Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Klarna shares are set to start NYSE trading on 10 September; the issue price range implies a market capitalisation of USD12.8bn to USD13.6bn; we believe that its valuation looks underwhelming</li>
<li>The Klarna IPO valuation versus its peers does, however, show Affirm’s very stretched valuation and we downgrade it to a sell; we upgrade Kakao Pay to a neutral from sell</li>
<li>We keep PagSeguro, PayPal and Nexi on the buy list for their value credentials; we believe that PayPal is also the best value of the major BNPL players</li>
</ul>


Klarna shares are set to start NYSE trading on 10 September; the issue price range implies a market capitalisation of USD12.8bn to USD13.6bn; we believe that its valuation looks underwhelming
The Klarna IPO valuation versus its peers does, however, show Affirm’s very stretched valuation and we downgrade it to a sell; we upgrade Kakao Pay to a neutral from sell
We keep PagSeguro, PayPal and Nexi on the buy list for their value credentials; we believe that PayPal is also the best value of the major BNPL players


Klarna IPO (KLAR US) - Underwhelming Valuations Against Key Comparables

Covering IPOs, Healthcare and Technology Stocks

Andrei Zakharov

<ul>
<li>Klarna Group plc, a Swedish fintech giant and largest BNPL player in European Union, is expected to price $1B+ initial public offering next week.</li>
<li>The company’s amended F-1 puts the initial price range per share at $35 to $37, implying a market cap of ~$13.6B at midpoint, down ~70% from peak valuation of ~$46B. </li>
<li>I think risk/reward profile is favorable given large consumer and merchant scale, expansion into digital retail banking services and potential revenue growth re-acceleration into 2026.</li>
</ul>


Klarna Group plc, a Swedish fintech giant and largest BNPL player in European Union, is expected to price $1B+ initial public offering next week.
The company’s amended F-1 puts the initial price range per share at $35 to $37, implying a market cap of ~$13.6B at midpoint, down ~70% from peak valuation of ~$46B. 
I think risk/reward profile is favorable given large consumer and merchant scale, expansion into digital retail banking services and potential revenue growth re-acceleration into 2026.


Klarna IPO Valuation Update: Risk/Reward Profile Looks Good, Sequoia Stands To Be The Largest Winner

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

<ul>
<li>Klarna is getting ready to complete its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.</li>
<li>Klarna is offering 34.3 million shares at $35 to $37 per share. At the high end of the IPO price range, the company would be able to raise $1.27 billion.</li>
<li>Our base case valuation is 5.4% lower than the low end of the IPO price range. Given the lack of upside, we have a Negative View of the Klarna IPO. </li>
</ul>


Klarna is getting ready to complete its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
Klarna is offering 34.3 million shares at $35 to $37 per share. At the high end of the IPO price range, the company would be able to raise $1.27 billion.
Our base case valuation is 5.4% lower than the low end of the IPO price range. Given the lack of upside, we have a Negative View of the Klarna IPO. 


US IPOs and Secondary Offerings, IPO Boutique

IPO Boutique

US IPOs and Secondary Offerings

For more than 20 years, we have been providing research, analysis, commentary and ratings on US Equity Capital Markets to institutional investors (US IPOs and Secondary Offerings). Our vast network of contacts across the Equity Capital Markets and attention-to-detail sets us apart from our competitors.

Since 2012, we have achieved a successful hit rating on 89% of Buy-rated IPOs. The collective “Buy” ratings averaged a first trade of 16.3% above issue.Our Neutral Rated Deals averaged just 2% above the issue price at first trade.

Our written research includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

In addition, we provide a high-touch premium desk access which includes analyst access, as well as real time insights on US IPOs as well as secondary offerings.

IPOs and Secondary Offerings

<ul>
<li>Klarna will offer 34.3 million shares at $35-$37 and is scheduled to debut on Wednesday (9/10).</li>
<li>Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2025 increased by $199 million, or 15% (17% on a like-for-like basis), compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024.</li>
<li>A "buy-now, pay-later" competitor, Affirm Holdings (AFRM US), has been trading extremely well since April.</li>
</ul>


Klarna will offer 34.3 million shares at $35-$37 and is scheduled to debut on Wednesday (9/10).
Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2025 increased by $199 million, or 15% (17% on a like-for-like basis), compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024.
A "buy-now, pay-later" competitor, Affirm Holdings (AFRM US), has been trading extremely well since April.


