Financial Performance - The bank reported a strong operating profit of SGD 4 billion (approximately RMB 22.4 billion) for the first half of 2025, representing a 3% increase compared to the same period last year, driven by robust fee income and effective cost management [1] - Net interest income remained stable year-on-year, with total loans growth offsetting the pressure from declining benchmark interest rates [1] - Non-interest income saw significant growth, with fee income increasing by 11%, primarily from wealth management, loan-related services, and credit card businesses [1] Business Segments - Corporate banking experienced a 12% decline in pre-tax profit due to lower interest rates and intensified competition for quality assets, although investment banking fees reached a record high [3] - Retail banking showed strong performance with pre-tax profit of SGD 1.1 billion (approximately RMB 6.1 billion), an 11% increase year-on-year [3] - Cross-border income remained stable, accounting for 26% of corporate banking revenue, highlighting the bank's strengths in regional trade networks [3] Asset Quality - The bank maintained a solid asset quality with a half-year credit cost of 34 basis points and a non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 1.6% as of June 30, 2025 [5] - The non-performing asset (NPA) coverage ratio stood at 88%, and when accounting for collateral, the NPL coverage ratio reached 209% [5] - The bank's prudent risk management approach is reflected in a non-NPL coverage ratio of 0.8% [5] Strategic Outlook - The bank's leadership expressed confidence in the long-term growth prospects of the ASEAN region, emphasizing its solid fundamentals and regional collaboration advantages [3] - The bank is focused on transforming its business model to create a more diversified growth structure centered on fee income, leveraging its regional connectivity and business network [3][5]

Core Insights - Investors in the Banks - Foreign sector may consider HSBC and United Overseas Bank Ltd. for potential value opportunities [1] Valuation Metrics - HSBC has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings estimate revision trend, while United Overseas Bank Ltd. has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [3] - HSBC's forward P/E ratio is 8.95, compared to UOVEY's forward P/E of 10.07, suggesting HSBC may be undervalued [5] - HSBC's PEG ratio is 1.39, while UOVEY's PEG ratio is significantly higher at 3.06, indicating better expected earnings growth relative to its valuation for HSBC [5] - HSBC's P/B ratio is 1.07, which is lower than UOVEY's P/B of 1.25, further supporting HSBC's valuation attractiveness [6] Overall Assessment - HSBC is noted for its improving earnings outlook and superior valuation metrics, making it a more attractive option for value investors compared to UOVEY [7]

Group 1 - UOB's report indicates that the recent significant weakness in the US labor market, particularly the downward revision of non-farm employment data, has led to market expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin to cut interest rates in September, reinforcing the long-term downtrend of the US dollar [1] - The report highlights that the US non-farm employment growth for the past two months was revised down by 258,000, resulting in a drop in the average employment growth over the past three months from 150,000 to only 35,000, which has convinced the market of an impending shift by the Federal Reserve [1] - UOB maintains its forecast that the Federal Reserve will cut rates by a total of 75 basis points this year, with reductions of 25 basis points expected in the FOMC meetings in September, October, and December [1] Group 2 - The report predicts that the Asian foreign exchange market will remain cautious until the third quarter of 2025 as the market reassesses the impact of tariff increases on regional economic and trade dynamics, but may stabilize in the fourth quarter with the onset of a new round of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [2] - Specifically for Singapore, following stronger-than-expected GDP performance in the second quarter, expectations for further easing by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have moderated, with additional measures likely delayed until October 2025 or January 2026 [2] - The report forecasts that the USD/SGD exchange rate will stabilize at 1.29 by the fourth quarter of 2025, and the USD/CNY exchange rate is expected to reach 7.17 in the same period [2]

Core Viewpoint - The report from China Chengxin International indicates that the rating for the first phase of Renminbi bonds issued by United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) for 2024 has been maintained at "AAA" level, reflecting the bank's strong credit profile and stable outlook for the next 12 to 18 months [1] Summary by Relevant Sections Credit Rating - UOB has received an "AAA" rating for its 2024 first phase Renminbi bonds, maintaining the previous rating conclusion [1] - The rating is supported by UOB's solid customer base, systemic importance in Singapore, and the expansion of business through cross-regional operations [1] Financial Performance - UOB has shown consistent net profit growth and possesses relatively sufficient capital, which are key credit strengths [1] Challenges - The bank faces several challenges, including potential adverse impacts from changes in the international environment, interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations on business expansion and profitability [1] - High concentration in the lending industry and downward pressure on asset quality are also noted as risks [1] Government Support - The rating considers the support from the Singapore government for UOB, which enhances its creditworthiness [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the news is that China Great Wall Asset Management Co., Ltd. has maintained the "AAA" rating for the first phase of financial bonds issued by UOB (China) Co., Ltd. based on its strong credit advantages and support from its parent company [1] - The rating reflects UOB (China)'s access to a regional operational network and comprehensive service platform shared with its parent company, as well as its mature risk management techniques and good capital adequacy [1] - Challenges faced by UOB (China) include slower-than-expected macroeconomic recovery, external environmental changes affecting profitability and asset quality, and the need for improvement in deposit structure [1] Group 2 - China Great Wall Asset Management Co., Ltd. believes that the credit level of UOB (China) will remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months [2]

