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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The acquisition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/afterpay-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26940:1" rel="noopener">Afterpay Touch (APT AU)</a> by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/square-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23755:1" rel="noopener">Square Inc (SQ US)</a>  has been well received by the market</li>
<li>There are great qualities to the deal, including strategic fit and potential synergies</li>
<li>Nonetheless, we believe that there are challenges in the form of credit risks to Afterpay’s Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) model, as well as increased regulatory scrutiny and oversight</li>
<li>Factoring in these risks, and despite the growth potential, we ask is the price right? We look at a number of valuation metrics including PEG</li>
<li>We remain negative on Square even with the growth potential; we would recommend Afterpay shareholders – the key winners in the deal - to cash in their Square shares post deal</li>
<li>Risks to our negative view include faster than expected revenue growth bringing Afterpay into profit, lower than expected BNPL delinquencies and better than expected synergies</li>
</ul>


The acquisition of Afterpay Touch (APT AU) by Square Inc (SQ US)  has been well received by the market
There are great qualities to the deal, including strategic fit and potential synergies
Nonetheless, we believe that there are challenges in the form of credit risks to Afterpay’s Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) model, as well as increased regulatory scrutiny and oversight
Factoring in these risks, and despite the growth potential, we ask is the price right? We look at a number of valuation metrics including PEG
We remain negative on Square even with the growth potential; we would recommend Afterpay shareholders – the key winners in the deal - to cash in their Square shares post deal
Risks to our negative view include faster than expected revenue growth bringing Afterpay into profit, lower than expected BNPL delinquencies and better than expected synergies


Square (SQ US) & Afterpay (APT AX): Is the Price Right?

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Equity Bottom-Up

*Competitor Sees 73% Upside:  A bulge bracket competitor recently published a table pounding note on the shares of Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent], which states that the shares are undervalued to the tune of 73%; and  *We Beg To Differ: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". We have witnessed fines at Tencent, new user WeChat suspensions. Tencent may have to give up its exclusive music rights and possibly dispose of Kuwo and Kugou, and likely form of a financial holding company. The big table pounding report and a massive need for equity; this has all of the markings of the usual near-term gigantic capital raise.

*Competitor Sees 73% Upside:  A bulge bracket competitor recently published a table pounding note on the shares of Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent], which states that the shares are undervalued to the tune of 73%; and  *We Beg To Differ: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". We have witnessed fines at Tencent, new user WeChat suspensions. Tencent may have to give up its exclusive music rights and possibly dispose of Kuwo and Kugou, and likely form of a financial holding company. The big table pounding report and a massive need for equity; this has all of the markings of the usual near-term gigantic capital raise.      

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/finaccel-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33791:1" rel="noopener">FinAccel (1411023D SP)</a>, the parent of Kredivo, is the leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform in Indonesia with an e-commerce BPNL market share of around 40%-45%. Kredivo intends to go public in the US through a SPAC merger with VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings II.The combined company will have an EV of $2.0 billion and an equity value of $2.5 billion at closing. The deal implies 6.3x 2022 EV/Sales based on Kredivo’s forecasted revenue. The transaction involves a 100% rollover by existing Kredivo shareholders, a $120 million fully committed PIPE (led by Marshall Wace, Corbin Capital, SV Investment, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/palantir-technologies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27728:1" rel="noopener">Palantir Technologies Inc (PLTR US)</a>, Maso Capital, and sponsor Victory Park Capital) in addition to a $55 million convertible note funded by existing investors <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a> and Square Peg. Kredivo is expected to receive over $430 million of gross proceeds. Existing shareholders will have an 83% ownership of the combined company including the concurrent investment. The BNPL market is rapidly becoming a must-have product for payment providers. This necessity has spurred the launch of in-house solutions from global payment providers such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/paypal-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4747:1" rel="noopener">Paypal Holdings (PYPL US)</a> as well the M&amp;A as evidenced by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/square-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23755:1" rel="noopener">Square Inc (SQ US)</a>'s bid for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/afterpay-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26940:1" rel="noopener">Afterpay Touch (APT AU)</a>.  <div class="content-highlight">Since its launch in 2016, Kredivo has established itself as a leading BNPL player in Indonesia due to sustainable competitive advantages built around an in-house credit bureau and low customer acquisition costs. Kredivo is not resting on its laurels but increasing its addressable market through international expansion in adjacent countries and the launch of a new business line (Lime). Kredivo is using its market-leading position to deliver high growth with a declining loss margin. Refreshingly the YTD performance suggests that management are well on track to meet their forecasts. Finally, the proposed valuation is also attractive in comparison to global BNPL peers. </div>

