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.

Equity Capital Markets

TDCX Inc, a Singapore-headquartered digital customer experience (CX) provider, is looking to raise up to US$400m in its upcoming US IPO.TDCX provides outsourcing services to clients in new economy sectors and traditional blue-chip clients undergoing digital transformation. As of Jun 21, it served 43 global clients and with 114 active campaigns. The firm has offices located in 10 geographies across Asia, Europe and Latin America, namely, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan, Spain, India, Columbia and Romania.TDCX has recorded very strong growth with revenue, EBITDA and PAT having increased by 2.5x over FY18-20. In addition, Facebook and Airbnb, combined, contributed 60.4% and 62.3% of TDCX’s total revenue for FY20 and 1H21. We have covered the company background in our earlier note, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tdcx-inc-pre-ipo-tearsheet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TDCX Inc. Pre-IPO Tearsheet.</a>In this note we will talk about the positives and negatives about the deal.

TDCX Inc, a Singapore-headquartered digital customer experience (CX) provider, is looking to raise up to US$400m in its upcoming US IPO.TDCX provides outsourcing services to clients in new economy sectors and traditional blue-chip clients undergoing digital transformation. As of Jun 21, it served 43 global clients and with 114 active campaigns. The firm has offices located in 10 geographies across Asia, Europe and Latin America, namely, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan, Spain, India, Columbia and Romania.TDCX has recorded very strong growth with revenue, EBITDA and PAT having increased by 2.5x over FY18-20. In addition, Facebook and Airbnb, combined, contributed 60.4% and 62.3% of TDCX’s total revenue for FY20 and 1H21. We have covered the company background in our earlier note, TDCX Inc. Pre-IPO Tearsheet.In this note we will talk about the positives and negatives about the deal.

TDCX Inc. Pre-IPO - Past Growth Looks Good, the Rest Is Iffy, Including the Founders S$325m Payout

CIMB Group Holdings / Equity Capital Markets

Khazanah aims to raise around US$119m via selling 1% of CIMB Group. This is not the first selldown by Khaznah and most of the past deals have managed to hold above deal price. We covered one of the past selldown by MUFJ in our earlier note <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/cimb-group-placement-end-of-strategic-ties-with-mufg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CIMB Group Placement - End of Strategic Ties with MUFG?</a>.In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework.

Khazanah aims to raise around US$119m via selling 1% of CIMB Group. This is not the first selldown by Khaznah and most of the past deals have managed to hold above deal price. We covered one of the past selldown by MUFJ in our earlier note CIMB Group Placement - End of Strategic Ties with MUFG?.In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework.

CIMB Group Placement - Has Sold Before, past Deals Did Just About Ok

ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

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

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> released a solid set of 1H2021 results, which underlined its resilience in the face of COVID-19 but a real stand out from the numbers were the ongoing successes from its digital strategies both in terms of promoting products through online expos, as well as the continuing growth in both of transactional and digital banking franchises. 
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/BBCA:IJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PT Bank Central Asia</a> recently announced that it will invest US$200m into its digital arm to fend off competition from new entrants to digital banking.
The bank will use the fresh funds to help Blu to increase market share ahead of an IPO within the next two years. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> plans to increase Blu’s capital to IDR4tn (US$278m), from around IDR1tn currently.
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> will focus on winning more merchants, partners, and customers for Blu and intends to maintain a majority stake in the entity after listing.
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> is already well ahead of its peers and any digital player on mobile banking and is Indonesia's leading bank in terms of transactional banking.
The bank saw 54% of all transactions by value and 86% of transactions by volume going through mobile or internet banking in 1H2021. This gives it access to high levels of CASA, providing the bank with a very low cost of funds.
Our view is that new digital players are more likely to take market share from smaller banks rather than <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> and see the bank maintaining its lead in transactional banking in Indonesia. Blu also has the advantage of being backed by a well-known and trusted lender, which will help to attract new customers. 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> trades on 4x FY21E PBV and is forecast to generate an ROE of 15.5% for FY21E and 17.0% in FY22E. It is one of the best-managed banks in Indonesia with a very strong risk management culture combined with a dynamic and innovative management culture, which coupled with its lead in transactional banking, allows the bank to command a significant premium over its peers.

Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) released a solid set of 1H2021 results, which underlined its resilience in the face of COVID-19 but a real stand out from the numbers were the ongoing successes from its digital strategies both in terms of promoting products through online expos, as well as the continuing growth in both of transactional and digital banking franchises. 
PT Bank Central Asia recently announced that it will invest US$200m into its digital arm to fend off competition from new entrants to digital banking.
The bank will use the fresh funds to help Blu to increase market share ahead of an IPO within the next two years. Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) plans to increase Blu’s capital to IDR4tn (US$278m), from around IDR1tn currently.
Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) will focus on winning more merchants, partners, and customers for Blu and intends to maintain a majority stake in the entity after listing.
Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) is already well ahead of its peers and any digital player on mobile banking and is Indonesia's leading bank in terms of transactional banking.
The bank saw 54% of all transactions by value and 86% of transactions by volume going through mobile or internet banking in 1H2021. This gives it access to high levels of CASA, providing the bank with a very low cost of funds.
Our view is that new digital players are more likely to take market share from smaller banks rather than Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) and see the bank maintaining its lead in transactional banking in Indonesia. Blu also has the advantage of being backed by a well-known and trusted lender, which will help to attract new customers. 
Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) trades on 4x FY21E PBV and is forecast to generate an ROE of 15.5% for FY21E and 17.0% in FY22E. It is one of the best-managed banks in Indonesia with a very strong risk management culture combined with a dynamic and innovative management culture, which coupled with its lead in transactional banking, allows the bank to command a significant premium over its peers. 

