| |
| |
|
Investing Information |
|
|
|
Scots Beat Yanks in China Bank Deal
With visions of an ATM in every neighborhood in China, foreign banks and investment firms are queuing up to join the "China Club." Moneybags Communism The initiation fee for the "China Club" is straightforward and pure moneybags communism: invest cold hard cash in its largely insolvent state-owned banks, put your reputation on the line, reassure nervous foreign investors about upcoming IPO's, and share your risk management, corporate banking and other expertise with eager Chinese executives. The benefits of membership in the China Club are alluring but mostly maybes. Perhaps you will get some of your money back by underwriting an IPO or working in China with the bank in the areas of wealth management, credit cards or corporate banking. But the temptation is too much too resist and they are lining up for membership. Bank of America, the German bank Allianz, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, UBS, and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) have all agreed to or are in ongoing negotiations to take equity stakes in China's big four state-owned banks. There is another twist to the tale. Membership fees are not the same for everyone but are negotiated one by one and this can leave a sweet or sour taste depending on the deal that's cut. Paying More for Uncertainty The recent deal inked by the Royal Bank of Scotland led consortium is the best so far and beats the well publicized Bank of America deal hands down. Bank of America purchased a 9% stake in China Construction Bank for $3 billion. The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) invested $1.6 billion for a 5% stake and brought along Merrill Lynch and Hong Kong tycoon Li-Ka Shing along to share the risks bringing the total investment to $3.1 billion for a combined 10% stake. The RBS group also paid less than Bank of America which paid 1.2 times stated book value. Even better than putting up less cash and getting slightly better value, the Scots were able to extract a life preserver from their Chinese partners. While details have not been released, the RBS group will get some of their money back if there are black holes in the books, if the IPO scheduled for early next year is cancelled or if the banks just don't see eye to eye. Thank You. May I Have Another The question is will membership fees decrease over time or get steeper? Goldman Sachs and Allianz are in talks to pay about $1 billion for a stake in China's largest state-owned bank - the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. China favored UBS is also discussing an investment of $500 million in the Bank of China to cement its lead underwriting role in next years IPO. This rush by foreign banks to get a piece of the China action should make shareholders pause. Just like when you join the local country club, there are unforeseen risks and expenses. Soon the monthly dues are raised and then there are the dreaded "special assessments" for new greens, a swimming pool or a new irrigation system. Risk, Return - Maybe? China's large state-owned banks have an enormous burden of non-performing loans made over the years to poorly performing state-owned companies. With a small minority stake, foreign banks will have very limited say about the management of their partner bank. As the old banking adage goes, if you owe the bank a little money, the bank owns you, if you owe the bank a lot of money, you own the bank. For investment banks, the payoff seems even slimmer. Investment banking and underwriting fees are notoriously slim in Asia and IPO after market appreciation will have to be substantial to enjoy a risk-adjusted return. And don't even think of missing a payment. Last year Citigroup was chosen to underwrite a $5 billion listing for China Construction Bank after offering to purchase an equity stake. It was later dropped like a hot potato after failing to follow through. I hope all of these banks make lots of money in China - but it may not be wise to trade billions of hard earned capital for a maybe. Carl Delfeld is head of the global advisory firm Chartwell Partners and editor of the Chartwell Advisor and the Asia Investor Intelligence newsletters. He served on the executive board of the Asian Development Bank and is the author of The New Global Investor (iUniverse:2005). For more information go to http://www.chartwelladvisor.com or call 877-221-1496
MORE RESOURCES:
