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

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/k-bank-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36073:1" rel="noopener">K Bank (279570 KS)</a> plans to raise up to US$740m in its upcoming South Korean IPO. </li>
<li>K Bank is one of three Internet-only banks in Korea. It provides a full range of commercial banking products and services.</li>
<li>In our previous note, we have looked at the company’s past performance and undertaken a peer comparison. In this note, we will talk about valuations.</li>
</ul>



K Bank (279570 KS) plans to raise up to US$740m in its upcoming South Korean IPO. 
K Bank is one of three Internet-only banks in Korea. It provides a full range of commercial banking products and services.
In our previous note, we have looked at the company’s past performance and undertaken a peer comparison. In this note, we will talk about valuations.


K Bank IPO - Should Price Below Its Range

APAC IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Ethan Aw

APAC IPOs & Placements

<ul>
<li>Woori PE, NH PE and KDB Capital seek to raise around KRW195bn (US$141m) through a secondary block deal, selling 0.71m shares (3.64% of TSO) of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enchem-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34297:1" rel="noopener">Enchem (348370 KS).</a>
</li>
<li>The deal is a small one to digest at only 1.1 days of three-month ADV. </li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the placement and run the deal through our ECM framework.</li>
</ul>


Woori PE, NH PE and KDB Capital seek to raise around KRW195bn (US$141m) through a secondary block deal, selling 0.71m shares (3.64% of TSO) of Enchem (348370 KS).

The deal is a small one to digest at only 1.1 days of three-month ADV. 
In this note, we will talk about the placement and run the deal through our ECM framework.


Enchem Placement- Easily Digestible but a Punt at Best

Woori Financial Group  / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>KDIC is looking to sell around half of its remaining stake in Woori Financial Group (WFG).</li>
<li>This is almost a clean-up trade considering that KDIC had a stake of nearly 18% at the start of 2021 and will now be reduced to a less than 2%.</li>
<li>In this note, we will run the deal through our ECM framework.</li>
</ul>


KDIC is looking to sell around half of its remaining stake in Woori Financial Group (WFG).
This is almost a clean-up trade considering that KDIC had a stake of nearly 18% at the start of 2021 and will now be reduced to a less than 2%.
In this note, we will run the deal through our ECM framework.


Woori Financials Placement - Almost a Clean-Up Although past Deals Haven’t Done Much

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

It is difficult to make a truly bullish argument on behalf of US Treasuries now. The bottom line is it is still not time to buy duration. Risk yes. Duration no. Emerging Markets? It depends.The Fed re-anchored short-term, front-end, interest rate expectations via the Dot Plot, the Chairman’s comments, and actions to aid the overnight rate market. Overall, it was a better-than-expected communique from the Fed. With a spike of inflation next on the horizon, it may be a hard act to follow.Inflation can hide a host of sins. It can benefit financials and borrowers, but not the vulnerable in society, as inflation is a regressive tax. From a financial market perspective, it is difficult to envision a near-term spike in inflation as being credit positive. Market interest rates may overshoot as insurance against out-of-control inflation expectations. Risk assets, in particular Emerging Market assets, could over-react while the Fed under-reacts.The risk is that US policy makers are “fighting the last war.” Rather than continued curve steepening, we may see a period of consolidation, as short-end interest rate expectations rise at a faster rate,  essentially flattening the yield curve. We expect the Fed to be on watch for this.For financials, we anticipate improved net interest income levels during Q2 as both volume and yields rise. This would also result in higher non-interest income revenues as fee income soars from increased transactions. However, trading activity may see some institutions off-sides in terms of mistiming the market. We believe that it is better to be in banks with solid core operating revenues, rather than firms that have rediscovered and become over-reliant, once again, on trading activity.The recent back-up in US interest rates may be an opportunity to reload in some Emerging Markets (EM), just not in Turkey. Central bank independence is shattered once again by the firing of the Central Bank Governor. Only four months into the role, the former Governor is being replaced by an interest rate dove. We expect a large correction in Turkish bank bond as the markets digest this implausible reality next week. It may be better to focus on opportunities off the radar. EM high yield, but low duration, sovereign and more frontier bonds may be the answer. We cite a few inside.In terms of recent performance, in Asia, short duration and long risk bank bonds kept pace with Treasury weakness to end the week unchanged on a total return basis. Meanwhile, longer-dated European bank Contingent Capital (CoCos) managed to keep pace with Treasury market weakness to end the week unchanged on a total return basis. Each Additional Tier 1 bond callable in 2030 and 2031 tightened by 10 basis points. Given the simultaneous tightening, we ascribe this performance as due a restart of the AstraZeneca shot across the lagging EU’s vaccine effort. A third round of lockdowns may unwind these gains next week. Market Outlook: The US economy may run very hot before we see a change in Fed policy regarding short-term interest rates and the US dollar should remain stronger than analysts forecasted at year-end. Broadly, this is not Emerging Market friendly; however, a strong US economic rebound should benefit EM and European financials. First, we may need to get past the upcoming inflation spike.

