Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

On 23 July, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/jason-yap-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:24996" rel="noopener">Jason Yap</a> publised an excellent Insight titled <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bnpl-industry-through-an-esg-lens" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:54887" rel="noopener">BNPL Industry Through an ESG Lens</a>. His knowledge of the "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) industry per se is well beyond mine, so I defer to his report for fundamentals on the industry and its companies.I do, however, have a few thoughts to add regarding ESG. Whilst Jason is spot-on for ESG issues he covered, I want to: 1) point out a potential ESG positive related to inclusive finance and sustainable development, and 2) expand on a major ESG negative associated with advertising and marketing.This is a deep dive into a few specific ESG issues, and hopefully complementary to Jason's work.

On 23 July, Jason Yap publised an excellent Insight titled BNPL Industry Through an ESG Lens. His knowledge of the "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) industry per se is well beyond mine, so I defer to his report for fundamentals on the industry and its companies.I do, however, have a few thoughts to add regarding ESG. Whilst Jason is spot-on for ESG issues he covered, I want to: 1) point out a potential ESG positive related to inclusive finance and sustainable development, and 2) expand on a major ESG negative associated with advertising and marketing.This is a deep dive into a few specific ESG issues, and hopefully complementary to Jason's work.

ESG and BNPL: Whether It's "Buy Now, Pay Later" Or "Buy, Not Pay Later" Makes All the Difference

Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The BNPL industry witnessed unfettered growth in recent years and Apple's latest foray into this space further validates the immense potential of this industry.  Yet, the BNPL industry's rapid growth has far outpaced the development of relevant regulations and risk management protocols and processes and led to market concerns of a debt fuelled spending binge.  Further, certain questionable business practices have recently been placed under the spotlight.  This article examines the BNPL's industry practices versus traditional lenders and its ESG credentials, and explains why the BNPL industry needs to come under greater regulation.

The BNPL industry witnessed unfettered growth in recent years and Apple's latest foray into this space further validates the immense potential of this industry.  Yet, the BNPL industry's rapid growth has far outpaced the development of relevant regulations and risk management protocols and processes and led to market concerns of a debt fuelled spending binge.  Further, certain questionable business practices have recently been placed under the spotlight.  This article examines the BNPL's industry practices versus traditional lenders and its ESG credentials, and explains why the BNPL industry needs to come under greater regulation. 

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Capital Markets

Robinhood Markets  / Equity Capital Markets

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Our base case valuation of Robinhood is implied market cap of US$25.1 billion or US$29.8 per share, which is 25% lower than the mid-point of the IPO price range (US$40). Given the downside risk, we would AVOID this IPO. 
<ul><li>Our valuation of Robinhood is based on an EV/S multiple of 10.7x using our estimated sales of US$2.1 billion in 2022. <ul>
<li>The EV/S multiple of 10.7x is based on the average multiple of the comps in 2022.</li>
<li>The valuation multiple is higher than the those of online brokers Charles Schwab and Interactive Brokers Group.</li>
<li>However, it is lower than the valuation multiples of the fintech comps including Coinbase and Affirm.</li>
</ul>
</li></ul>
</div>


Our base case valuation of Robinhood is implied market cap of US$25.1 billion or US$29.8 per share, which is 25% lower than the mid-point of the IPO price range (US$40). Given the downside risk, we would AVOID this IPO. 
Our valuation of Robinhood is based on an EV/S multiple of 10.7x using our estimated sales of US$2.1 billion in 2022. 
The EV/S multiple of 10.7x is based on the average multiple of the comps in 2022.
The valuation multiple is higher than the those of online brokers Charles Schwab and Interactive Brokers Group.
However, it is lower than the valuation multiples of the fintech comps including Coinbase and Affirm.




Latest News from the World’s Leading Innovators

Granite Bay Capital

An innovation focussed investment company

Granite Bay Capital is an innovation focussed investment company with a deep focus on the companies at the leading edge of innovation across major themes such as AI, ubiquitous computing, sustainability, automation and longevity.

Headline Developments Apple (AAPL) and Goldman Sachs (GS) are reportedly partnering to launch a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service through Apple Pay, according to Bloomberg .  The service will reportedly allow users to spread payments of their purchases across four interest-free payments every two weeks, or across several months with interest.

Headline Developments Apple (AAPL) and Goldman Sachs (GS) are reportedly partnering to launch a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service through Apple Pay, according to Bloomberg .  The service will reportedly allow users to spread payments of their purchases across four interest-free payments every two weeks, or across several months with interest.

Global equities research in innovation & tech

Vishal Hargovan

Equity Bottom-Up

Afterpay results pointed to continued outperformance, making it a leader in the global BNPL sector.Afterpay has delivered a very strong set of results with overall underlying sales (GMV) up 106% to $9.8bn putting it on track for north of $20bn GMV in FY21.Afterpay's deal with Stripe will drive further merchant adoption via a seamless integration process. Stripe has extended this functionality to Squarespace with other eCommerce platforms to follow.

Afterpay results pointed to continued outperformance, making it a leader in the global BNPL sector.Afterpay has delivered a very strong set of results with overall underlying sales (GMV) up 106% to $9.8bn putting it on track for north of $20bn GMV in FY21.Afterpay's deal with Stripe will drive further merchant adoption via a seamless integration process. Stripe has extended this functionality to Squarespace with other eCommerce platforms to follow.

Afterpay 1H21 Earnings Calls Key Takeaways

United States

Affirm Holdings, Inc. is a financial technology company. The Company builds platform for digital and mobile-first commerce. Affirm Holdings offers financial services tool that allows consumers to purchase goods and services. Affirm Holdings serves customers worldwide.

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Affirm Holdings (AFRM US)

ESG and BNPL: Whether It's "Buy Now, Pay Later" Or "Buy, Not Pay Later" Makes All the Difference

This delves into a few specific ESG issues highly material to BNPL companies. It is intended as a complement to Jason Yaps excellent comprehensive...

Kyle Rudden

BNPL Industry Through an ESG Lens

The BNPL industry witnessed unfettered growth and far outpaced relevant regulations and protocols, leading to market concerns. This article...

Jason Yap, CFA

Robinhood IPO Valuation Analysis

Our base case valuation of Robinhood is implied market cap of US$25.1 billion or US$29.8 per share, which is 25% lower than the mid-point of the...

Douglas Kim

Weekly Innovation Review (WIRE) #40

Headline Developments Apple (AAPL) and Goldman Sachs (GS) are reportedly partnering to launch a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service through Apple

Granite Bay Capital

Afterpay 1H21 Earnings Calls Key Takeaways

Afterpay results pointed to continued outperformance, making it a leader in the global BNPL sector. We highlight some of the key areas that make...

Vishal Hargovan

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