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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Rakuten Bank, in its present form, is positioned to benefit from rising interest rates in Japan, with its low LDR, high cash balances, growing loan book and healthy capital ratio</li>
<li>The proposed FinTech reorganization of the group around the bank should drive further potential shareholder benefits; higher ROE, lower customer acquisition costs, increased active account penetration and lower operating costs</li>
<li>We believe that there will be effective governance checks and balances in place to ensure fair valuations of the FinTech segments pre-reorganization; we include our base valuations in this report</li>
</ul>


Rakuten Bank, in its present form, is positioned to benefit from rising interest rates in Japan, with its low LDR, high cash balances, growing loan book and healthy capital ratio
The proposed FinTech reorganization of the group around the bank should drive further potential shareholder benefits; higher ROE, lower customer acquisition costs, increased active account penetration and lower operating costs
We believe that there will be effective governance checks and balances in place to ensure fair valuations of the FinTech segments pre-reorganization; we include our base valuations in this report


Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) – The Bank in Current Form and the Promise of FinTech Reorganization

Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Japan's domestic credit growth is now running at 4.2% YoY in the latest month in February 2024. </li>
<li>The slope of Japan's domestic credit growth is greater than all developed Asia Pacific peer countries.</li>
<li>Weaker JPY can further raise interest in tourism, and USD translation of earnings for megabanks.</li>
</ul>


Japan's domestic credit growth is now running at 4.2% YoY in the latest month in February 2024. 
The slope of Japan's domestic credit growth is greater than all developed Asia Pacific peer countries.
Weaker JPY can further raise interest in tourism, and USD translation of earnings for megabanks.


Japan - Domestic Credit Growth Acceleration Higher Than Developed Asian Countries

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Despite Rakuten Bank shares’ re-rating, we believe it remains attractive, with its strong balance sheet and its low cost base with undemanding valuations compared to its Asian digital banking peers</li>
<li>Rakuten Bank is well positioned to benefit from the negative interest rate policy exit in Japan, with its low LDR, high cash balances, growing loan book and healthy capital ratio</li>
<li>It continues to leverage off the Rakuten Group eco-system, as a low cost source of new customers; nearly a third of clients use Rakuten Bank as their primary Japanese bank</li>
</ul>


Despite Rakuten Bank shares’ re-rating, we believe it remains attractive, with its strong balance sheet and its low cost base with undemanding valuations compared to its Asian digital banking peers
Rakuten Bank is well positioned to benefit from the negative interest rate policy exit in Japan, with its low LDR, high cash balances, growing loan book and healthy capital ratio
It continues to leverage off the Rakuten Group eco-system, as a low cost source of new customers; nearly a third of clients use Rakuten Bank as their primary Japanese bank


Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) Stands Out from the Other Asian Digital Banks

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>The Rakuten Bank offering in early December was a great time to buy the dip of you sold end-September. It should have been a good time to buy outright.</li>
<li>Unfortunately, the stock priced at ¥2,470, then closed that day at ¥2,500. That was the high for the next ten weeks. Two weeks later it was 20% lower. Ouch.</li>
<li>But it climbed out of the abyss, gained 35% in 8wks, then Thursday the Bank announced a new Shareholder Benefit program. Today the stock was +7%. Worth looking at details.</li>
</ul>


The Rakuten Bank offering in early December was a great time to buy the dip of you sold end-September. It should have been a good time to buy outright.
Unfortunately, the stock priced at ¥2,470, then closed that day at ¥2,500. That was the high for the next ten weeks. Two weeks later it was 20% lower. Ouch.
But it climbed out of the abyss, gained 35% in 8wks, then Thursday the Bank announced a new Shareholder Benefit program. Today the stock was +7%. Worth looking at details.


Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) - Introduces a Yutai Program to Goose the Mar24 Price, Mar25 EPS

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/trial-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36821:1" rel="noopener">Trial Holdings (5882 JP)</a> priced its IPO at JPY1,700 per share to raise gross proceeds of US$256 million. The shares will start trading on 21 March.</li>
<li>We previously discussed the IPO in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/trial-holdings-ipo-the-investment-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:130521" rel="noopener">Trial Holdings IPO: The Investment Case</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/trial-holdings-ipo-valuation-thoughts" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:132126" rel="noopener">Trial Holdings IPO: Valuation Thoughts</a>. </li>
<li>The peers have modestly re-rated since the prospectus was released on February 19. The IPO price remains attractive. </li>
</ul>



Trial Holdings (5882 JP) priced its IPO at JPY1,700 per share to raise gross proceeds of US$256 million. The shares will start trading on 21 March.
We previously discussed the IPO in Trial Holdings IPO: The Investment Case and Trial Holdings IPO: Valuation Thoughts. 
The peers have modestly re-rated since the prospectus was released on February 19. The IPO price remains attractive. 


Japan

SBI Sumishin Net Bank, Ltd. offers general banking services. The Company provides transfer accounts, deposits, currency savings, mortgages, net loans, investment trusts, insurance products, and other banking services. SBI Sumishin Net Bank offers services to individuals and businesses.

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SBI Sumishin Net Bank (7163 JP)

Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) – The Bank in Current Form and the Promise of FinTech Reorganization

Rakuten Bank is set to benefit from rising interest rates in Japan, with potential shareholder benefits from proposed FinTech reorganization; we...

Victor Galliano

Japan - Domestic Credit Growth Acceleration Higher Than Developed Asian Countries

Japan bank's domestic credit growth is stronger than most others in developed Asia, and the pace of growth is far stronger now compared with early...

Daniel Tabbush

Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) Stands Out from the Other Asian Digital Banks

Rakuten Bank's shares have re-rated but remain attractive with solid balance sheet, low cost base, ability to leverage the Rakuten Group eco...

Victor Galliano

Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) - Introduces a Yutai Program to Goose the Mar24 Price, Mar25 EPS

Rakuten Bank reached new highs on Friday. This is a reminder that they announced something to goose the price into fiscal year-end. Worth keeping...

Travis Lundy

Trial Holdings IPO: Trading Debut

The shares will start trading on 21 March. The peers have modestly re-rated since the prospectus was released on February 19. The IPO price remains...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) – The Bank in Current Form and the Promise of FinTech Reorganization

​Rakuten Bank is set to benefit from rising interest rates in Japan, with potential shareholder benefits from proposed FinTech reorganization; we...

Victor Galliano

Japan - Domestic Credit Growth Acceleration Higher Than Developed Asian Countries

Japan bank's domestic credit growth is stronger than most others in developed Asia, and the pace of growth is far stronger now compared with early...

Daniel Tabbush

Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) Stands Out from the Other Asian Digital Banks

​Rakuten Bank's shares have re-rated but remain attractive with solid balance sheet, low cost base, ability to leverage the Rakuten Group eco...

Victor Galliano

Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) - Introduces a Yutai Program to Goose the Mar24 Price, Mar25 EPS

Rakuten Bank reached new highs on Friday. This is a reminder that they announced something to goose the price into fiscal year-end. Worth keeping...

Travis Lundy

Trial Holdings IPO: Trading Debut

The shares will start trading on 21 March. The peers have modestly re-rated since the prospectus was released on February 19. The IPO price remains...

Arun George

Rakuten Bank is set to benefit from rising interest rates in Japan, with potential shareholder benefits from proposed FinTech reorganization; we...

Rakuten Bank's shares have re-rated but remain attractive with solid balance sheet, low cost base, ability to leverage the Rakuten Group eco...