It is difficult to make a truly bullish argument on behalf of US Treasuries now. The bottom line is it is still not time to buy duration. Risk yes. Duration no. Emerging Markets? It depends.The Fed re-anchored short-term, front-end, interest rate expectations via the Dot Plot, the Chairman’s comments, and actions to aid the overnight rate market. Overall, it was a better-than-expected communique from the Fed. With a spike of inflation next on the horizon, it may be a hard act to follow.Inflation can hide a host of sins. It can benefit financials and borrowers, but not the vulnerable in society, as inflation is a regressive tax. From a financial market perspective, it is difficult to envision a near-term spike in inflation as being credit positive. Market interest rates may overshoot as insurance against out-of-control inflation expectations. Risk assets, in particular Emerging Market assets, could over-react while the Fed under-reacts.The risk is that US policy makers are “fighting the last war.” Rather than continued curve steepening, we may see a period of consolidation, as short-end interest rate expectations rise at a faster rate,  essentially flattening the yield curve. We expect the Fed to be on watch for this.For financials, we anticipate improved net interest income levels during Q2 as both volume and yields rise. This would also result in higher non-interest income revenues as fee income soars from increased transactions. However, trading activity may see some institutions off-sides in terms of mistiming the market. We believe that it is better to be in banks with solid core operating revenues, rather than firms that have rediscovered and become over-reliant, once again, on trading activity.The recent back-up in US interest rates may be an opportunity to reload in some Emerging Markets (EM), just not in Turkey. Central bank independence is shattered once again by the firing of the Central Bank Governor. Only four months into the role, the former Governor is being replaced by an interest rate dove. We expect a large correction in Turkish bank bond as the markets digest this implausible reality next week. It may be better to focus on opportunities off the radar. EM high yield, but low duration, sovereign and more frontier bonds may be the answer. We cite a few inside.In terms of recent performance, in Asia, short duration and long risk bank bonds kept pace with Treasury weakness to end the week unchanged on a total return basis. Meanwhile, longer-dated European bank Contingent Capital (CoCos) managed to keep pace with Treasury market weakness to end the week unchanged on a total return basis. Each Additional Tier 1 bond callable in 2030 and 2031 tightened by 10 basis points. Given the simultaneous tightening, we ascribe this performance as due a restart of the AstraZeneca shot across the lagging EU’s vaccine effort. A third round of lockdowns may unwind these gains next week. Market Outlook: The US economy may run very hot before we see a change in Fed policy regarding short-term interest rates and the US dollar should remain stronger than analysts forecasted at year-end. Broadly, this is not Emerging Market friendly; however, a strong US economic rebound should benefit EM and European financials. First, we may need to get past the upcoming inflation spike.

Bank Credit Weekly: Inflation, the Next Market Challenge or Opportunity?