FinAccel (1411023D SP), the parent of Kredivo, is the leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform in Indonesia with an e-commerce BPNL market share of around 40%-45%. Kredivo intends to go public in the US through a SPAC merger with VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings II.The combined company will have an EV of $2.0 billion and an equity value of $2.5 billion at closing. The deal implies 6.3x 2022 EV/Sales based on Kredivo’s forecasted revenue. The transaction involves a 100% rollover by existing Kredivo shareholders, a $120 million fully committed PIPE (led by Marshall Wace, Corbin Capital, SV Investment, Palantir Technologies Inc (PLTR US), Maso Capital, and sponsor Victory Park Capital) in addition to a $55 million convertible note funded by existing investors Naver Corp (035420 KS) and Square Peg. Kredivo is expected to receive over $430 million of gross proceeds. Existing shareholders will have an 83% ownership of the combined company including the concurrent investment. The BNPL market is rapidly becoming a must-have product for payment providers. This necessity has spurred the launch of in-house solutions from global payment providers such as Paypal Holdings (PYPL US) as well the M&amp;A as evidenced by Square Inc (SQ US)'s bid for Afterpay Touch (APT AU).  Since its launch in 2016, Kredivo has established itself as a leading BNPL player in Indonesia due to sustainable competitive advantages built around an in-house credit bureau and low customer acquisition costs. Kredivo is not resting on its laurels but increasing its addressable market through international expansion in adjacent countries and the launch of a new business line (Lime). Kredivo is using its market-leading position to deliver high growth with a declining loss margin. Refreshingly the YTD performance suggests that management are well on track to meet their forecasts. Finally, the proposed valuation is also attractive in comparison to global BNPL peers. 

FinAccel/Kredivo SPAC Deal: Smooth Shopping

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/afterpay-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26940:1" rel="noopener">Afterpay Touch (APT AU)</a> is a leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) player. Afterpay revealed that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/square-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23755:1" rel="noopener">Square Inc (SQ US)</a> had agreed to acquire it through a recommended scheme of arrangement. Square will offer a fixed exchange ratio of 0.375 Square shares per Afterpay share. Based on Square's closing price on 30 July, the implied transaction price of A$126.21 per share is a 30.6% premium to the share price of A$96.66 per share on the last trading date (30 July). The deal has an implied value of A$39 billion and if completed, would be the largest in Australian M&amp;A history. The completion conditions include Afterpay and Square shareholder approval along with regulatory approval. Square intends to also establish a secondary listing on ASX. Afterpay shareholders will own 18.5% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.<div class="content-highlight">While the share price has traded recently above the implied offer price, we think that offer is attractive in comparison to historical EV/Sales multiples and average share prices. With BNPL competition steadily increasing, the all-scrip deal gives shareholders the opportunity to benefit from the ability of the combined Square + Afterpay to expand the customer base and strengthen the product portfolio. At Square's current price of US$274.93 at the time of writing (+11% on Friday close), Afterpay shares are trading at a 22% gross spread to the indicative offer.</div>

