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

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB d / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Banorte’s solid 4Q22, and the prospect of a healthy dividend payout, have so far trumped concerns of an earnings downturn from credit spread erosion, higher opex and cost of risk</li>
<li>Bank sector data trends to November accentuate the return headwinds that we see emerging; further tightening credit spreads and a rising cost of credit, credit cards a likely leading indicator</li>
<li>BBVA Mexico generates consistent premium ROE of 25%+, investors can gain exposure through BBVA equity; we continue to be cautious on Banorte, due to the growing risks to returns</li>
</ul>


Banorte’s solid 4Q22, and the prospect of a healthy dividend payout, have so far trumped concerns of an earnings downturn from credit spread erosion, higher opex and cost of risk
Bank sector data trends to November accentuate the return headwinds that we see emerging; further tightening credit spreads and a rising cost of credit, credit cards a likely leading indicator
BBVA Mexico generates consistent premium ROE of 25%+, investors can gain exposure through BBVA equity; we continue to be cautious on Banorte, due to the growing risks to returns


Banorte 4Q22 & Mexican Banks’ November Data – Rising Risk of Credit Spread Erosion and NPL Worsening

Event-Driven

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB d / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Santander’s USD6bn offer for Banamex was rejected by Citi as too low, according to press reports; the estimated valuation range for Banamex is now from USD7bn to USD8bn</li>
<li>This leaves Inbursa, the Mifel-Grupo Mexico consortium and Banorte as contenders, with Banorte still a leading contender</li>
<li>We continue to be cautious on Banorte, as its potential M&amp;A success would mean big challenges in terms of capital requirements, along with portfolio de-risking and unpopular cost-cutting</li>
</ul>


Santander’s USD6bn offer for Banamex was rejected by Citi as too low, according to press reports; the estimated valuation range for Banamex is now from USD7bn to USD8bn
This leaves Inbursa, the Mifel-Grupo Mexico consortium and Banorte as contenders, with Banorte still a leading contender
We continue to be cautious on Banorte, as its potential M&amp;A success would mean big challenges in terms of capital requirements, along with portfolio de-risking and unpopular cost-cutting


Banamex – Now There Are Three Potential Bidders, Still Including Banorte

<ul>
<li>Citibanamex legacy operations represent a series of challenges for the acquirer, which include its high cost base, bloated branch network and higher credit risk exposure to consumers and SMEs</li>
<li>The opportunity for an acquirer is access to a rich and stable deposit base with a relatively low loan-to-deposit ratio and Banamex’s fee generating AFORE pension administrator</li>
<li>Banamex is attracting much interest, which puts pressure on bidders to pay up, especially Banorte; we revisit our potential capital absorption calculations, but still see risk to Banorte’s dividend prospects</li>
</ul>


Citibanamex legacy operations represent a series of challenges for the acquirer, which include its high cost base, bloated branch network and higher credit risk exposure to consumers and SMEs
The opportunity for an acquirer is access to a rich and stable deposit base with a relatively low loan-to-deposit ratio and Banamex’s fee generating AFORE pension administrator
Banamex is attracting much interest, which puts pressure on bidders to pay up, especially Banorte; we revisit our potential capital absorption calculations, but still see risk to Banorte’s dividend prospects


CitiBanamex Legacy Operations – Revisiting Banorte’s Potential M&A Challenge and Opportunity

<ul>
<li>Since our March-end report, our shorts – especially Kakao Pay – worked better than our longs, given the continuing turbulent conditions; Santander’s offer for Getnet minorities signals a specific opportunity</li>
<li>We still favour Mastercard in the megacaps, and we stick with PagSeguro and Nexi despite both having disappointed; Cielo has been a strong performer, but we would not chase it</li>
<li>Among our shorts, we remain negative on DLocal, given its very demanding valuations, and we still see Kakao Pay to be fundamentally over-valued; we reintroduce Paytm to the shorts list</li>
</ul>


Since our March-end report, our shorts – especially Kakao Pay – worked better than our longs, given the continuing turbulent conditions; Santander’s offer for Getnet minorities signals a specific opportunity
We still favour Mastercard in the megacaps, and we stick with PagSeguro and Nexi despite both having disappointed; Cielo has been a strong performer, but we would not chase it
Among our shorts, we remain negative on DLocal, given its very demanding valuations, and we still see Kakao Pay to be fundamentally over-valued; we reintroduce Paytm to the shorts list


Payment Companies Screens – More Constructive Market Signals or a Bear Market Rally?

<ul>
<li>Citi is to sell its Mexican retail and SME banking operations, which we call new Banamex; it is an attractive banking franchise that needs investment and a focus on costs</li>
<li>Based on peer group valuations, and on new Banamex’s disclosed parameters, we estimate that the disposal entity’s valuation range could range from USD7bn to USD10bn, and we identify potential bidders</li>
<li>We believe that our new Banamex valuation range emphasizes BanBajio’s attractive valuations, we stick with our positive view on mid-cap BanBajio; we believe that Banorte is fully valued</li>
</ul>


Citi is to sell its Mexican retail and SME banking operations, which we call new Banamex; it is an attractive banking franchise that needs investment and a focus on costs
Based on peer group valuations, and on new Banamex’s disclosed parameters, we estimate that the disposal entity’s valuation range could range from USD7bn to USD10bn, and we identify potential bidders
We believe that our new Banamex valuation range emphasizes BanBajio’s attractive valuations, we stick with our positive view on mid-cap BanBajio; we believe that Banorte is fully valued


Citi’s Mexican Exit; Our Thoughts on “new Banamex”

Mexico

Banco Santander Mexico, S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple, Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico provides commercial banking services. The Bank offers personal and corporate loans, saving accounts, deposits, credit cards, mutual funds, lease financing, investment facilities, and business consulting services. Banco Santander Mexico serves its customers in Mexico.

Banco Santander Mexico-B (BSMXB MM)

Banorte 4Q22 & Mexican Banks’ November Data – Rising Risk of Credit Spread Erosion and NPL Worsening

The market reacted positively to Banorte’s 4Q22 results, yet from the sector data as well as Banorte's report, we see 2023 challenges from rising...

Victor Galliano

Banamex – Now There Are Three Potential Bidders, Still Including Banorte

Banorte is expected to bid for Banamex and the risks are skewed against its shareholders; Banorte could need to raise capital and could find it...

Victor Galliano

CitiBanamex Legacy Operations – Revisiting Banorte’s Potential M&A Challenge and Opportunity

Banorte to buy Banamex? We think it likely, and that competition is pushing up the price for a bank in need of opex cuts and better credit quality;...

Victor Galliano

Payment Companies Screens – More Constructive Market Signals or a Bear Market Rally?

In payments, we stick with our longs on Mastercard for its quality, PagSeguro and Nexi for value; we reintroduce Paytm to the shorts, adding it to...

Victor Galliano

Citi’s Mexican Exit; Our Thoughts on “new Banamex”

Citi sale of its Mexican commercial bank, new Banamex, will need the acquirer to control opex; in this report we estimate the valuation range &...

Victor Galliano