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>BoJ’s lower GDP growth forecasts add weight to the rate hike deferral; we focus on big-cap banks that have more in the tank than high gearing to rising benchmark rates</li>
<li>An increasingly important factor, in our view, is the share of strategic equity holdings relative to market capitalization; Kyoto is top on this metric, followed by Shizuoka, Resona and Mizuho</li>
<li>With the lack of the rate hike catalyst in the near term, we remove SMFG from the buy list and would look to lighten holdings selectively in other Japanese banks</li>
</ul>


BoJ’s lower GDP growth forecasts add weight to the rate hike deferral; we focus on big-cap banks that have more in the tank than high gearing to rising benchmark rates
An increasingly important factor, in our view, is the share of strategic equity holdings relative to market capitalization; Kyoto is top on this metric, followed by Shizuoka, Resona and Mizuho
With the lack of the rate hike catalyst in the near term, we remove SMFG from the buy list and would look to lighten holdings selectively in other Japanese banks


Japanese Big Cap Banks – Focusing on Strategic Equity Holdings as BoJ Likely to Defer Rate Hikes

Kyoto Financial Group  / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Kyoto Financial’s president has hinted at increasing disposals in strategic equity holdings; the prior target was a JPY100bn reduction in holdings by March 2029, now there is talk of JPY200-300bn</li>
<li>We estimate Kyoto Financial’s equity holdings relative to market cap at 140%+, well above its peer banks; yet, until very recently, the president had been against meaningfully reducing equity holdings</li>
<li>The president’s change of view leads us to upgrade Kyoto Financial to a buy; the change in outlook means that there is real potential to extract value for shareholders</li>
</ul>


Kyoto Financial’s president has hinted at increasing disposals in strategic equity holdings; the prior target was a JPY100bn reduction in holdings by March 2029, now there is talk of JPY200-300bn
We estimate Kyoto Financial’s equity holdings relative to market cap at 140%+, well above its peer banks; yet, until very recently, the president had been against meaningfully reducing equity holdings
The president’s change of view leads us to upgrade Kyoto Financial to a buy; the change in outlook means that there is real potential to extract value for shareholders


Kyoto Financial Group (TSE:5844) – Positive Shift in C-Suite Outlook

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Global macro hurdles following “liberation day” have hit Japanese banks’ share prices hard; global recession risks are on the rise and BoJ monetary policy normalization is at best delayed</li>
<li>With investors betting on the safe haven of Japanese government bonds, the JGB yield curve has flattened since March-end which adds to the Japanese banks’ hurdles</li>
<li>Despite maintaining our constructive medium to long term view on Japanese banks, we expect challenges in the near-term and we would reduce long exposures to Resona, Mizuho, SMFG and Shizuoka</li>
</ul>


Global macro hurdles following “liberation day” have hit Japanese banks’ share prices hard; global recession risks are on the rise and BoJ monetary policy normalization is at best delayed
With investors betting on the safe haven of Japanese government bonds, the JGB yield curve has flattened since March-end which adds to the Japanese banks’ hurdles
Despite maintaining our constructive medium to long term view on Japanese banks, we expect challenges in the near-term and we would reduce long exposures to Resona, Mizuho, SMFG and Shizuoka


Japanese Big Cap Banks – Trump’s Trade War Headwinds

<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

Equity Derivatives Broker - Delta One Japan, Vantage Capital Markets Japan

François-Xavier Pustoc'h

Equity Derivatives Broker - Delta One Japan

Independent Financial Broker

Vantage Capital Markets Japan

We provide world class financial solutions to our extensive institutional client base including rapidly growing corporations, leading investment banks, commercial banks, asset managers, private equity funds, family offices and hedge funds.

Our services include capital market offerings and placements, wholesale brokerage and execution of cash and derivative products (both listed and OTC) across a range of asset classes.

VCM has offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Dubai from where we service our global client base. Our strength lies in the experience and quality of our teams, supported by excellent operations and infrastructure.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Rebalancing Candidates ADD: Kokusai Electric Corp (6525.T): High Liquidity Group<br>TOP 75, BayCurrent Inc (6532.T), Shift Inc (3697.T)</li>
<li>Rebalancing Candidates DEL: Mitsubishi Logistics Corp. (9301.T), Okuma Corp.<br>(6103.T), Tokuyama Corp (4043.T)</li>
<li>Capping Ratio: Fast Retailing Co Ltd (9983.T)’s Price Adjustment Factor from 2.7 to<br>2.4</li>
</ul>


Rebalancing Candidates ADD: Kokusai Electric Corp (6525.T): High Liquidity Group TOP 75, BayCurrent Inc (6532.T), Shift Inc (3697.T)
Rebalancing Candidates DEL: Mitsubishi Logistics Corp. (9301.T), Okuma Corp. (6103.T), Tokuyama Corp (4043.T)
Capping Ratio: Fast Retailing Co Ltd (9983.T)’s Price Adjustment Factor from 2.7 to 2.4


Nikkei 225 Stock Average Rebalancing – January 2025

Japan

Shizuoka Financial Group, Inc. offers banking services. The Company provides deposits, loans, fund management, domestic settlement, and other services. Shizuoka Financial Group provides its services throughout Japan.

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Shizuoka Financial Group (5831 JP)

Japanese Big Cap Banks – Focusing on Strategic Equity Holdings as BoJ Likely to Defer Rate Hikes

Focusing on big-cap banks that have more in the tank than high gearing to rising interest rates; Kyoto is top in terms of share of equity holdings...

Victor Galliano

Kyoto Financial Group (TSE:5844) – Positive Shift in C-Suite Outlook

Kyoto Financial plans to double or triple disposals in equity holdings, which could equate to 40%+ of market cap; we upgrade to a buy rating,...

Victor Galliano

Japanese Big Cap Banks – Trump’s Trade War Headwinds

Trade war means rising recession risks, delayed BoJ rate hike and flatter JGB yield curve; despite the banks' positive long-term outlook, reduce...

Victor Galliano

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

Nikkei 225 Stock Average Rebalancing – January 2025

As per the “Periodic Review” conducted twice a year by Nikkei Inc. (Nikkei), the constituents of Nikkei 225 will be reviewed and changed at the end...

Vantage Capital Markets Japan

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japanese Big Cap Banks – Focusing on Strategic Equity Holdings as BoJ Likely to Defer Rate Hikes

Focusing on big-cap banks that have more in the tank than high gearing to rising interest rates; Kyoto is top in terms of share of equity holdings...

Victor Galliano

Kyoto Financial Group (TSE:5844) – Positive Shift in C-Suite Outlook

​Kyoto Financial plans to double or triple disposals in equity holdings, which could equate to 40%+ of market cap; we upgrade to a buy rating,...

Victor Galliano

Japanese Big Cap Banks – Trump’s Trade War Headwinds

Trade war means rising recession risks, delayed BoJ rate hike and flatter JGB yield curve; despite the banks' positive long-term outlook, reduce...

Victor Galliano

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

Nikkei 225 Stock Average Rebalancing – January 2025

As per the “Periodic Review” conducted twice a year by Nikkei Inc. (Nikkei), the constituents of Nikkei 225 will be reviewed and changed at the end...

Vantage Capital Markets Japan

Kyoto Financial plans to double or triple disposals in equity holdings, which could equate to 40%+ of market cap; we upgrade to a buy rating,...

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