Klarna Group (KLAR): Commerce Provider Seeks $14b IPO Valuation After Lengthy Delay

<ul>
<li>Klarna Group plc, a first mover in the BNPL space and AI-powered fintech company, is targeting an IPO valuation of between $13B and $14B, according to Reuters.</li>
<li>A Swedish founder-led decacorn is preparing for a roadshow after Labor Day this week. They intend to raise up to ~$1B and start trading in September.</li>
<li>$13B-$14B IPO valuation is cheap vs. peers and implies ~68% discount to Affirm. Klarna’s last down round was a $800M venture round in July of 2022 at a ~$6.7B valuation.</li>
</ul>


Klarna Group plc, a first mover in the BNPL space and AI-powered fintech company, is targeting an IPO valuation of between $13B and $14B, according to Reuters.
A Swedish founder-led decacorn is preparing for a roadshow after Labor Day this week. They intend to raise up to ~$1B and start trading in September.
$13B-$14B IPO valuation is cheap vs. peers and implies ~68% discount to Affirm. Klarna’s last down round was a $800M venture round in July of 2022 at a ~$6.7B valuation.


Klarna IPO Valuation Update: $13B-$14B IPO Valuation Is Cheap Vs. Peers, ~68% Discount To Affirm

United States

Affirm Holdings, Inc. is a financial technology company. The Company builds platform for digital and mobile-first commerce. Affirm Holdings offers financial services tool that allows consumers to purchase goods and services. Affirm Holdings serves customers worldwide.

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Affirm Holdings (AFRM US)

Klarna IPO (KLAR US) - Underwhelming Valuations Against Key Comparables

Klarna is due to IPO, with its valuation underwhelming relative to peers; we downgrade Affirm to a sell due to very rich valuations, and we stick...

Victor Galliano

Klarna IPO Valuation Update: Risk/Reward Profile Looks Good, Sequoia Stands To Be The Largest Winner

Klarna Group plc is expected to go public next week. In my insight, I discuss IPO valuation, valuation comps and set a 12-month target price for...

Andrei Zakharov

Klarna IPO Valuation Analysis

Klarna is getting ready to complete its IPO. Our base case valuation is 5.4% lower than the low end of the IPO price range. Given the lack of...

Douglas Kim

Klarna Group (KLAR): Commerce Provider Seeks $14b IPO Valuation After Lengthy Delay

Klarna to debut with 34.3 million shares at $35-$37, showing strong revenue growth compared to last year. Affirm Holdings trading well as a...

IPO Boutique

Klarna IPO Valuation Update: $13B-$14B IPO Valuation Is Cheap Vs. Peers, ~68% Discount To Affirm

Klarna Group plc, a leading EU BNPL fintech, targets $13B-14B IPO valuation, aiming to raise up to $1B and start trading in September under the...

Andrei Zakharov

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Klarna IPO (KLAR US) - Underwhelming Valuations Against Key Comparables

​Klarna is due to IPO, with its valuation underwhelming relative to peers; we downgrade Affirm to a sell due to very rich valuations, and we stick...

Victor Galliano

Klarna IPO Valuation Update: Risk/Reward Profile Looks Good, Sequoia Stands To Be The Largest Winner

Klarna Group plc is expected to go public next week. In my insight, I discuss IPO valuation, valuation comps and set a 12-month target price for...

Andrei Zakharov

Klarna IPO Valuation Analysis

Klarna is getting ready to complete its IPO. Our base case valuation is 5.4% lower than the low end of the IPO price range. Given the lack of...

Douglas Kim

Klarna Group (KLAR): Commerce Provider Seeks $14b IPO Valuation After Lengthy Delay

​Klarna to debut with 34.3 million shares at $35-$37, showing strong revenue growth compared to last year. Affirm Holdings trading well as a...

IPO Boutique

Klarna IPO Valuation Update: $13B-$14B IPO Valuation Is Cheap Vs. Peers, ~68% Discount To Affirm

​Klarna Group plc, a leading EU BNPL fintech, targets $13B-14B IPO valuation, aiming to raise up to $1B and start trading in September under the...

Andrei Zakharov

Klarna is due to IPO, with its valuation underwhelming relative to peers; we downgrade Affirm to a sell due to very rich valuations, and we stick...

Klarna to debut with 34.3 million shares at $35-$37, showing strong revenue growth compared to last year. Affirm Holdings trading well as a...

Klarna Group plc, a leading EU BNPL fintech, targets $13B-14B IPO valuation, aiming to raise up to $1B and start trading in September under the...