Zhitong Finance and Economics learned that CITIC ** released a research report saying that the Bank of East Asia (00023) benefited from the market interest rate environment in the first half of 2023 and the recovery of business activities after the full reopening of customs between Hong Kong and the mainland, and its performance improved significantly. Considering the significant improvement in the company's operating performance, the bank adjusted its 2023-24 EPS** to 1HK$98 2HK$25 (originally**1.)HK$41 1HK$8), adding an EPS** of 2 for 2025HK$38. The company released its 2023 interim report, with operating income of 102 in the first half of the yearHK$800 million, net profit attributable to the parent company of 26HK$400 million, +266%/+75.9%;The non-performing loan ratio was +16bps from the end of the previous year to 256%。
The main points of the report are as follows:
The operating performance has rebounded significantly.
BEA's 2023H1 operating income was +266% (10. year-on-year in 2022.)26%);Net profit attributable to the parent company was +75 year-on-year9% (-17 year-on-year in 2022.)29%)。From the perspective of profit factors: 1) On the income side, the company's 2023H1 net interest income, net service fee and commission income, and other non-interest income were +27 year-on-year99%/+0.69%/-7.90%。The sharp increase in net interest was mainly due to the recovery of interest rates in Hong Kong, ChinaOn the non-interest side, BEA's net fee and commission income was broadly flatOther non-interest income decreased due to one-time factors. 2) On the expenditure side, the company's 2023H1 cost-to-income ratio is 447%, an improvement of 9 year-on-year6pcts, the Bank of East Asia's continued improvement in operational efficiency offset the company's investment in talent, sales force and digital capabilities. 3) On the provision side, BEA's impairment loss in 2023H1 was +169%, of which loan impairment loss was +302%, which is still more prudent to deal with risks.
The size of assets and liabilities decreased slightly, and interest margins benefited from a high interest rate environment.
1) The scale of assets and liabilities decreased slightly, and the total assets and liabilities of BEA at the end of the first half of 2023 were -12%/-1.5%, of which the total loans and deposits were -3 compared with the beginning of the year2%/-3.5%, and the total amount of loans in the mainland was -9 compared with the beginning of the year0%, credit growth converged mainly because the company prioritized reducing the risk of corporate loan portfolio and improving the efficiency of risk-weighted assets, further reducing its exposure to the commercial real estate sector. 2) Spreads benefit from a high interest rate environment. The company's 2023H1 spread is 203%, +15bps compared with the previous year, of which the estimated yield of interest-bearing assets was +93bps compared with the second half of 2022 to 440%, and the estimated cost ratio of interest-bearing liabilities was +96bps to 300%, mainly benefiting from the continuous rise in US dollar interest rates in the past year, driving the interest rates in the Hong Kong market higher.
Non-interest income remained largely stable.
1) Stable net income from service fees and commissions. The company's net income from service fees and commissions in 2023H1 was +07%, basically flat, of which net income from loan business and third-party policy sales were +173%/+15.7%, mainly benefiting from the economic recovery and resumption of customs clearance between Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. Wealth management revenue of private banks improved, and the number of new private banking customers recorded double-digit growth, driven by the growth of mainland customers, but the commission of investment products and ** brokerage fee was -23 year-on-year in the same period7%/-33.1%, mainly due to the sluggish market sentiment and the low investment activity of customers. 2) Other non-interest income decreased at one time due to the impact of the base. The company's other non-interest income in 2023H1 was -79%, mainly due to the company's other operating income in August 2022**Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance*** decreased by -547%, excluding this factor, other non-interest income was +130%。
Asset quality still needs to be repaired, and provision coverage ratios have declined.
1) The NPL rate has increased slightly, but the NPL rate in the Mainland has improved. At the end of the first half of 2023, BEA's non-performing loan ratio was +016pct to 256%。Among them, the non-performing loan ratio in Hong Kong is +076pct to 147%;The non-performing loan ratio in the Mainland was -0 compared to the end of 20226pct to 528%;In other regions, the non-performing loan ratio is less than 1%. 2) Provision coverage ratio declined. At the end of the first half of 2023, BEA's loan impairment charge was -18 compared to the end of the previous year7%, and the provision coverage ratio was -10 compared with the end of the previous year7pcts to 396%, of which Hong Kong was -27 compared with the end of the previous year5pcts to 382%, the mainland compared with the end of the previous year -79pcts to 355%。
Risk Factors:Macroeconomic growth exceeded expectations, and asset quality deteriorated sharplyNet interest margin levels fell more than expected;The implementation of the real estate stabilization policy is less than expected;Adjustment of industry regulatory policies.