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 Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In our Southern Europe bank screens, we look for attractive valuations, core capital strength and constructive signals on credit quality</li>
<li>In Italy, we are positive on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unicredit-spa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21234:1" rel="noopener">UniCredit SpA (UCG IM)</a> , which is attractive on valuations, credit quality and capital as well as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bper-banca-s-p-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21165:1" rel="noopener">BPER Banca S.p.A (BPE IM)</a> on valuations and NPL coverage</li>
<li>In Spain, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-bilbao-vizcaya-argentari" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21251:1" rel="noopener">Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentari (BBVA SM)</a> screens well on valuation, NPL coverage and the capital ratio will get a boost post US Bancshares disposal; we are also positive on the Caixabank-Bankia merger</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-comercial-portugues-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21358:1" rel="noopener">Banco Comercial Portugues Sa (BCP PL)</a> is one to watch in Portugal, while we believe that the Greek banks still have a way to go on balance sheet de-risking</li>
<li>Risks to our positive views on the recommended Italian and Spanish banks include a reversal of investor sentiment into a more “risk off” mode, including investors shunning value shares</li>
</ul>


In our Southern Europe bank screens, we look for attractive valuations, core capital strength and constructive signals on credit quality
In Italy, we are positive on UniCredit SpA (UCG IM) , which is attractive on valuations, credit quality and capital as well as BPER Banca S.p.A (BPE IM) on valuations and NPL coverage
In Spain, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentari (BBVA SM) screens well on valuation, NPL coverage and the capital ratio will get a boost post US Bancshares disposal; we are also positive on the Caixabank-Bankia merger

Banco Comercial Portugues Sa (BCP PL) is one to watch in Portugal, while we believe that the Greek banks still have a way to go on balance sheet de-risking
Risks to our positive views on the recommended Italian and Spanish banks include a reversal of investor sentiment into a more “risk off” mode, including investors shunning value shares


Southern Europe Bank Screens; Picks for 2021

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

*We Anxiously Await HSBC’s US Departure: According the Financial Times on November 28, 2020, HSBC is considering offloading its entire US retail network - although a full exit from other businesses in the US is unlikely. The recommendation of a US exit is expected to be presented to the board as early as this week, although the Group is scheduled to provide an update on its plans for its French and US businesses in February 2021; *HSBCNA Should Be Sold: HSBCNA is a chronic mess, and there is absolutely no need for HSBC to maintain a full commercial/retail banking presence in the US. It cannot earn a positive return under its current structure; credit is again about to fall off a cliff; does not earning; NIMs are among the lowest in the USA; and capital is shortly about to fall below regulatory guidance. Further, the bad acquisitions and regulatory headaches should spur management to cut and run in the US. Knowing HSBC management as we do, they will continue making the same mistakes over and over again; and    *Hong Kong Tax Rate Continues To Mask Management’s Global Mistakes: When your core subsidiary in Hong Kong has a statutory corporate tax rate of 16.5% and the organization is not subject to global taxation, low taxes can mask the many mistakes that HSBC makes.

*We Anxiously Await HSBC’s US Departure: According the Financial Times on November 28, 2020, HSBC is considering offloading its entire US retail network - although a full exit from other businesses in the US is unlikely. The recommendation of a US exit is expected to be presented to the board as early as this week, although the Group is scheduled to provide an update on its plans for its French and US businesses in February 2021; *HSBCNA Should Be Sold: HSBCNA is a chronic mess, and there is absolutely no need for HSBC to maintain a full commercial/retail banking presence in the US. It cannot earn a positive return under its current structure; credit is again about to fall off a cliff; does not earning; NIMs are among the lowest in the USA; and capital is shortly about to fall below regulatory guidance. Further, the bad acquisitions and regulatory headaches should spur management to cut and run in the US. Knowing HSBC management as we do, they will continue making the same mistakes over and over again; and    *Hong Kong Tax Rate Continues To Mask Management’s Global Mistakes: When your core subsidiary in Hong Kong has a statutory corporate tax rate of 16.5% and the organization is not subject to global taxation, low taxes can mask the many mistakes that HSBC makes. 

