China Credit Weekly
Mar 7 - 14, 2018

On 10 March, the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress, which will conclude on 20 March, announced measures that will push central state-owned enterprises to both continue with deleveraging and increasing their focus on profitability and operational efficiency – a development which we consider to be credit positive.

We also look at Chinese banks, noting the considerable progress made in decelerating the growth of financial leverage in the economy in 2017.


IN THIS EDITION

Research »

Rating Events and Announcements »

Moody's Events »

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We expect the authorities will maintain their tight policy stance in 2018, as containment of risks in the financial system represents a key priority.

Our report on China’s and India’s investments in renewable power looks at the long-term credit benefits for the two countries – also the two largest global investors in this sector. Specifically, both will benefit from a steep fall in the sector’s production costs, thereby improving energy security, boosting growth potential, and reducing the carbon intensity of their economies.

Finally, the latest edition of our Renminbi Bonds Monitor looks at the continued tightening of liquidity in China’s domestic bond markets, which we expect will lead more high-yield issuers to access the offshore market. At the same time, the increased responsibilities of bond trustees will improve transparency and investor protection on the onshore market.

Best regards,

MinYe

Min Ye
Managing Director – Regional Head Asia Pacific

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Research

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) - China: Government’s policy measures support further deleveraging for central SOEs
[13 Mar] The policy measures that the Chinese central government disclosed during the first session of the 13th National People's Congress are credit positive for central state-owned enterprises as they will push such entities to both continue with deleveraging and increasing their focus on profitability and operational efficiency.

Auto ABS - Asia Pacific: Sector update, Q4 2017
[12 Mar] Auto asset-backed securities (ABS) will perform solidly in 2018 in the markets of China, Australia and Japan, although some divergence will also be evident for each individual market, reflecting differences in collateral performance and economic conditions.

Banks - China: Moderation in financial leverage in 2017 lends support to bank credit standing
[8 Mar] China made considerable progress in decelerating the growth of financial leverage in the economy in 2017 and the authorities are likely to maintain their tight policy stance in 2018 because the containment of risks in the financial system is a key priority.

Renminbi Bonds Monitor: March 2018
[8 Mar] Tightened levels of liquidity in China's domestic bond markets will lead more high-yield issuers to access the offshore market, while the increased responsibilities of bond trustees will also improve transparency and investor protection on the onshore market.

Government of China and India: Investment in renewable power will bring long-run credit benefits
[7 Mar] China and India, the two largest global investors in renewable energy, will benefit from a steep fall in the sector's production costs, thereby improving their energy security, boosting their growth potential, while also reducing the carbon intensity of their economies.

Asian Liquidity Stress Indicator: Asian LSI increased to 26.1% in February from 24.7% in January
[7 Mar] Moody's Asian LSI reading also remained above the long-term average of 23.2%, highlighting ongoing weakness in liquidity for many companies in Asia, but was roughly in line with the trailing 12-month average of 26.4%.

Moody’s Credit Outlook on 8 and 12 March

[12 Mar] For India’s banks, resolution of Bhushan Steel bankruptcy would be credit positive; Revised Trans-Pacific Partnership is credit positive for all member nations, but less so without the US; Russian central bank proposes tighter capital requirements for some consumer loans, a credit positive.

[8 Mar] New South Wales and Victoria will benefit from Australian government’s full ownership of electricity company; China’s new asset-liability management rules for insurers are credit positive; Proposed US aluminum tariff would raise input costs for beverage companies, a credit negative.

Rating Events and Announcements

[14 Mar] Moody's assigns definitive rating to SAIC-GMAC auto loan ABS in China:
Rongteng 2018-1 Retail Auto Mortgage Loan Securitization
[13 Mar] Moody's assigns Ba2 to Greenland Holding Group's proposed CNY notes
[13 Mar] Moody's assigns provisional (P)Baa3 to Beijing Capital Group's guaranteed MTN program
[13 Mar] Moody's assigns definitive ratings to Dongfeng Nissan Auto Finance auto loan ABS in China: VINZ 2018-1 Retail Auto Loan Securitization Trust
[12 Mar] Moody's revises Nan Fung's rating outlook to stable from negative
[12 Mar] Moody's upgrades Class B Asset Backed Notes of Driver China six Trust
[9 Mar] Moody's assigns first-time B2 CFR to Zhengzhou Zhongrui Industrial Group
[7 Mar] Moody's revises outlook on Beijing Capital Land and its subsidiaries to stable from negative
[7 Mar] Moody's revises outlook on Beijing Capital Group's Baa3 ratings to stable from negative

Moody's Events

Moody’s Webcast - Zhengzhou Zhongrui Industrial Group Co., Ltd., 14 March 2018
Asia Pacific, 14 March

Click below to access teleconference / webcast replay. (*Free registration is required)

Moody’s Global Teleconference/Webcast Series (APAC) - Moody's proposes introduction of a counterparty risk rating

Moody’s Webcast – Project Finance Default and Recovery Performance

CONTACTS
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Maria Lee (李颂文)
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