PT Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) - The Future Is Blu

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

*Poor Result: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported a weak FY 2H21 result, declining SGD 35.0 mn (14.6%) on an HOH basis. Higher than expected costs was the primary culprit for the overall disappointing result, increasing SGD 28.7 mn (11.6%) HOH pushing the expense to revenue ratio 410 bp higher to 51.8%. Cost pressures will not end, as SGX gave guidance that costs are due to increase between 9%-11%, as revenue begins to contract; and*Peripatetic: Recently, SGX announced its acquisition of MaxxTrader, its third acquisition after BidFX and Scientific Beta in 2020. Management is also considering getting involved Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). Significant strategic alternatives are needed at SGX, if it is to avoid being hollowed out by the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK).

*Poor Result: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported a weak FY 2H21 result, declining SGD 35.0 mn (14.6%) on an HOH basis. Higher than expected costs was the primary culprit for the overall disappointing result, increasing SGD 28.7 mn (11.6%) HOH pushing the expense to revenue ratio 410 bp higher to 51.8%. Cost pressures will not end, as SGX gave guidance that costs are due to increase between 9%-11%, as revenue begins to contract; and*Peripatetic: Recently, SGX announced its acquisition of MaxxTrader, its third acquisition after BidFX and Scientific Beta in 2020. Management is also considering getting involved Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). Significant strategic alternatives are needed at SGX, if it is to avoid being hollowed out by the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK).

Singapore Exchange – Completely Distracted

*Poor 2Q21 Result: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 2Q21 results of SGD 1.7 bn, decreasing SGD 304  mn (15.1%) on a linked quarter basis. The weaker results were driven primarily by an overall revenue decline, a loan provision increase, and a higher tax rate;*Watch Your Credit: We struggle continue to believe that DBS’ due diligence had actually caught all of LVB’s risk (see discussion below), and remain unconvinced that the moratorium exits are anything more than additional reliance on government schemes and relief programs. DBS has disclosed absolutely nothing about Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank’s (SRCB) fundamentals. By our calculation, and given the NCOs of SGD 69 mn, we find that net new NPLs have re-accelerated – up SGD 266 mn or increasing 18.0% annualized versus SGD 85 mn or 5.6% in 1Q21. We feel that reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 2.5bn – amounting now to about two quarters of operating results; and *Deal Distractions Mount:  While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on those of other financial institutions.

*Poor 2Q21 Result: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 2Q21 results of SGD 1.7 bn, decreasing SGD 304  mn (15.1%) on a linked quarter basis. The weaker results were driven primarily by an overall revenue decline, a loan provision increase, and a higher tax rate;*Watch Your Credit: We struggle continue to believe that DBS’ due diligence had actually caught all of LVB’s risk (see discussion below), and remain unconvinced that the moratorium exits are anything more than additional reliance on government schemes and relief programs. DBS has disclosed absolutely nothing about Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank’s (SRCB) fundamentals. By our calculation, and given the NCOs of SGD 69 mn, we find that net new NPLs have re-accelerated – up SGD 266 mn or increasing 18.0% annualized versus SGD 85 mn or 5.6% in 1Q21. We feel that reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 2.5bn – amounting now to about two quarters of operating results; and *Deal Distractions Mount:  While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on those of other financial institutions.

Singapore

United Overseas Bank Limited provides a wide range of financial services including personal financial services, wealth management, private banking, commercial and corporate banking, transaction banking, investment banking, corporate finance, capital market activities, treasury services, futures broking, asset management, venture capital management and insurance.

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UOB (UOB SP)

TDCX Inc. Pre-IPO - Past Growth Looks Good, the Rest Is Iffy, Including the Founders S$325m Payout

TDCX Inc, a Singapore-headquartered digital customer experience (CX) provider, is looking to raise up to US$400m in its upcoming US IPO.

Sumeet Singh

CIMB Group Placement - Has Sold Before, past Deals Did Just About Ok

Khazanah aims to raise around US$119m via selling 1% of CIMB Group. This is not the first selldown by Khaznah and most of the past deals have...

Sumeet Singh

PT Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) - The Future Is Blu

Bank Centra Asia will inject more funds into its standalone digital bank BCA Digital or Blu to help fend off competition from new digital players...

Angus Mackintosh

Singapore Exchange – Completely Distracted

SINGAPORE EXCHANGE: SGX FY 2H21 result declined 14.6% HOH due to rising costs. This is a distracted company with three bolt-ons in last year....

Thomas J. Monaco

DBS Group Holdings – Bad Print

DBS: DBS QOQ 2Q21 results declined 15.1% due to poor revenues and higher provisions. We worry that DBS has not caught the LVB risk, net new NPLs re...

Thomas J. Monaco

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