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

* Weak First Quarter To Start Off Year: KB Financial Group (105560.KS/KB.US) [KB] reported 1Q20 results of KRW 729.5 bn, up KRW 194.8 bn or 36.4% linked quarter. Despite the large linked quarter variance, KB actually missed consensus of KRW 801 bn;* Credit Taking A Turn For Worse Already: Credit quality is a lagging indicator, and the truth is that by the time that the quarter ended we were only 18 days into the COVID-19 Crisis. 2Q20  - at 108 days into the Crisis will tell a far different story. That being said, already NPLs have increased KRW 14.0 tn or 4.2% on a linked quarter basis – which is relatively high on a regional basis. Where we become increasing concerned is the level of net new problem loans which increased 202.6% on an annualized basis in 1Q20; and*Pru Transaction Is A Dumb Deal: KB has begun preparing to become retake Seoul’s title of being the leading financial group from Shinhan Financial Group (055550.KS), as it embarks on a transaction for Prudential Korea (PRU.LN). At this early stage of the cycle and Pru Korea’s long-tail and likely challenged assets, along with union and Pru financial planner pushback, this transaction seems like the cart is being put before the hose – and it should be strongly reconsidered.

* Weak First Quarter To Start Off Year: KB Financial Group (105560.KS/KB.US) [KB] reported 1Q20 results of KRW 729.5 bn, up KRW 194.8 bn or 36.4% linked quarter. Despite the large linked quarter variance, KB actually missed consensus of KRW 801 bn;* Credit Taking A Turn For Worse Already: Credit quality is a lagging indicator, and the truth is that by the time that the quarter ended we were only 18 days into the COVID-19 Crisis. 2Q20  - at 108 days into the Crisis will tell a far different story. That being said, already NPLs have increased KRW 14.0 tn or 4.2% on a linked quarter basis – which is relatively high on a regional basis. Where we become increasing concerned is the level of net new problem loans which increased 202.6% on an annualized basis in 1Q20; and*Pru Transaction Is A Dumb Deal: KB has begun preparing to become retake Seoul’s title of being the leading financial group from Shinhan Financial Group (055550.KS), as it embarks on a transaction for Prudential Korea (PRU.LN). At this early stage of the cycle and Pru Korea’s long-tail and likely challenged assets, along with union and Pru financial planner pushback, this transaction seems like the cart is being put before the hose – and it should be strongly reconsidered.  

KB Financial – Bigger Is Not Always Better

South Korea

Woori Investment Bank provides a diverse line of financial services including investment banking and commercial banking services.  The Bank's services include deposits, loans, foreign exchange, letter of credit, lease finance, securities dealing, and investment.

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Woori Investment Bank (010050 KS)

K Bank IPO - Should Price Below Its Range

K Bank (279570 KS) plans to raise up to US$740m in its upcoming South Korean IPO. In this note, we talk about the IPO valuations.

Sumeet Singh

Enchem Placement- Easily Digestible but a Punt at Best

Woori PE, NH PE and KDB Capital seek to raise around KRW195bn (US$141m) through a secondary block deal, selling 0.71m shares (3.64% of TSO) of...

Ethan Aw

Woori Financials Placement - Almost a Clean-Up Although past Deals Haven’t Done Much

KDIC is looking to sell around half of its remaining stake in Woori Financial Group (WFG) to raise around US$160m. This is almost a clean-up trade.

Sumeet Singh

Bank Credit Weekly: Inflation, the Next Market Challenge or Opportunity?

The recent back-up in US rates may be an opportunity to reload in some Emerging Markets. A US inflation spike is the next hurdle. EM High Yield,...

Hank Calenti, CFA

KB Financial – Bigger Is Not Always Better

* Weak First Quarter To Start Off Year: KB Financial Group (105560.KS/KB.US) [KB] reported 1Q20 results of KRW 729.5 bn, up KRW 194.8 bn or 36.4%...

Thomas J. Monaco

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