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>4Q22 results confirm that Nubank is the benchmark among EM neobanks in terms of activity rates, as well as trends in revenues and costs per client and digital efficiencies</li>
<li>We see further potential for broadening and deepening the product offer to customers, at little incremental cost especially in Brazil, to drive cost effective revenue growth</li>
<li>Our proprietary Nubank model forecasts are broadly in sync with positive consensus estimates; we forecast group ROE of close to 30% in FY 2025, despite high cost of credit assumptions</li>
</ul>


4Q22 results confirm that Nubank is the benchmark among EM neobanks in terms of activity rates, as well as trends in revenues and costs per client and digital efficiencies
We see further potential for broadening and deepening the product offer to customers, at little incremental cost especially in Brazil, to drive cost effective revenue growth
Our proprietary Nubank model forecasts are broadly in sync with positive consensus estimates; we forecast group ROE of close to 30% in FY 2025, despite high cost of credit assumptions


Nubank (NU US); Strong Execution to Drive Premium ROE into 2023 and Beyond

<ul>
<li>Varo bank published 4Q22 results that revealed lower quarterly cash burn through cost control, but revenue per client declined and the very high customer acquisition cost</li>
<li>SoFi’s cost reduction success in 4Q22 seems, in contrast to Varo, to have limited revenue loss, thereby bringing SoFi closer to breakeven; it trades at a premium to peers</li>
<li>These early 4Q22 results signals may provide some read across which we believe could be negative for Dave in particular, as well being a reality check for Inter’s US ambitions</li>
</ul>


Varo bank published 4Q22 results that revealed lower quarterly cash burn through cost control, but revenue per client declined and the very high customer acquisition cost
SoFi’s cost reduction success in 4Q22 seems, in contrast to Varo, to have limited revenue loss, thereby bringing SoFi closer to breakeven; it trades at a premium to peers
These early 4Q22 results signals may provide some read across which we believe could be negative for Dave in particular, as well being a reality check for Inter’s US ambitions


US Neobanks; Warning Signals from SoFi and Varo 4Q Results

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>StoneCo has disposed of its remaining 4.2% stake in Inter &amp;Co, slamming the door shut on plans for a leading Brazilian neobank-paytech partnership originally announced in May 2021</li>
<li>Stone acquired 5% of Inter for BRL2.5bn in June 2021; the extent of the fintech market malaise means that currently BRL2.5bn (c USD500m) would buy close to 50% of Inter</li>
<li>This StoneCo stake disposal at least removes the Inter shares’ overhang risk; yet despite this technical relief, we reiterate that Inter’s fundamental outlook remains a challenging one</li>
</ul>


StoneCo has disposed of its remaining 4.2% stake in Inter &amp;Co, slamming the door shut on plans for a leading Brazilian neobank-paytech partnership originally announced in May 2021
Stone acquired 5% of Inter for BRL2.5bn in June 2021; the extent of the fintech market malaise means that currently BRL2.5bn (c USD500m) would buy close to 50% of Inter
This StoneCo stake disposal at least removes the Inter shares’ overhang risk; yet despite this technical relief, we reiterate that Inter’s fundamental outlook remains a challenging one


Inter & Co (INTR US) – No More StoneCo Stake Overhang, but the Fundamental Outlook Remains Tough

<ul>
<li>Fintechs and neobanks suffered a valuations reality check in 2022, due to rising interest (and discount) rates, poor fundamental results coupled with - in certain cases - high cash burn</li>
<li>Most neobanks need to improve customer activity rates as well as product and revenue penetration; legacy banks are responding to disruptors and in developed markets megafintechs are encroaching on neobanks</li>
<li>We see 2023 neobank picks driven by bottom-up calls on focused execution; we turn constructive on Nubank, stay negative on Inter and Jago and neutral on Kakaobank and Banco PAN</li>
</ul>


Fintechs and neobanks suffered a valuations reality check in 2022, due to rising interest (and discount) rates, poor fundamental results coupled with - in certain cases - high cash burn
Most neobanks need to improve customer activity rates as well as product and revenue penetration; legacy banks are responding to disruptors and in developed markets megafintechs are encroaching on neobanks
We see 2023 neobank picks driven by bottom-up calls on focused execution; we turn constructive on Nubank, stay negative on Inter and Jago and neutral on Kakaobank and Banco PAN


EM and DM Neobanks in 2023; Selective Opportunity Driven by Bottom-Up Execution

<ul>
<li>Softbank Group’s share price has been supported by the share buyback programme since late September, but 2Q FY2022 results are likely act as a negative catalyst for Softbank shares</li>
<li>Alibaba and its core listed holdings in the Vision Funds have seen market values go lower in recent months; see the diverging market price chart trends in this report</li>
<li>In addition, valuations among the unlisted holdings are also under pressure into October, so 2Q results may not capture the full extent of the down rounds</li>
</ul>


Softbank Group’s share price has been supported by the share buyback programme since late September, but 2Q FY2022 results are likely act as a negative catalyst for Softbank shares
Alibaba and its core listed holdings in the Vision Funds have seen market values go lower in recent months; see the diverging market price chart trends in this report
In addition, valuations among the unlisted holdings are also under pressure into October, so 2Q results may not capture the full extent of the down rounds


Softbank Group (9984 JP) – Defying Gravity into 4Q 2022

Brazil

Inter & Co is a Brazilian financial technology company that operates as a digital multi-service bank, offering a comprehensive range of banking, credit, investments, payments, and lifestyle solutions. The company provides services through a digital banking super app, which includes checking accounts, loans, insurance, and a marketplace. Founded in 1994, Inter & Co is headquartered in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

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Inter & Co (INBR32 BR)

Nubank (NU US); Strong Execution to Drive Premium ROE into 2023 and Beyond

Nubank presented solid 4Q22 results, with high activity rates, growing revenue per customer, controlled costs per customer whilst keeping a sound...

Victor Galliano

US Neobanks; Warning Signals from SoFi and Varo 4Q Results

Varo bank's 4Q results revealed lower quarterly cash burn through cost control, but revenue per client declined; SoFi seemed to have done a bit...

Victor Galliano

Inter & Co (INTR US) – No More StoneCo Stake Overhang, but the Fundamental Outlook Remains Tough

StoneCo's disposal of its Inter stake lifts overhang but key fundamental hurdles remain for Inter; forecast high loan growth will absorb capital,...

Victor Galliano

EM and DM Neobanks in 2023; Selective Opportunity Driven by Bottom-Up Execution

Neobank shareholder success stories are rare, but Nubank combines high customer activation and revenue conversion, with low cost to acquire; we...

Victor Galliano

Softbank Group (9984 JP) – Defying Gravity into 4Q 2022

Softbank's share price has defied gravity of late, diverging from the trends of its listed holdings but we see clear hurdles going forward from the...

Victor Galliano

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