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>The market is likely to fear that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-do-brasil-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24564:1" rel="noopener">Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ)</a> CEO Andre Brandao’s resignation threatens the restructuring plan, and other pro-market management initiatives</li>
<li>The replacement candidate for CEO is internal, according to press reports, which could imply lesser potential for restructuring, and limited potential for enhanced returns going forward</li>
<li>Despite these concerns, it is relevant to stress that the bank has a relatively strong balance sheet, with an improved core capital ratio and healthy credit quality metrics; rising benchmark rates in Brazil should also support credit spreads going forward</li>
<li>We expect near term downside to the share price, but given its current 64% and 57% PBV ratio discounts to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itau-unibanco-holding-sa-9d47d196-e503-471b-a84e-ca4401033062" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24550:1" rel="noopener">Itau Unibanco Holding Sa (ITUB4 BZ)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-bradesco-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24569:1" rel="noopener">Banco Bradesco Sa (BBDC4 BZ)</a>  respectively, a lot seems priced in; the current PBV ratio discounts are close the maximum discounts of the last five years</li>
<li>The share price downside should be limited, in our view, as the market was already cautious on the Banco do Brasil stock following the Petrobras CEO removal</li>
<li>Risks to our view include a more interventionist and populist approach by government towards the management and the strategic direction of Banco do Brasil, as well as a weaker than expected economic recovery leading to higher than expected delinquencies and cost of risk going forward</li>
</ul>


The market is likely to fear that Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ) CEO Andre Brandao’s resignation threatens the restructuring plan, and other pro-market management initiatives
The replacement candidate for CEO is internal, according to press reports, which could imply lesser potential for restructuring, and limited potential for enhanced returns going forward
Despite these concerns, it is relevant to stress that the bank has a relatively strong balance sheet, with an improved core capital ratio and healthy credit quality metrics; rising benchmark rates in Brazil should also support credit spreads going forward
We expect near term downside to the share price, but given its current 64% and 57% PBV ratio discounts to Itau Unibanco Holding Sa (ITUB4 BZ) and Banco Bradesco Sa (BBDC4 BZ)  respectively, a lot seems priced in; the current PBV ratio discounts are close the maximum discounts of the last five years
The share price downside should be limited, in our view, as the market was already cautious on the Banco do Brasil stock following the Petrobras CEO removal
Risks to our view include a more interventionist and populist approach by government towards the management and the strategic direction of Banco do Brasil, as well as a weaker than expected economic recovery leading to higher than expected delinquencies and cost of risk going forward


Banco Do Brasil (BBAS3 BZ): CEO Resignation, near Term Downside, but How Much Is Already Discounted?

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bradespar-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24510:1" rel="noopener">Bradespar SA (BRAP4 BZ)</a> is an attractive investment, as a discounted vehicle through which to gain exposure to iron ore miner <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vale-sa-7721577f-6c6a-4536-a829-92551c2bcd7f" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27725:1" rel="noopener">Vale SA (VALE3 BZ)</a> </li>
<li>We believe that the current 25% discount to the NAV at Bradespar is excessive, and that this should narrow in the near term</li>
<li>Vale’s fundamentals are robust, supported by s strong iron ore price and, as an exporter, benefiting from a weak BRL</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itausa-investimentos-itau-pr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24513:1" rel="noopener">Itausa-Investimentos Itau-Pr (ITSA4 BZ)</a> is trading close to its long run and 18 month average discount to the NAV; we are neutral on Itausa</li>
<li>Risks to our positive view on Bradespar include a sustained weakening in iron ore prices, a strengthening of the BRL as well as a worsening of sentiment towards Brazil and Latin American equities generally</li>
</ul>



Bradespar SA (BRAP4 BZ) is an attractive investment, as a discounted vehicle through which to gain exposure to iron ore miner Vale SA (VALE3 BZ) 
We believe that the current 25% discount to the NAV at Bradespar is excessive, and that this should narrow in the near term
Vale’s fundamentals are robust, supported by s strong iron ore price and, as an exporter, benefiting from a weak BRL

Itausa-Investimentos Itau-Pr (ITSA4 BZ) is trading close to its long run and 18 month average discount to the NAV; we are neutral on Itausa
Risks to our positive view on Bradespar include a sustained weakening in iron ore prices, a strengthening of the BRL as well as a worsening of sentiment towards Brazil and Latin American equities generally


A Tale of Two Brazilian HoldCos; We Prefer Bradespar (BRAP4 BZ) Over Itausa (ITSA4 BZ)

<ul>
<li>The macro-economic and political backdrop for Brazil is a challenging one, which has driven the poor performance of Brazil assets and the BRL</li>
<li>Governance concerns re <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-do-brasil-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24564:1" rel="noopener">Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ)</a>, in the wake of the removal of the Petrobras CEO, have added to the negative share price impact, yet we see cause for optimism</li>
<li>Attractive absolute valuations, as well as relatively low PBV ratios, are discounting a lot of the bad news</li>
<li>Banco do Brasil’s balance sheet is much improved at YE 2020, in terms of capital adequacy as well as NPL coverage, and its exposure to higher risk loan segments is limited</li>
<li>The prospect of rising benchmark interest rates is already leading to better new loan pricing sector-wide and the potential of recovering credit spreads contributes to the bull case</li>
<li>Risks to our positive view on Banco do Brasil include the removal of its market oriented CEO, worse than expected credit delinquency going forward as well as a less than expected positive impact from rising spreads</li>
</ul>