HSBC Holdings Plc – Act Now, You’ll Never See These Prices Again

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-bilbao-vizcaya-argentari" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21251:1" rel="noopener">Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentari (BBVA SM)</a>  and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-de-sabadell-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21295:1" rel="noopener">Banco De Sabadell SA (SAB SM)</a> have broken off merger discussions</li>
<li>BBVA management can potentially deliver shareholder value through a potential share buyback, but plans o redeploy surplus capital in its core EM markets could increase perceived risk and limit the size of the buyback</li>
<li>Sabadell’s intentions to deliver improved returns, on a stand-alone basis, are, in our view, challenged by its lack of scale, the negative interest rate climate, as well as the TSB drag</li>
<li>Even after today’s sharp fall in the Sabadell share price, we would recommend a short on Sabadell shares – with no M&amp;A premium, Sabadell’s PBV ratio could fall back to close to 0.10x</li>
<li>Risks to our bearish view on Sabadell include finding buyer for TSB in the near term, as well as the potential for another domestic merger with either Liberbank or Unicaja</li>
</ul>



Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentari (BBVA SM)  and Banco De Sabadell SA (SAB SM) have broken off merger discussions
BBVA management can potentially deliver shareholder value through a potential share buyback, but plans o redeploy surplus capital in its core EM markets could increase perceived risk and limit the size of the buyback
Sabadell’s intentions to deliver improved returns, on a stand-alone basis, are, in our view, challenged by its lack of scale, the negative interest rate climate, as well as the TSB drag
Even after today’s sharp fall in the Sabadell share price, we would recommend a short on Sabadell shares – with no M&amp;A premium, Sabadell’s PBV ratio could fall back to close to 0.10x
Risks to our bearish view on Sabadell include finding buyer for TSB in the near term, as well as the potential for another domestic merger with either Liberbank or Unicaja


Merger Undone: Tougher Outlook for Sabadell, BBVA Plans Buybacks and EM M&A

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Credit risk markets remained decoupled between the US and Asia as spreads on US Caa-rated entities continued to defy gravity. The risk-on wave continued to swell through US risk asses on additional positive vaccine news. Combined with a Goldilocks election outcome whereby President Trump loses the election, but Joe Biden does not win a mandate, spreads on the US Caa-rated complex tightened to inside Asia’s HY index for the first time since 2014. Is it time to sell the Caa bull market?  Treasury Secretary Mnuchin’s decision to cancel several underutilized emergency Fed programs at the end of the year may raise expectations for the Fed to expand its asset purchase program or target its purchases more directly along the Treasury curve at its December meeting. We are set-up for disappointment.  Against this background, Asia’s HY Additional Tier 1 underperformed Subordinated and Senior Unsecured securities as near-term global growth concerns outweighed vaccine progress. Most of the underperforming bond were issued over the last three months. This suggests these may have been issued at the top of the market, in spread terms. Amongst Additional Tier 1 bonds, Hong Kong-headquartered banks led advances. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-east-asia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:341:1" rel="noopener">Bank of East Asia's (23 HK)</a> announcement that it would call its 5.5% coupon December-callable AT1 bond aided sentiment. We first recommended that investors overweight this security in mid-February within <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-of-east-asia-overweight-short-call-at1-on-refinancing-ability" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:36787" rel="noopener">Bank of East Asia: Overweight Short-Call AT1 on Refinancing Ability</a> and recently re-iterated this call within <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-of-east-asia-buy-the-inefficient-capital-securities" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42753" rel="noopener">Bank of East Asia: Buy the Inefficient Capital Securities</a>. Victory lap over.Concurrently, Turkish HY Senior Unsecured bank bonds again materially outperformed their global peers following delivery of a more orthodox monetary policy regime. Nonetheless, Turkish bank bonds continue to trade wide of similarly rated entities in other emerging markets.  Given the starting point for a potential Turkish bank bond rally, we anticipate a virus versus vaccine market immunity in Turkish-bank bonds returns over the near term.   Over US$13 billion was raised by financial institutions in USD, Euros and Sterling across the credit continuum. Amongst higher-yield issued securities, the UK Co-operative Bank’s Caa1 rated bond makes India’s <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iifl-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20197:1" rel="noopener">IIFL Finance's (IIFL IN)</a> US$-bond look cheap in comparison. However, unlike India where every bank rescue requires a liability moratorium, the Co-operative Bank resolution three years ago was not damaging to the financial system. India’s rescue of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lakshmi-vilas-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17552:1" rel="noopener">Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB IN)</a> this week is no exception. For our views on this please see: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/lakshmi-vilas-bank-dbs-rescue-is-a-wasted-option" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:45471" rel="noopener">Lakshmi Vilas Bank: DBS Rescue Is a Wasted Option</a>.US$-debt issuance should be slowed by the upcoming US holiday on Thursday. We could see a short-lived resurgence in early December and then drift sideways until heavy issuance re-emerges in January.Market Outlook: Over the near term, tension between longer-term optimism from vaccine driven economies and the shorter-term reality of increasing Coronavirus lockdowns are likely to weigh on the market in the coming weeks. Positive vaccine news combined with a goldilocks US election outcome lowers the likelihood of excessive US federal stimulus. This should cap additional upward pressure on US Treasury yields until vision increases on likely H2 ’21 US economic growth, post-vaccine distribution. Reflation remains on hold. This could limit US dollar weakness and limit positive impacts on reflationary beneficiaries such as bank valuations and Emerging Markets (EM) assets.

