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>Management’s successful execution to 4Q23 has driven its LTM ROE of 18%+ and ROA of 2.6%; in Brazil, the focus is to grow secured lending and further penetrate high-income retail</li>
<li>In Mexico, management aims to leverage off the deposit base and build its credit business, as well as establishing itself in Colombia; challenges include containing capital consumption and credit delinquency</li>
<li>In Mexico especially, the competitive climate in digital banking is intensifying which puts pressure on customer acquisition costs, costs to serve, and it could drive up credit delinquency risks</li>
</ul>


Management’s successful execution to 4Q23 has driven its LTM ROE of 18%+ and ROA of 2.6%; in Brazil, the focus is to grow secured lending and further penetrate high-income retail
In Mexico, management aims to leverage off the deposit base and build its credit business, as well as establishing itself in Colombia; challenges include containing capital consumption and credit delinquency
In Mexico especially, the competitive climate in digital banking is intensifying which puts pressure on customer acquisition costs, costs to serve, and it could drive up credit delinquency risks


<ul>
<li>We turn positive on Banco PAN, for its consistently improving operational metrics to 3Q23, attractive valuations and sound capital adequacy</li>
<li>Nubank is operationally strong but we remain cautious on Nubank shares as we see this neobank to be challenged by capital constraints, as well as being on stretched valuations</li>
<li>Inter has been improving operationally, and is sound on capital but is in the shadow of PAN in terms of valuations; KakaoBank is sound operationally and one to watch</li>
</ul>


We turn positive on Banco PAN, for its consistently improving operational metrics to 3Q23, attractive valuations and sound capital adequacy
Nubank is operationally strong but we remain cautious on Nubank shares as we see this neobank to be challenged by capital constraints, as well as being on stretched valuations
Inter has been improving operationally, and is sound on capital but is in the shadow of PAN in terms of valuations; KakaoBank is sound operationally and one to watch


EM Neobanks – Positive on Banco PAN, Cautious on Nubank & KakaoBank Is One to Watch

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/arm-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21816:1" rel="noopener">ARM Holdings (ARM US)</a> has priced its IPO at US$51.00 per ADS, at the top end of the price range. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a> will raise gross proceeds of US$4.9bn.</li>
<li>We previously discussed the IPO in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/arm-holdings-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:111238" rel="noopener">ARM Holdings IPO: The Bull Case</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/arm-holdings-ipo-the-bear-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:111471" rel="noopener">ARM Holdings IPO: The Bear Case</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/arm-holdings-ipo-unattractive-price-range" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:112285" rel="noopener">ARM Holdings IPO: Unattractive Price Range</a>. </li>
<li>The ARM IPO is structurally set up for a first-day pop. Beyond the first-day euphoria, ARM will face the daunting task of delivering bullish estimates to justify the IPO price.</li>
</ul>



ARM Holdings (ARM US) has priced its IPO at US$51.00 per ADS, at the top end of the price range. Softbank Group (9984 JP) will raise gross proceeds of US$4.9bn.
We previously discussed the IPO in ARM Holdings IPO: The Bull Case, ARM Holdings IPO: The Bear Case and ARM Holdings IPO: Unattractive Price Range. 
The ARM IPO is structurally set up for a first-day pop. Beyond the first-day euphoria, ARM will face the daunting task of delivering bullish estimates to justify the IPO price.


ARM Holdings IPO Trading: Structurally Set up for a First-Day Pop, but Then What?

<ul><li>We remain positive on Rakuten Bank, with its group ecosphere as a source of customer growth, its low cost base, and extremely low NPL ratio</li><li>Rakuten Bank trades on the lowest PE multiple of the neobank peer group , with the low ROE to PBV ratio close to the best of its neobank peers</li><li>Nubank shares have done well since we upgraded to a buy in January; we recommend investors to take profits given Nubank’s  limited potential for positive surprises and its stretched valuations</li></ul>

We remain positive on Rakuten Bank, with its group ecosphere as a source of customer growth, its low cost base, and extremely low NPL ratioRakuten Bank trades on the lowest PE multiple of the neobank peer group , with the low ROE to PBV ratio close to the best of its neobank peersNubank shares have done well since we upgraded to a buy in January; we recommend investors to take profits given Nubank’s  limited potential for positive surprises and its stretched valuations