The macro-economic and political backdrop for Brazil is a challenging one, which has driven the poor performance of Brazil assets and the BRL
Governance concerns re Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ), in the wake of the removal of the Petrobras CEO, have added to the negative share price impact, yet we see cause for optimism
Attractive absolute valuations, as well as relatively low PBV ratios, are discounting a lot of the bad news
Banco do Brasil’s balance sheet is much improved at YE 2020, in terms of capital adequacy as well as NPL coverage, and its exposure to higher risk loan segments is limited
The prospect of rising benchmark interest rates is already leading to better new loan pricing sector-wide and the potential of recovering credit spreads contributes to the bull case
Risks to our positive view on Banco do Brasil include the removal of its market oriented CEO, worse than expected credit delinquency going forward as well as a less than expected positive impact from rising spreads


Brazil Banks - Market Concerns Overdone, with the Banco Do Brasil (BBAS3 BZ) Strengths Under-Rated

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Asia headquartered banks fared well despite the global tantrum without taper in the Treasury markets. Asia headquartered bond prices fell by less than their benchmark Treasury market notes, resulting in a bout of credit outperformance. Almost all bonds tightened in credit spread terms as investors remained anchored to banks as an economic recovery play. Moderate duration, lower risk, bonds continued to outperform, although there were pockets of outperformance in China-headquartered Additional Tier 1 bonds.Bonds in the belly of the curve, that is those maturing or callable in five-years, outperformed longer dated notes. Moderate duration bonds led as investors lost faith in an inflation free economic recovery which would cap market rate rises. This is the opposite of last weeks’ performance, wherein even longer-duration note outperformed. That seemed odd given policymakers repeated statements that they would let the US economy run hot at the risk of stoking inflation. The rapid sell-off in US Treasuries during the week is evidence of market jitters regarding eventual inflation expectations.The pressure on U.S. Treasuries is largely in-line with what we have been cautioning on since the Senate run-off results in Georgia last month. Friday’s correction at the long end may be tested again.Admittedly, however, we are surprised by the credit strength of Asia-headquartered financials during the global rates rout. We attribute this to two items. First, China is further along the Covid-19 curve in recovery and will clearly benefit as the rest of the world catches-up. Second, financials are a leverage play on the global recovery. Taken together, Asia financials overall are well placed to continue outperforming other markets over the near term.Given the rate of change over the last two weeks, things are moving fast. We identify potential opportunities within. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/state-bank-of-india" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:160:1" rel="noopener">State Bank of India (SBIN IN)</a> represents one credit curve where better opportunities exist in shorter duration bonds, however, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-mandiri-persero-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:441:1" rel="noopener">Bank Mandiri (BMRI IJ)</a> may offer even better values, as we note within.Market Outlook: This week’s Treasury market tantrum was not induced by Fed tapering, but it is a reminder of what it may look like when the Fed does dial back its asset purchases. Combined with the strength of the risk-on moves, this makes us uneasy. Financial repression creates a market, which in its nature, is always a one-sided bet with the Fed / ECB/ BOJ.  There is limited price discover as the market is simply sentiment driven. Credit value should remain driven by larger market forces. However, we may be fast approaching a point where the market outpaces the rate of expected economic recovery, and / or the market outpaces the rate that can be achieved without incurring substantial financial stability concerns. Our preference is for lower duration bonds, preferably in the belly of the curve. Please see our recent <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-macro-manifest-risk-rally-gathers-steam-as-bad-news-more-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bank Macro Manifest</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-credit-strategy-melt-up-before-meltdown-where-to-position" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bank Credit Strategy</a> notes for more details.