Credit risk markets remained decoupled between the US and Asia as spreads on US Caa-rated entities continued to defy gravity. The risk-on wave continued to swell through US risk asses on additional positive vaccine news. Combined with a Goldilocks election outcome whereby President Trump loses the election, but Joe Biden does not win a mandate, spreads on the US Caa-rated complex tightened to inside Asia’s HY index for the first time since 2014. Is it time to sell the Caa bull market?  Treasury Secretary Mnuchin’s decision to cancel several underutilized emergency Fed programs at the end of the year may raise expectations for the Fed to expand its asset purchase program or target its purchases more directly along the Treasury curve at its December meeting. We are set-up for disappointment.  Against this background, Asia’s HY Additional Tier 1 underperformed Subordinated and Senior Unsecured securities as near-term global growth concerns outweighed vaccine progress. Most of the underperforming bond were issued over the last three months. This suggests these may have been issued at the top of the market, in spread terms. Amongst Additional Tier 1 bonds, Hong Kong-headquartered banks led advances. Bank of East Asia's (23 HK) announcement that it would call its 5.5% coupon December-callable AT1 bond aided sentiment. We first recommended that investors overweight this security in mid-February within Bank of East Asia: Overweight Short-Call AT1 on Refinancing Ability and recently re-iterated this call within Bank of East Asia: Buy the Inefficient Capital Securities. Victory lap over.Concurrently, Turkish HY Senior Unsecured bank bonds again materially outperformed their global peers following delivery of a more orthodox monetary policy regime. Nonetheless, Turkish bank bonds continue to trade wide of similarly rated entities in other emerging markets.  Given the starting point for a potential Turkish bank bond rally, we anticipate a virus versus vaccine market immunity in Turkish-bank bonds returns over the near term.   Over US$13 billion was raised by financial institutions in USD, Euros and Sterling across the credit continuum. Amongst higher-yield issued securities, the UK Co-operative Bank’s Caa1 rated bond makes India’s IIFL Finance's (IIFL IN) US$-bond look cheap in comparison. However, unlike India where every bank rescue requires a liability moratorium, the Co-operative Bank resolution three years ago was not damaging to the financial system. India’s rescue of Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB IN) this week is no exception. For our views on this please see: Lakshmi Vilas Bank: DBS Rescue Is a Wasted Option.US$-debt issuance should be slowed by the upcoming US holiday on Thursday. We could see a short-lived resurgence in early December and then drift sideways until heavy issuance re-emerges in January.Market Outlook: Over the near term, tension between longer-term optimism from vaccine driven economies and the shorter-term reality of increasing Coronavirus lockdowns are likely to weigh on the market in the coming weeks. Positive vaccine news combined with a goldilocks US election outcome lowers the likelihood of excessive US federal stimulus. This should cap additional upward pressure on US Treasury yields until vision increases on likely H2 ’21 US economic growth, post-vaccine distribution. Reflation remains on hold. This could limit US dollar weakness and limit positive impacts on reflationary beneficiaries such as bank valuations and Emerging Markets (EM) assets.

Bank Credit Weekly: Virus Vs. Vaccine: Time to Sell the Caa-Bull?

