative Credit Delta: Inclusive of NCOs of INR 8.5 bn or 3.62% annualized total loans, we note that net new NPLs skyrocketed INR 12.0 bn or increasing an eye popping 106.7% on an annualized basis during the period. By our calculation, if the large blip in credit continues, LTFH  management ought to think about adding another INR 69 bn plus to the reserve. A hit this large represents over seven years of PBT or 6.3x average equity.  

L&T Finance Holdings – Struggling To Survive

*Balance Sheet Contraction: Federal Bank (FB.IN) [Federal] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its detailed financial results due sometime later this month. Like HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN), the highlights related to growth metrics in lending and deposits – both of which are contracting. In our view, this is likely a sign that management has come to the view that it must preserve capital; and*Credit Risk Likely Increased. No information was disclosed about credit quality. Given the acceleration in the increase of net new problem loans increase of 78.4% on an annualized basis at FY 4Q21 (from 67.4% during FY 3Q21) coupled with the challenges of India’s second COVID-19 wave and negative loan growth, it’s a pretty fair bet that credit has worsened. We also found that reserve cover is increasingly light by close to INR 84.5 bn  – nearly five years of bottom-line performance. Perhaps management will do the right thing in FY 1Q22 and reverse the loss provision decline.

*Balance Sheet Contraction: Federal Bank (FB.IN) [Federal] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its detailed financial results due sometime later this month. Like HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN), the highlights related to growth metrics in lending and deposits – both of which are contracting. In our view, this is likely a sign that management has come to the view that it must preserve capital; and*Credit Risk Likely Increased. No information was disclosed about credit quality. Given the acceleration in the increase of net new problem loans increase of 78.4% on an annualized basis at FY 4Q21 (from 67.4% during FY 3Q21) coupled with the challenges of India’s second COVID-19 wave and negative loan growth, it’s a pretty fair bet that credit has worsened. We also found that reserve cover is increasingly light by close to INR 84.5 bn  – nearly five years of bottom-line performance. Perhaps management will do the right thing in FY 1Q22 and reverse the loss provision decline.

Federal Bank – Capital Preservation Mode

India

Union Bank of India Limited provides a full range of banking services throughout India. The Company's activities include retail banking, commercial and personal banking, investment management, treasury and NRI services, cash management and assorted ATM facilities. Union Bank has an online tele-banking facility for all its core banking customers.

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Union Bank Of India (UNBK IN)

LIC Housing Finance – Unmitigated Disaster

LIC HOUSING: LIC's FY 1Q22 bottom-line results declined 61.5% linked quarter due to negative operating jaws. Net new NPLs skyrocketed 190.3%...

Thomas J. Monaco

Bajaj Finance – Just BAFfling

BAJAJ FINANCE: Bajaj posted a QOQ FY 1Q22 results decline 25.6% driven by credit weakness in Consumer. Net new NPLs increased at 281% annualized...

Thomas J. Monaco

HDFC Bank – Is This Really India’s Best Bank?

HDFC Bank: HDFCB QOQ results declined 5.6% due to a net interest income and fee revenue along with a loss provision increase. Reserves appear...

Thomas J. Monaco

L&T Finance Holdings – Struggling To Survive

L&T Finance Holdings: LTFH reported FY 1Q22 bottom-line declined 33.3% QOQ. Results were weak across the board. LTFH's reserve is short INR 69 bn...

Thomas J. Monaco

Federal Bank – Capital Preservation Mode

FEDERAL BANK: Federal recently highlighted FY 1Q22 growth metrics in lending and deposits – both of which are contracting. In our view, it appears...

Thomas J. Monaco

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