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>We introduce our Japanese big cap banks scorecard; from this, we pick Resona, Mizuho and SMFG with our wildcard being Shizuoka</li>
<li>The scorecard metrics measure leverage to higher interest rates, LDRs, levels of cash balances, bond exposures, cross-holdings and valuations; from this, we derive a weighted ranking for each bank</li>
<li>We remove Concordia from our buy list; we prefer Shizuoka for its better leverage to rising rates and high ratio of cross-holdings to market capitalization with a holdings reduction plan</li>
</ul>


We introduce our Japanese big cap banks scorecard; from this, we pick Resona, Mizuho and SMFG with our wildcard being Shizuoka
The scorecard metrics measure leverage to higher interest rates, LDRs, levels of cash balances, bond exposures, cross-holdings and valuations; from this, we derive a weighted ranking for each bank
We remove Concordia from our buy list; we prefer Shizuoka for its better leverage to rising rates and high ratio of cross-holdings to market capitalization with a holdings reduction plan


Japanese Big Cap Banks – Three Scorecard Stand-Outs, and One Wildcard

<ul>
<li>BoJ raised rates to 0.5% at its January policy meeting and BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda hinted at more rate hikes; BoJ’s new Outlook Report forecasts higher core inflation in 2025</li>
<li>We reiterate our core recommendations Resona and Mizuho for their leverage to higher interest rates, their low LDRs, their high levels of cash at the BoJ and their modest valuation</li>
<li>We also keep our buys on Concordia and Shizuoka, for their leverage to higher interest rates and LDRs below 90%, along with their attractive valuations highlighted by low PEGs</li>
</ul>


BoJ raised rates to 0.5% at its January policy meeting and BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda hinted at more rate hikes; BoJ’s new Outlook Report forecasts higher core inflation in 2025
We reiterate our core recommendations Resona and Mizuho for their leverage to higher interest rates, their low LDRs, their high levels of cash at the BoJ and their modest valuation
We also keep our buys on Concordia and Shizuoka, for their leverage to higher interest rates and LDRs below 90%, along with their attractive valuations highlighted by low PEGs


Japanese Big Cap Banks – Revisiting Interest Rate Sensitivities

<ul>
<li>Market expectations that the BoJ’s monetary policy meeting will raise benchmark interest rates in December are reflected in the rising JGB yields, and in the domestic lending rate trends</li>
<li>We reiterate our core recommendations of Resona and Mizuho for their leverage to higher interest rates, their low LDRs and their high share of strategic holdings relative to market capitalisation</li>
<li>We reduce Chiba to neutral from buy, keep our buy on Concordia; we add Shizuoka for its gearing to higher interest rates and very high share of strategic shareholdings</li>
</ul>


Market expectations that the BoJ’s monetary policy meeting will raise benchmark interest rates in December are reflected in the rising JGB yields, and in the domestic lending rate trends
We reiterate our core recommendations of Resona and Mizuho for their leverage to higher interest rates, their low LDRs and their high share of strategic holdings relative to market capitalisation
We reduce Chiba to neutral from buy, keep our buy on Concordia; we add Shizuoka for its gearing to higher interest rates and very high share of strategic shareholdings


Japanese Big Cap Banks – Shizuoka (5831 JP) Upgraded to Buy, Chiba (8331 JP) To Neutral from Buy

<ul>
<li>The Bank of Japan has raised its short-term interest rate to 0.25% from 0.1% ahead of the core of consensus expectations, and BoJ plans to pare back purchases of JGBs</li>
<li>We focus on those big-cap Japanese banks that are well geared into higher domestic rates through loan books and BoJ deposits, that also have lesser exposure to rising JGB yields</li>
<li>We stay broadly positive on Japanese bank shares, despite their performance; we add Chiba to the buy list of Resona, Mizuho, SMFG and Concordia, whilst keeping Kyoto as a sell</li>
</ul>


The Bank of Japan has raised its short-term interest rate to 0.25% from 0.1% ahead of the core of consensus expectations, and BoJ plans to pare back purchases of JGBs
We focus on those big-cap Japanese banks that are well geared into higher domestic rates through loan books and BoJ deposits, that also have lesser exposure to rising JGB yields
We stay broadly positive on Japanese bank shares, despite their performance; we add Chiba to the buy list of Resona, Mizuho, SMFG and Concordia, whilst keeping Kyoto as a sell


Japanese Big-Cap Banks – Rates Story Takes Centre Stage, Along with Banks’ JGB Exposure

Kyoto Financial Group  / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Kyoto Financial’s stakes in three key listed Japanese corporates are valued at over 85% of its market capitalization with its total equity holdings accounting for 130%+ of its market capitalization</li>
<li>Kyoto management intends to retain the bulk of the bank’s equity holdings, opposing the growing trend for Japanese listed companies to unwind crossholdings; management will review this policy in November</li>
<li>In the near term, we see no major catalyst for Kyoto to accelerate its equity holdings unwind and so, combined with its underwhelming fundamentals, we are negative on Kyoto Financial</li>
</ul>


Kyoto Financial’s stakes in three key listed Japanese corporates are valued at over 85% of its market capitalization with its total equity holdings accounting for 130%+ of its market capitalization
Kyoto management intends to retain the bulk of the bank’s equity holdings, opposing the growing trend for Japanese listed companies to unwind crossholdings; management will review this policy in November
In the near term, we see no major catalyst for Kyoto to accelerate its equity holdings unwind and so, combined with its underwhelming fundamentals, we are negative on Kyoto Financial


Kyoto Financial Group (5844 JP) – Limited Shareholdings Unwind, for Now

Japan

Kyoto Financial Group, Inc. offers financial services. The Company provides commodity securities transaction, securities investment, trust, credit guarantee, banking related services, and other services. Kyoto Financial Group also operates real estate management and leasing, economic research, and other businesses.

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Kyoto Financial Group (5844 JP)

Japanese Big Cap Banks – Three Scorecard Stand-Outs, and One Wildcard

Introducing Japanese big cap banks scorecard: Resona, Mizuho, SMFG top picks with Shizuoka as the wildcard; metrics measure leverage, LDRs, cash...

Victor Galliano

Japanese Big Cap Banks – Revisiting Interest Rate Sensitivities

BoJ raises rates to 0.5% and hints at more hikes, forecasting higher inflation in 2025. Buy Resona, Mizuho, Concordia, and Shizuoka due primarily...

Victor Galliano

Japanese Big Cap Banks – Shizuoka (5831 JP) Upgraded to Buy, Chiba (8331 JP) To Neutral from Buy

Expectations are for BoJ to hike rates, potentially in December; we like Resona, Mizuho, Concordia, Shizuoka for higher rates gearing, low LDRs,...

Victor Galliano

Japanese Big-Cap Banks – Rates Story Takes Centre Stage, Along with Banks’ JGB Exposure

Bank of Japan raises short-term interest rate to 0.25%, plans to reduce JGB purchases. We like Resona, Mizuho, SMFG, Concordia big-cap bank shares...

Victor Galliano