European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

<div>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-de-sabadell-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21295:1" rel="noopener">Banco De Sabadell Sa (SAB SM)</a> 's (Sabadell) share price soared 24.59%  as investors discounted its acquisition by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-bilbao-vizcaya-argentari" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21251:1" rel="noopener">Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentari (BBVA SM)</a> before the announcement, and Tuesday's earnings of the Sabadell share price indicate that the market discounts a 30% premium over Friday's price.
Hours after the deal announcement, BBVA confirmed that it is holding talks with representatives of Sabadell for a potential merger between the two entities, as confirmed to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) in a relevant event notice.
Now the situation has changed for BBVA, which is in the drivers seat due to both a recent share price boost (pre-sale to PNC) and the proceeds from the sale to PNC, which increase its capital levels. Therefore BBVA is opportunistically proceeding before a vaccine-based economic recovery and timing both the sale to PNC and a potential acquisition of Sabadell to simultaneously happen.
</div>
The new entity would be the second largest in the Spanish market with assets valued at €596 bn, just behind the new CaixaBank-Bankia, and far ahead of Santander, which would occupy the third position.
An integration with Sabadell would reduce BBVA's exposure to emerging markets, while Sabadell is in a highly vulnerable position (balance sheet and profitability, ROE 1.5%), two good reasons why I believe that this deal will go ahead.
The operation makes sense, especially for BBVA, because Sabadell has lost more than 60% of its market value YTD, while BBVA has fallen by half, at 30%. At the beginning of 2020, BBVA was worth 5x Sabadell whilst now it is 10x Sabadell.
From my calculations, a cash deal should be preferred by BBVA on an EPS basis: 20.4% higher EPS achieved through the integration of Sabadell on 2023, vs. 7.0% in a paper deal.
By acquiring Sabadell at a 40% premium, BBVA would be doing a very good business, especially after selling its bank in the US for 9.7 billion euros and taking over Sabadell for around €2.7 bn. BBVA could even afford paying north of a 50% premium.
Recommendation is LONG Sabadell, TP 0.476 (8% spread to closing price on 18 November).
(please read on for deal maths)


Banco De Sabadell Sa (SAB SM) 's (Sabadell) share price soared 24.59%  as investors discounted its acquisition by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentari (BBVA SM) before the announcement, and Tuesday's earnings of the Sabadell share price indicate that the market discounts a 30% premium over Friday's price.
Hours after the deal announcement, BBVA confirmed that it is holding talks with representatives of Sabadell for a potential merger between the two entities, as confirmed to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) in a relevant event notice.
Now the situation has changed for BBVA, which is in the drivers seat due to both a recent share price boost (pre-sale to PNC) and the proceeds from the sale to PNC, which increase its capital levels. Therefore BBVA is opportunistically proceeding before a vaccine-based economic recovery and timing both the sale to PNC and a potential acquisition of Sabadell to simultaneously happen.

The new entity would be the second largest in the Spanish market with assets valued at €596 bn, just behind the new CaixaBank-Bankia, and far ahead of Santander, which would occupy the third position.
An integration with Sabadell would reduce BBVA's exposure to emerging markets, while Sabadell is in a highly vulnerable position (balance sheet and profitability, ROE 1.5%), two good reasons why I believe that this deal will go ahead.
The operation makes sense, especially for BBVA, because Sabadell has lost more than 60% of its market value YTD, while BBVA has fallen by half, at 30%. At the beginning of 2020, BBVA was worth 5x Sabadell whilst now it is 10x Sabadell.
From my calculations, a cash deal should be preferred by BBVA on an EPS basis: 20.4% higher EPS achieved through the integration of Sabadell on 2023, vs. 7.0% in a paper deal.
By acquiring Sabadell at a 40% premium, BBVA would be doing a very good business, especially after selling its bank in the US for 9.7 billion euros and taking over Sabadell for around €2.7 bn. BBVA could even afford paying north of a 50% premium.
Recommendation is LONG Sabadell, TP 0.476 (8% spread to closing price on 18 November).
(please read on for deal maths)

BBVA-Sabadell "Merger" Conversations, Deal Numbers

Spain

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. attracts deposits and offers retail, wholesale, and investment banking services.  The Bank offers consumer and mortgage loans, private banking, asset management, insurance, mutual funds, and securities brokerage services.  It operates in Europe, Latin America, United States, China and Turkey.

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Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentari (BBVA SM)

Southern Europe Bank Screens; Picks for 2021

As 2021 Southern Europe bank picks, Unicredit, BPER and BBVA, Caixaban-Bankia stand out in terms of valuation, capital strength and credit quality

Victor Galliano

HSBC Holdings Plc – Act Now, You’ll Never See These Prices Again

HSBC HOLDINGS PLC: Financial Times Suggesting Board Will Be Presented With Options On US Franchise This Week. This Was A Long Time In Coming.

Thomas J. Monaco

Merger Undone: Tougher Outlook for Sabadell, BBVA Plans Buybacks and EM M&A

Merger breakup equals the end of merger premium for Sabadell shares; despite the share price drop, it is challenged by its lack of scale, the...

Victor Galliano

Bank Credit Weekly: Virus Vs. Vaccine: Time to Sell the Caa-Bull?

Is it time to sell the Caa-bull market? Some AT1 bonds seem to be at a market top. We are set-up for disappointment. Nonetheless, we anticipate...

Hank Calenti, CFA

BBVA-Sabadell "Merger" Conversations, Deal Numbers

By acquiring Sabadell at a 40% premium, BBVA would be doing a very good business, especially after selling its bank in the US for 9.7 billion euros...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

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