Asia headquartered banks fared well despite the global tantrum without taper in the Treasury markets. Asia headquartered bond prices fell by less than their benchmark Treasury market notes, resulting in a bout of credit outperformance. Almost all bonds tightened in credit spread terms as investors remained anchored to banks as an economic recovery play. Moderate duration, lower risk, bonds continued to outperform, although there were pockets of outperformance in China-headquartered Additional Tier 1 bonds.Bonds in the belly of the curve, that is those maturing or callable in five-years, outperformed longer dated notes. Moderate duration bonds led as investors lost faith in an inflation free economic recovery which would cap market rate rises. This is the opposite of last weeks’ performance, wherein even longer-duration note outperformed. That seemed odd given policymakers repeated statements that they would let the US economy run hot at the risk of stoking inflation. The rapid sell-off in US Treasuries during the week is evidence of market jitters regarding eventual inflation expectations.The pressure on U.S. Treasuries is largely in-line with what we have been cautioning on since the Senate run-off results in Georgia last month. Friday’s correction at the long end may be tested again.Admittedly, however, we are surprised by the credit strength of Asia-headquartered financials during the global rates rout. We attribute this to two items. First, China is further along the Covid-19 curve in recovery and will clearly benefit as the rest of the world catches-up. Second, financials are a leverage play on the global recovery. Taken together, Asia financials overall are well placed to continue outperforming other markets over the near term.Given the rate of change over the last two weeks, things are moving fast. We identify potential opportunities within. State Bank of India (SBIN IN) represents one credit curve where better opportunities exist in shorter duration bonds, however, Bank Mandiri (BMRI IJ) may offer even better values, as we note within.Market Outlook: This week’s Treasury market tantrum was not induced by Fed tapering, but it is a reminder of what it may look like when the Fed does dial back its asset purchases. Combined with the strength of the risk-on moves, this makes us uneasy. Financial repression creates a market, which in its nature, is always a one-sided bet with the Fed / ECB/ BOJ.  There is limited price discover as the market is simply sentiment driven. Credit value should remain driven by larger market forces. However, we may be fast approaching a point where the market outpaces the rate of expected economic recovery, and / or the market outpaces the rate that can be achieved without incurring substantial financial stability concerns. Our preference is for lower duration bonds, preferably in the belly of the curve. Please see our recent Bank Macro Manifest and Bank Credit Strategy notes for more details.

Bank Credit Weekly: Asia Credit Outperforms Despite Treasury Tantrum

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-do-brasil-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24564:1" rel="noopener">Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ)</a> screens reasonably well relative to its peers on credit quality, even if its problem loan (D-H) coverage is relatively low</li>
<li>It has the lowest level of renegotiations as a share of total loans among the big-cap listed banks</li>
<li>More importantly, Banco do Brasil surprised positively in the quarter on capital adequacy</li>
<li>At YE 2020, Banco do Brasil ranks as the strongest of the big-cap listed banks by core capital (CET1) ratio, a total reversal from its weakest position in YE 2019</li>
<li>Despite <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itau-unibanco-holding-sa-9d47d196-e503-471b-a84e-ca4401033062" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24550:1" rel="noopener">Itau Unibanco Holding Sa (ITUB4 BZ)</a> screening best on problem loan (D-H) level and coverage, Banco do Brasil is now strong on capital, and also compelling on its attractive valuation</li>
<li>Risks to our positive view on Banco do Brasil include worse than expected delinquency trends going forward, putting downward pressure on earnings through higher credit costs</li>
</ul>



Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ) screens reasonably well relative to its peers on credit quality, even if its problem loan (D-H) coverage is relatively low
It has the lowest level of renegotiations as a share of total loans among the big-cap listed banks
More importantly, Banco do Brasil surprised positively in the quarter on capital adequacy
At YE 2020, Banco do Brasil ranks as the strongest of the big-cap listed banks by core capital (CET1) ratio, a total reversal from its weakest position in YE 2019
Despite Itau Unibanco Holding Sa (ITUB4 BZ) screening best on problem loan (D-H) level and coverage, Banco do Brasil is now strong on capital, and also compelling on its attractive valuation
Risks to our positive view on Banco do Brasil include worse than expected delinquency trends going forward, putting downward pressure on earnings through higher credit costs


Brazil Banks YE2020 Snapshot II: Banco Do Brasil (BBAS3 BZ) Fair Credit Quality, Positive on Capital

Brazil

Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. is a Brazilian multinational financial conglomerate and the largest bank in Latin America by market value. It offers a comprehensive suite of financial products and services, including retail and wholesale banking, investment banking, asset management, and insurance to individual and corporate clients. The company is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, and traces its origins to 1924, with the merger of Banco Itaú and Unibanco forming the current entity in 2008.

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Itau Unibanco (ITUB4 BR)

Banco Do Brasil (BBAS3 BZ): CEO Resignation, near Term Downside, but How Much Is Already Discounted?

Banco do Brasil CEO's resignation is a near term share price hit, but we see that lots of bad news is priced into its PBV ratio discounts relative...

Victor Galliano

A Tale of Two Brazilian HoldCos; We Prefer Bradespar (BRAP4 BZ) Over Itausa (ITSA4 BZ)

Bradespar holdco is a vehicle that provides discounted exposure to iron ore miner Vale; we see the current 25% discount to the Bradespar NAV as...

Victor Galliano

Brazil Banks - Market Concerns Overdone, with the Banco Do Brasil (BBAS3 BZ) Strengths Under-Rated

Concerns re Brazil macro and governance has hit the Banco do Brasil share price hard; we think the high PBV discount to its core peers is...

Victor Galliano

Bank Credit Weekly: Asia Credit Outperforms Despite Treasury Tantrum

Global bank bond prices fell by less than their benchmark notes, resulting in a bout of credit outperformance. Given the rate of change, there are...

Hank Calenti, CFA

Brazil Banks YE2020 Snapshot II: Banco Do Brasil (BBAS3 BZ) Fair Credit Quality, Positive on Capital

Banco do Brasil screens fairly on credit quality, but has strengthened capital more than its peers in 2020, and remains a clear value option, with...

Victor Galliano

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