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

*New Mainland China Deal Doesn’t Pass Smell Test: Link REIT (823.HK) [Link] announced the acquisition of a 50% stake in Qibao Vanke Plaza (QVP) - a retail shopping mall in Minhang, Shanghai, for CNY 2.8 bn. QVP will remain the shopping mall operator, while Link will have an equal number of board seats and committee representatives as the shopping mall operator. While its unclear if the numbers make any sense given the rental reversion and massive re-tenanting that would have to take place to cover the 3.0% plus per annum CNY financing cost, the lack of control over this property also raises significant risks for Link; and*Fundamental Risks Remain: Link remains in a real quandary - it continues to operate at a loss. Losses were attributed to negative fair value marks. While results on an operating basis were positive, the trend unfortunately remains negative for Link – declining HKD 564 mn (15.1%). The poor operating results were driven by weaker Hong Kong rental income which declined HKD 186 mn (5.4%) HOH; and a HKD 55 mn (9.8%) decline in mainland Chinese property-related revenues – begging the question of why mainland China acquisitions now?

*New Mainland China Deal Doesn’t Pass Smell Test: Link REIT (823.HK) [Link] announced the acquisition of a 50% stake in Qibao Vanke Plaza (QVP) - a retail shopping mall in Minhang, Shanghai, for CNY 2.8 bn. QVP will remain the shopping mall operator, while Link will have an equal number of board seats and committee representatives as the shopping mall operator. While its unclear if the numbers make any sense given the rental reversion and massive re-tenanting that would have to take place to cover the 3.0% plus per annum CNY financing cost, the lack of control over this property also raises significant risks for Link; and*Fundamental Risks Remain: Link remains in a real quandary - it continues to operate at a loss. Losses were attributed to negative fair value marks. While results on an operating basis were positive, the trend unfortunately remains negative for Link – declining HKD 564 mn (15.1%). The poor operating results were driven by weaker Hong Kong rental income which declined HKD 186 mn (5.4%) HOH; and a HKD 55 mn (9.8%) decline in mainland Chinese property-related revenues – begging the question of why mainland China acquisitions now?

Link REIT

Link REIT – Same Old, Same Old