Investing - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The American Age of Inflation is Over "The American Age of Inflation is finished." So says economist Robert Samuelson in his December 2nd Washington Post column. Index Trading Weekly Update Here is a sample of the last newsletter:SP500 Last Signal Comment We just had a new sell signal last friday on june 10th 2005. As expected we faced strong resistance at 1200 and it ended up with a double top as stated in previous issues. Going Offshore For Asset Protection There are a number of key reasons why individuals and businesses consider going offshore for asset protection purposes.The asset protection advantages the offshore world offers extend from protecting a business from excessive taxation to opening doors to enable wealth and asset enrichment via the utilisation of offshore investment opportunities. Chinas Great Missed Opportunity While a U.S. Is Starting A Business For Me? What To Consider Before Starting A Business Do you have the right temperament?Starting a small business is one of the most serious decisions that a person can take in life. Positively, it often results in higher income levels than one could achieve as an employee together with the unique buzz of being your own boss but conversely it also can be stressful, will demand longer working hours and will probably reduce your ability to take long holidays. June 2005: Weather Forecasts for Weather Traders If Johannes Kepler, the renowned 17th century astronomer and discoverer of the planetary laws of motion, could speak from the heavenlies, he might have a few words of wisdom to share with the National Weather Service. Although Kepler's name is not normally associated with meteorology, he was quite the weather forecaster in his day. Trading Tips No 3: Online Trading and Investing: Buy, Hold, and Hope So you have learned how to trade the markets by mastering a few trading tools like Moving Averages, Channels, Stochastics, MACD, or RSI - that is a great accomplishment achieved by only a few. However, having the tools and rules to trade markets successfully, year in and year out, is only half of the challenge. The Switzerland of Asia Shines In many respects, Singapore is the Switzerland of Asia.Begun in 1819 as a British trading colony, the Republic of Singapore was founded in 1965 under the leadership of the current Prime Minister's father, Mr. Now is the Time to Invest for Your Retirement! Yes, it's the time we've all been waiting for?tax season! We know you've gotten a jump start and filed early this year, right? Of course not, but rather than dreading this part of the year, we should all look to it as a point for new opportunities. Many readers don't realize that even though the New Year has come, they can invest money as if it were still 2004! That's correct, it's not too late. Porters Five Forces Analysis If you've ever listened to Warren Buffett talk about investing, you've heard him mention the idea of a company's moat. The moat is a simple way of describing a company's competitive advantages. Which IRA Is Best For You? An Ira is one of the greatest ways to save on taxes currently and accumulate money for the future.For individuals three types of IRA's will normally come under consideration. When NOT to Invest Unfortunately, many investors who are seduced by the lure of easy money try to become "active" investors before they have the skills, the resources, or the appropriate intellectual framework to do so.This is not to say that investing in stocks is extraordinarily difficult . Waiting 20 Years Can Cost You Millions - Dont Wait Start Today Many Young people live for Today. They really don't fully understand the power of compound interest. How to Setup a Profitable Trading Business In my opinion trading is the most exciting and best way to earn a living in the world. With just a small amount of equipment and space you can do it from anywhere on the planet. Everybody Wants to Know How to Invest Those unfamiliar with the process of making and managing investments often have more than a few trepidations about investing in general. They figure that, since they do not know how to invest, they will never learn. Get Wealthy With the Rule of 72 When it comes time to retire how many people would like to have a nest egg that is 2 or 3 or even 4 times larger than what they have? With an answer so obvious allow me to explain how you can make it happen for yourself.First we'll explain the Rule of 72. Investing & Online Stock & Share Trading: Money & Risk Management - Atkinson Portfolio Planner (1) This article was originally featured in Daryl Guppy's 'Tutorials in Applied Technical Analysis', voted no 1 trading newsletter in Australia by Shares magazine & no 4 in the world by US Stocks & Commodities magazine and is reprinted here with Daryl's permission.In addition to developing sound technical analysis skills, strong trading psychology coupled with well thought-out money and risk management are also vital key secrets for success when trading or investing in the market. Why You Need To Buy and Sell Gold Coins (Part 1) The Value of Gold in a Era of Paper Assets, Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds.. Going Against the Conventional Investment Wisdom First of all, I want to give everyone the disclaimer that I am not a registered financial advisor and I don't play one on TV. Therefore, I cannot legally provide financial advice and I will not do so. The Cost of Green Eggs and Ham Young readers know that March 4th is the birthday of Dr. Seuss.
|
| Good Credit Loans | home | site map | School Bus Clothing | Florida Pool Heating |
| © 2006 |
