Check out how SGX will benefit from Basel III requirements

A debt-free balance sheet brings confidence to SGX.

According to Maybank Kim Eng, new Basel rules on banking capital requirement will play into SGX’s favor, as will new international regulatory and risk management standards. Management is confident of being among the earliest exchanges/ clearing houses globally to meet them. Part of it stems from SGX’s ample capital deployed into its clearing houses and a debt-free balance sheet.  

Here's more from Maybank Kim Eng:

One key thrust for management is to achieve qualifying statuses in 2013. New international regulatory and risk management standards have been set by the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS).

With sufficient capital, management is confident of being amongst the earliest exchanges globally to qualify for the various standards. It is also seeking formal recognition from the US Commodity  Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and Derivatives Clearing Organisation (DCO) in the US in 2013.

Basel III requirements to benefit SGX. New regulation now requires banks to maintain capital for their exposures to central counterparties. Banks which clear through a qualifying central counterparty will benefit from lower capital requirements.

SGX has achieved this since 14 January 2013, which will enable members to benefit from this, hence further enhancing SGX as a marketplace of choice. 

No major surprises. 2QJune13 results were broadly in-line with expectations. Net profit for the quarter came in at SGD76.3m, which is up 17% yoy, bringing 1st-half to a 2% decline yoy. Quarterly dividend remains at SGD4 cents/ share.

We continue to believe the market has under-estimated the potential of SGX, and expect to stock to continue outperforming over the next twelve months.

Revenue growth, cost control. Overall revenue grew 9% yoy, with derivatives a key driver. Securities revenue also grew 9% on higher SDAV. While the potential conclusion of a high-profile bidding saga may result in a marginal decline in trading volume, we believe it is positive longer-term, as it clearly signals that quality companies listed on SGX can be acquired.

Management also showed great cost control, with operating expenses only up 4% yoy. Traction on derivatives may be understated by revenue. Derivatives revenue grew 21%, but we think even this encouraging pace may be understating underlying development of SGX’s business.

Total contracts during the period grew 30% yoy, driven by China A50 futures. Another indicator is the amount of open interest contracts, which was up 83% yoy. This represents increasing stickiness of counter-parties and clients who are choosing to manage their risk overnight with SGX and will drive future revenue further.