ETF Watch – OOO (Betashares Oil)

We continue to track the Betashares oil ETF OOO.AXW

Oil prices have rallied from the recent low after this week’s largest inventory drop of 2017. EIA data has revealed U.S. crude stocks fell by 5.2M barrels. In addition, OPEC supply cuts have been agreed to by Iraq and Algeria joined Saudi Arabia.

Concerns regarding the abundant added supply of US shale oil will keep a lid on any meaningful rally, but we may see a bounce from the recent low. Investors should run stop losses under the trend low on both ETF and individual stock names.

Our best performing energy trade has been the long ORG position. However, due to the extended price rally since the Algo Engine buy signal, we’re now inclined to take profit in ORG and consider the OOO.AXW ETF as a replacement.

Chart – Betahsares Oil ETF

 

 

Dow Jones Index & US Banks

US Banks have under performed in the last 3 months. With the S&P500 up almost 4% and the banks up on average around 1.5%.

Q1 bank earning reports showed bank loans shrinking since late 2016.

This is likely caused by the first-quarter 2017 GDP growth that was anemic at .7%. Investors are expecting GDP to grow 3% or better during the remainder of 2017, we’re not so sure.

Bank earnings will do well in a environment of 2.5 to 3% plus GDP, anything less than 1% is likely to be problematic. While improving unemployment rates and the Fed’s intentions to raise rates this year, suggest the US economy is doing okay, the slowdown in lending, slowing GDP, rising loan defaults, tighter lending standards may suggest otherwise.

Charts – Dow Jones Index

 

 

 

Bank Results – Weak Revenue Trends

The soft underlying revenue trends which impacted the other major bank
results over the last week were obvious in CBA’s Q3 result. Offsetting the weak revenue trends in the major banks has been a strong performance on asset quality.

We see downside risks building around regulatory change & economic weakness leading to higher bad debts.

CBA FY18 forecasts net profit to remain flat at $9.8b, EPS $5.50, placing the stock on a  forward yield of 4.9%.

The Algo Engine has triggered a buy signal on the higher low formation in ANZ. We’re happy to look at this from a  very short term perspective but remain on the short side of the banks and we’re inclined to sell any technical bounce from the current levels.

NOTE: The Australian Government announced the introduction of the Bank levy in its 2017 budget. Based on the Treasury estimates this levy will raise $6.2billion which will reduce earnings by up to 5% for the majors’.

Chart – CBA

 

IPL -1H Earnings

IPL reported 1H earnings of $152m, slightly ahead of market expectations.

IPL’s outlook was the most positive it has been in years. Although, global fertiliser prices have started to soften, with seasonal demand peak in April/May.  US ammonia prices to are forecast to trade within the US$300/t to US$330/t. A weaker AUD offers a some upside to IPL’s earnings.

FY18 forecast revenue $4b, EBIT $640m, EPS $0.25, DPS $0.15, placing the stock on a forward yield of 3.7%.

Underlying earnings growth now tracking in the 10 – 20% range.

Chart – IPL

 

James Hardie – FY17 Earnings Review

We forecast JHX FY17 NPAT of US$250m vs Management’s guidance of US$245-255.

On FY17 numbers JHX is looking expensive. FY17 EPS of $0.56 places the stock on a PE of 29x and a 2.4% yield.

Based on the current share price valuation, the market is looking for a 30% lift in underlying earnings into FY18, to support an EPS target of $0.72 and a reduction in the forward PE to 22x.

The above assumptions seem overly optimistic.

Chart – JHX

CSL – Outlook

CSL’s FY17 NPAT guidance implies US$1.38b net profit after tax.

The company has purchased 1.4m shares during 2HFY17, of the $500 million share buy-back program.

With the stock price now trading 28x FY18 earnings, much of the good news is priced in.  FY18 revenue $7.2b, EBIT $2.2b, forecast net profit up 20% to $1.7b, EPS US$3.60, DPS US$1.75 places the stock on a forward yield of 1.8%.

We remain attracted CSL and look for the next Algo Engine buy signal to provide a discounted entry point.

Chart – CSL

 

 

 

 

Westpac – 1H17

WBC has announced 1H17 cash earnings of $4b  which is slightly below market consensus. The 2H16 dividend remains steady at $0.94

Revenue was weaker than expected yet in line with recent trends in the other banking names.

NIM fell to 2.07% with 4bpts decline due to higher deposit costs.

FY18 forecast net profit $8.2b, EPS $2.40, DPS $1.88 placing the stock on a forward yield of 5.6%

Chart – WBC

 

 

 

China’s Credit System

China’s credit system has expanded quickly and there are some concerning signs beginning to emerge. In particular,  ballooning assets in Chinese wealth management products could create another credit crisis.

As soon as we see investors opting to not rollover existing investments due to rising  risks and defaults, the lack of liquidity will expose under performing  investments. 

Wealth management products, or WMPs, have swelled to $4 trillion in assets in the last few years against a $34 trillion banking system. This well exceeds the mismatch at the peak of the US subprime collapse.

China Bonds vs Stocks
Chart – Yuan Short Term Rates