Afterpay Touch (APT AU) is a leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) player. Afterpay revealed that Square Inc (SQ US) had agreed to acquire it through a recommended scheme of arrangement. Square will offer a fixed exchange ratio of 0.375 Square shares per Afterpay share. Based on Square's closing price on 30 July, the implied transaction price of A$126.21 per share is a 30.6% premium to the share price of A$96.66 per share on the last trading date (30 July). The deal has an implied value of A$39 billion and if completed, would be the largest in Australian M&amp;A history. The completion conditions include Afterpay and Square shareholder approval along with regulatory approval. Square intends to also establish a secondary listing on ASX. Afterpay shareholders will own 18.5% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.While the share price has traded recently above the implied offer price, we think that offer is attractive in comparison to historical EV/Sales multiples and average share prices. With BNPL competition steadily increasing, the all-scrip deal gives shareholders the opportunity to benefit from the ability of the combined Square + Afterpay to expand the customer base and strengthen the product portfolio. At Square's current price of US$274.93 at the time of writing (+11% on Friday close), Afterpay shares are trading at a 22% gross spread to the indicative offer.

Square Lobs a Market-Defining Bid for Afterpay

*Magic Fairy Dust: Square (SQ.US) has agreed to purchase Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay) for USD 29 bn in an all-stock transaction – implying Afterpay’s shares to be worth AUD 126.21. This is not a bad outcome for Afterpay, which only posts consistent losses. Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] stands to gain 462% on its initial stake for a gain of over USD 800 mn – not bad for a passive deal 15 months ago;  and
Risks Remain: In addition to Tencent is suspending new user registrations for its WeChat services, as it is undergoing a “security technical upgrade” in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, there are multiple other challenges. We have no doubt that Tencent will also follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in their formation of a financial holding company. For Tencent, WeChat Pay and the broader lending/deposit taking business are likely to be reined-in. An FHC represents significant downside risks. Earnings will compress, as capital requirements increase.

*Magic Fairy Dust: Square (SQ.US) has agreed to purchase Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay) for USD 29 bn in an all-stock transaction – implying Afterpay’s shares to be worth AUD 126.21. This is not a bad outcome for Afterpay, which only posts consistent losses. Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] stands to gain 462% on its initial stake for a gain of over USD 800 mn – not bad for a passive deal 15 months ago;  and
Risks Remain: In addition to Tencent is suspending new user registrations for its WeChat services, as it is undergoing a “security technical upgrade” in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, there are multiple other challenges. We have no doubt that Tencent will also follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in their formation of a financial holding company. For Tencent, WeChat Pay and the broader lending/deposit taking business are likely to be reined-in. An FHC represents significant downside risks. Earnings will compress, as capital requirements increase.

Tencent Holdings – Clairvoyance Pays Off

Australia

Afterpay Limited provides financial solutions. The Company offers payment platform that allow users to maintain financial wellness and control, by splitting payments in four, for both online and in-store purchases. Afterpay serves customers globally.

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Afterpay (APT AU)

Square (SQ US) & Afterpay (APT AX): Is the Price Right?

The market is enthusiastic for Square-Afterpay, but we believe prospects are challenged by credit risk combined with fast sales growth, increased...

Victor Galliano

Tencent Holdings - Bulge Bracket Bull

TENCENT HOLDINGS: A competitor recently suggested the shares of Tencent have 73% upside. We beg to differ, further pain in these shares is expected...

Thomas J. Monaco

FinAccel/Kredivo SPAC Deal: Smooth Shopping

Kredivo is using its market-leading BNPL position to deliver high growth with a declining loss margin. Refreshingly the forecasts are reasonable...

Arun George

Square Lobs a Market-Defining Bid for Afterpay

Afterpay revealed that Square had agreed to acquire it through a recommended scheme of arrangement. We think that the all-scrip offer is attractive...

Arun George

Tencent Holdings – Clairvoyance Pays Off

TENCENT HOLDINGS: Square has agreed to purchase Afterpay for USD 29 bn, and Tencent stands to gain 462% or over USD 800 mn. While positive,...

Thomas J. Monaco

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