EM & Japan Neobanks – Stick with Rakuten Bank (5838 JP), but Time to Take Profits on Nubank (NU US)

<ul>
<li>The sharp run-up in the share price since its IPO does not, in our view, mean that Rakuten Bank’s rally is done; there is further fundamental justification for a re-rating</li>
<li>Rakuten Bank trades on a LTM PE multiple of 14.4x, LTM PBV ratio of 1.6x and an ROE of 13.2%, which is the best return of our neobank peers</li>
<li>Relative to its peer group, Rakuten Bank has premium long-run growth prospects; conservatively estimating Rakuten Bank’s growth (8% pa), implies a PEG ratio in the range of 1.2x to 1.3x</li>
</ul>


The sharp run-up in the share price since its IPO does not, in our view, mean that Rakuten Bank’s rally is done; there is further fundamental justification for a re-rating
Rakuten Bank trades on a LTM PE multiple of 14.4x, LTM PBV ratio of 1.6x and an ROE of 13.2%, which is the best return of our neobank peers
Relative to its peer group, Rakuten Bank has premium long-run growth prospects; conservatively estimating Rakuten Bank’s growth (8% pa), implies a PEG ratio in the range of 1.2x to 1.3x


Rakuten Bank (5838 JP): Premium Growth Neobank Still Trading at Attractive Valuations

Brazil

Nu Holdings Ltd. is a Brazilian financial technology firm that offers digital banking services, including credit and debit cards, mobile payment solutions, and investment platforms. The company provides spending, transactional, savings, investing, borrowing, and protection solutions for individuals and businesses across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Nu Holdings Ltd. was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil.

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Nu Holdings (NU US)

Nubank (NU US): The Challenges for 2024

Nubank Brazil's focus is growing secured lending and high-income retail, while Nu Mexico aims to build the credit book; hurdles include containing...

Victor Galliano

EM Neobanks – Positive on Banco PAN, Cautious on Nubank & KakaoBank Is One to Watch

Positive on Banco PAN for healthy metrics, attractive valuations and capital adequacy. Cautious on Nubank due to capital erosion and lofty...

Victor Galliano

ARM Holdings IPO Trading: Structurally Set up for a First-Day Pop, but Then What?

The ARM IPO is structurally set up for a first-day pop. Beyond the first-day euphoria, ARM will face the daunting task of delivering bullish...

Arun George

EM & Japan Neobanks – Stick with Rakuten Bank (5838 JP), but Time to Take Profits on Nubank (NU US)

In listed neobanks, we stay positive on Rakuten bank for its growth potential and attractive valuation, but it is time to take profits on Nubank.

Victor Galliano

Rakuten Bank (5838 JP): Premium Growth Neobank Still Trading at Attractive Valuations

Rakuten Bank’s mix of relative value metrics and premium growth potential are clear positive drivers for its further re-rating potential; company...

Victor Galliano

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Nubank (NU US): The Challenges for 2024

Nubank Brazil's focus is growing secured lending and high-income retail, while Nu Mexico aims to build the credit book; hurdles include containing...

Victor Galliano

EM Neobanks – Positive on Banco PAN, Cautious on Nubank & KakaoBank Is One to Watch

​Positive on Banco PAN for healthy metrics, attractive valuations and capital adequacy. Cautious on Nubank due to capital erosion and lofty...

Victor Galliano

ARM Holdings IPO Trading: Structurally Set up for a First-Day Pop, but Then What?

The ARM IPO is structurally set up for a first-day pop. Beyond the first-day euphoria, ARM will face the daunting task of delivering bullish...

Arun George

EM & Japan Neobanks – Stick with Rakuten Bank (5838 JP), but Time to Take Profits on Nubank (NU US)

In listed neobanks, we stay positive on Rakuten bank for its growth potential and attractive valuation, but it is time to take profits on Nubank.

Victor Galliano

Rakuten Bank (5838 JP): Premium Growth Neobank Still Trading at Attractive Valuations

Rakuten Bank’s mix of relative value metrics and premium growth potential are clear positive drivers for its further re-rating potential; company...

Victor Galliano

Positive on Banco PAN for healthy metrics, attractive valuations and capital adequacy. Cautious on Nubank due to capital erosion and lofty...