HSBC’s future should be clarified as soon as the US and China come back to the negotiation table. This will not happen before the US elections are over. In the meantime, HSBC will continue to be instrumentalised and its share price will remain under pressure.
Companies: HSBC Holdings Plc
The group’s earnings surprise was driven by goodwill impairments. On the negative side, management upgraded, albeit slightly, its full-year loan impairments guidance and warns about revenue and CET1 pressure. It also reckoned that the tensions between the US and China will impact the group.
Beijing’s forced implementation of the Hong Kong security law threatens the region’s financial hub status. This is a potential game-changer for HSBC but it does not seem to come as a surprise for the group as confirmed by the acceleration of its investments in China or its efforts to secure a leading position on the RMB.
As expected, the first quarter results saw strong COVID-19 and oil prices related provisioning efforts. However, it is worth mentioning that the group’s projections are based on a rapid recovery in Asia. This is what makes HSBC potentially defensive. However, this is a best case scenario in our view.
The quarterly underlying performance came in line with expectations. The expected Coronavirus-related impairments and the temporary extra capital consumption look limited. The related revenue losses remain unknown but are expected to be progressively offset by organic growth. The announced acceleration in the group’s repositioning comes at the right time, confirming management’s confidence in Asia’s longer-term potential and enabling the group to improve its capital usage ahead of the implementation of Basel 3.
The third-quarter results demonstrated the group’s ability to navigate through less supportive conditions. Management’s warning targets consensus’ too optimistic expectations as profitability improvement is no longer on the agenda for the time being. However, it does not mean that the current decent profitability levels are at risk.
The quarterly results demonstrated the group’s earnings resilience in a context of ongoing top-line pressure. Unfortunately, in HSBC’s case, quality comes at a price.
The group missed expectations by a wide margin. However, this was largely attributable to adverse market conditions, not to troubles in Asia, as evidenced by management’s comments on the lack of a radical move need and the reiteration of its mid-term objectives.
The group posted a mixed set of results showing efficiency gains but, at the same time, a relatively disappointing top line with strong fee income pressure offset by elevated trading gains.
The updated business plan shows stronger-than-expected cost control and marginally lower RWA intensity, which are likely to translate into consensus upgrades.
Underlying quarterly trends showed good revenue generation notably in terms of fee income generation but largely offset by cost inflation. However, management remains committed to delivering positive jaws (revenues growing faster than costs) over the full year. It announced a unique $2bn share buy-back as it foresees good growth opportunities.
Underlying quarterly trends were in line with expectations. Capital distribution will remain on a status quo mode until management gets more clarity on pending regulatory changes.
Quarterly results remained depressed by the group’s restructuring and investment efforts. On the positive side, the group managed to increase its revenues in spite of subdued market conditions while asset quality trends remained supportive.
The quarterly results were in line with expectations, continuing to enjoy efficiency gains and accelerated deleveraging. The group will buy back shares in H2 for a total consideration of $2bn, thus offsetting the dilution of the scrip dividend. Although neutral from a valuation stand point, we view such an announcement as an optimistic signal vis-à-vis future capital generation and the impact of still pending legacy issues.
The group released a strong set of underlying results boosted by seasonality and a benign cost of risk. The cost savings programme is on track. The equity position improved markedly driven by earnings retention, ahead of plan RWA reduction and FX.
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Cenkos’s first half results demonstrated the benefits of its flexible operating model and strength of its client relationships. While challenges related to COVID-19 are set to continue, Cenkos’s focus is on growth companies and its fund-raising year-to-date has had a greater emphasis on corporates financing M&A and growth opportunities rather than for defensive purposes. This should prove more sustainable although, as always, the timing of transactions in the encouraging pipeline reported remains uncertain.
Companies: Cenkos Securities plc
Following on quickly from its impressive full year results, these interim results confirm that our confidence for growth in the Program Management business was not misplaced.Contracted Premium increased 95% YoY (and 12% ahead of December 2019) to $925m –a stone's throw away from the $1bn 2020 guidance set in 2018. At the same time, Gross Written Premium (GWP) grew 42.6% to £247.2m, resulting in Economic EBITDA turning positive, at £0.8m compared to a loss of £0.3m in 1H19
Companies: Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Ltd.
Record’s Q221 trading update confirmed that its new $8bn dynamic hedging mandate has started and that, prior to this, assets under management equivalent (AUME) expanded by 4% in the quarter. The group continues to work on developing new products and is deploying technology to enhance its ability to deliver these and existing products cost effectively.
Companies: Record plc
Avation is a lessor of 46 commercial aircraft to a diversified airline client base. This morning, the group has released results for the 12-months to 30 June 2020, which illustrate the challenges faced by its customer base as a result of Covid-19, as well as the corrective actions taken by the Board that have resulted in profitability being maintained in the year as a whole. Loan repayment deferrals of c.$24.4m were obtained in the period, in comparison to $13.1m short-term rent deferrals being granted to airline customers and thus emphasising management's focus on liquidity during an unprecedented period for global airlines. Avation again reports that it is currently reviewing alternatives in relation to the 6.5% senior notes due in May 2021. Whilst at this point our forecasts remain under review, and near term challenges remain across the industry, we believe that demand for aircraft from lessors such as Avation will increase in time as a result of airlines being even more reliant upon aircraft leasing firms due to the retirement of older aircraft during 2020 in combination with much weaker balance sheets that are unable to support direct aircraft purchases.