Group 1 - The company will terminate its cooperation with Dahua Bank (China) in fund sales business effective from July 29, 2025, which includes subscription, purchase, regular investment, and conversion services [1] - Investors who purchased and held the company's funds through Dahua Bank (China) must complete the transfer or redemption of their fund shares by 15:00 on July 28, 2025, or their holdings will be transferred to the company's direct sales platform [1] - The company will resume normal subscription (including conversion and regular investment) services for individual investors in its bond fund starting from July 30, 2025, to meet investor demand [4] Group 2 - The company has signed an open-end fund sales agreement with several securities firms, including GF Securities, Huatai Securities, and CITIC Securities, allowing these institutions to handle cash subscription and account opening for the company's Hang Seng Technology Theme Index Fund starting from July 28, 2025 [4]

Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Singapore indicates that the Bank of Japan may continue to raise interest rates but will do so with increased caution due to political and economic factors affecting the country [1] Group 1: Economic Factors - The focus in the short term will shift to the political vulnerability of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe following consecutive electoral defeats [1] - Ongoing trade negotiations between Japan and the United States add uncertainty, particularly regarding U.S. tariff policies [1] Group 2: Monetary Policy Outlook - The Bank of Singapore expects the Bank of Japan to maintain its stance on normalizing monetary policy, potentially keeping interest rates unchanged in the July meeting [1] - A forecasted increase of 25 basis points to 0.75% is anticipated in the September meeting, with a further increase to 1.00% expected in the first quarter of 2026 [1]

Core Insights - The external environment's uncertainty has significantly tested the resilience of domestic enterprises, particularly in foreign trade, prompting a reassessment of their overseas strategies [1][2] - Despite challenges posed by tariffs and geopolitical risks, over 70% of surveyed companies have already implemented measures to mitigate these impacts, with 86% expressing a continued desire to expand internationally within the next three years [1][2] - The report highlights a shift in supply chain strategies from "China + 1" to a more robust "China + N" approach, with ASEAN emerging as a key hub for many companies [3][4] Tariff Impact and Business Confidence - The recent U.S. tariffs have affected business confidence and market expectations across various surveyed markets, yet the majority of companies remain committed to their international expansion plans [1][2] - In 2024, 78% of surveyed Chinese enterprises reported improved performance compared to the previous year, although rising operational costs (44%), labor costs (35%), and economic fluctuations (32%) have impacted their confidence [2] Supply Chain and Market Strategy - Companies are increasingly focusing on localizing, diversifying, and digitizing their supply chains to enhance resilience, with one-third of respondents already diversifying their supplier sources [3] - ASEAN is viewed as a critical overseas market, with 40% of companies identifying it as the most important procurement market and 37% as a key terminal market for future investments [3][4] Future Outlook and Regional Dynamics - The completion of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 negotiations is expected to benefit more enterprises, as China continues to be ASEAN's largest trading partner [3] - The shift in Chinese enterprises towards ASEAN is seen as a strategic move to establish a global presence, with Singapore emerging as a preferred base for international expansion [4][5] - The competitive landscape in ASEAN is evolving, driven by the entry of Chinese companies and the pressures from U.S. tariffs, which may enhance the region's economic integration and development [5]

Core Viewpoint - Grupo Supervielle (SUPV) is currently viewed as a more attractive investment option compared to United Overseas Bank Ltd. (UOVEY) for value investors, based on various financial metrics and earnings outlook [1][3][6] Valuation Metrics - SUPV has a forward P/E ratio of 8.08, while UOVEY's forward P/E is 10.36, indicating that SUPV is potentially undervalued [5] - The PEG ratio for SUPV is 2.41, compared to UOVEY's PEG ratio of 3.15, suggesting that SUPV offers better value when considering expected earnings growth [5] - SUPV's P/B ratio stands at 1.09, whereas UOVEY has a P/B ratio of 1.29, further supporting the notion that SUPV is a more favorable investment [6] Earnings Outlook - SUPV has experienced a stronger improvement in its earnings outlook compared to UOVEY, contributing to its higher Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) versus UOVEY's 4 (Sell) [3][6] - The solid earnings outlook for SUPV is a key factor in its superior value grade of A, while UOVEY holds a value grade of C [6]

Group 1 - The third China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo was held in Beijing from July 16 to 20, where UOB released the "UOB Business Outlook Survey 2025 (Mainland China Edition)" [1] - The report identifies three main challenges faced by domestic enterprises: rising supply costs, procurement challenges, and difficulties in working capital management [1] - Geopolitical fluctuations have impacted supply chains to varying degrees, prompting a shift in supply chain strategies from "China+1" to a more robust "China+N" approach [1] Group 2 - ASEAN is viewed as the most important overseas procurement market, terminal market, and future investment destination by domestic enterprises, with Malaysia being the most favored [2] - The digitalization of supply chains is accelerating, with one-third of surveyed enterprises utilizing digital platforms for inventory management and a rise in digital applications in logistics and supply chain management from 35% to 42% [2] - Enterprises are seeking support through collaborations with industry associations, state-owned enterprises, or large companies, as well as connections to suitable technology and solution providers [2]