Companies: Avation PLC
Primary Health Properties (LON:PHP) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that holds a portfolio of 510 primary health facilities in the UK (92% of the portfolio by value) and Ireland (8%). The business model is to manage the properties for rental income and to grow the portfolio over time. The
Companies: PHP PP51 PHPRF
Cenkos Securities plc has terminated coverage of Record Plc. Our previous recommendation (BUY) and forecasts can no longer be relied upon. Please contact Cenkos for further information.
What’s new: Today’s trading update reveals 17% rise in assets under management (AuM), double digit revenue growth, and an increasing operating margin as the business scales. The outlook is positive. Highlights are: 12.6% rise in 1H Group Revenues to £11.0m (1H last year: £9.7m); 21.9% rise in 1H adj operating profit to £5.0m (1H last year: £4.1m); 17.4% rise over 6 months in AUM to £7.8bn on 30 September 2020, n.b. From 31 March 2020 the WMA balanced index rose 11.6% to 4510; - Market movements added 12.5% to AUM (i.e. Tatton outperformed WMA); - 1H net inflows of £328.1bn were 4.9% of opening AUM (i.e. c 10% annualised net inflows); 3.0% rise in Paradigm Mortgage Services member firms to 1,591 2.5% rise in Paradigm Consulting member firms Interims will be announced on Wednesday, 18 November 2020
Companies: Tatton Asset Management Plc
As expected following the US banks’ releases, Barclays’ third quarter results saw a sharp reduction in provisions build-up while the emergence of delinquencies has been delayed by the State’s supporting measures. Management continues to expect a reduction in the cost of risk next year. It remains to be seen if this guidance is capable of withstanding new lockdowns or a no-deal Brexit.
Companies: Barclays PLC
Tatton has reported an in-line H1 financial performance: revenue totalled £11.0m (vs N+1Se £10.9m) and £5.0m adj. EBIT (50% N+1S FY21e). AuM grew by 3.4% to £7.8bn as net inflows continued throughout H1 (+£328m) – a positive performance given the backdrop. Paradigm, particularly in Mortgages, has been resilient post-lockdown. Having delivered 50% of our earnings forecast for FY21e, there is potential for upside. However, we leave our forecasts unchanged and a margin for safety as we remain alive to potential external risks/volatility.
ANGLE plc (AGL.L): Acceptance of FDA submission | Feedback plc (FDBK.L*): Partnership agreement | Open Orphan (ORPH.L): Human Challenge Study Model contract with UK Government
Companies: AGL FDBK ORPH
The interims confirmed that Covid-19 was minimally disruptive operationally in H1 20 and, ironically, may have improved both of R&Q’s divisions’ mediumterm trading outlooks. As the pandemic and other industry events have generated significant losses for insurers, they have created the current ‘hardening’ market driving demand for Legacy and Program Management.
Whilst there are some bright spots, such as payments companies, which are beneficiaries of the shift to online shopping, fears about the potential impact of COVID-19 have hit valuations across much of the financial sector. The fall in Polar Capital Global Financials Trust’s (PCFT’s) NAV reflects this situation.
Companies: Polar Capital Global Fincls Trust
There was an eclectic mix of property companies to feature in the top price movers for September. Top of the tree was private rented sector and residential development specialist Sigma Capital Group, with a 34.2% rise. The group launched a £1bn joint venture with EQT Real Estate, the real estate platform of global investment firm EQT, to deliver 3,000 private rental homes in Greater London. Micro-cap investor Panther Securities also hit double-digit gains, while Macau Property Opportunities saw an uplift in its share price after announcing debt refinancing and a disposal. CLS Holdings, the investor in offices in Germany, France and the UK, continued to see a recovery in its share price – which has risen 15.1% in the last three months. Off the back of solid results, Berlin residential landlord Phoenix Spree Deutschland saw its share price gain 7.2%. Schroder REIT’s share price rose 6.6% in the month as it embarked on a share buyback programme, while Irish commercial property investor Yew Grove REIT also saw positive shareholder reaction to amending its investment strategy to increase its target loan to value ratio to 40%.
Companies: SUPR DIGS CRC PSDL ASEI TPON RLE UKCM BREI BCPT RGL SIR SLI TOWN CAL
Life sciences is one of Mercia’s areas of focus and investment expertise. Seven of Mercia’s top 20 holdings at 31 March 2020 were in life sciences, valued at £29m in aggregate or 33% of total portfolio value (all of which had originated through Mercia’s third-party managed funds), with another c 40 earlier-stage life sciences investments across its third-party managed funds. COVID-19 has accelerated the opportunity for a new generation of novel and recombinant vaccines. This explosion of potential new treatments will require new diagnostics and bio-manufacturing support to scale supply once they are approved. These are areas where Mercia is already invested.
Companies: Mercia Asset Management PLC
The most pleasing aspect of Tatton’s trading update for the six months ending 30 Sep 2020 (H1 2021) was how robust its fundamental offering to clients (financial advisers) has proven to be in highly uncertain market conditions. It continued to attract strong net inflows into its asset management business while also growing its base of IFA consulting and mortgage services clients. The prospect of beating our previous FY21 forecasts looks promising. Longerterm growth prospects also look strong. We do, however, remain wary of the potential impact of further large market dips. For now, we maintain our fundamental valuation of 300p per share but see room for significant upside on that mark if Tatton continues to deliver.
