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

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>SAMR’s RMB18.2bn fine for abuse of market dominance could potentially be seen as a watershed marking that the worst of regulatory risk is past</li>
<li>In terms of Alibaba’s relative share performance, since the start of November 2020, it has clearly underperformed Tencent as well as Meituan and Pinduoduo</li>
<li>Relative to these peers, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> trades at a discount on the core valuation metrics; versus its closest competitor <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a> , Alibaba trades at a 28% discount to 2022E PE multiple and at a 21% discount to 2022E EV/EBITDA ratio</li>
<li>Nonetheless, in terms of long term growth potential, Alibaba’s PEG ratio discount of 5% to Tencent is low</li>
<li>In our view, Alibaba’s outlook, especially relating to regulatory risks, remain unclear, especially with regard to the future of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK)</a>, its value and its potential IPO</li>
<li>Risks to our bearish view on Alibaba include a better than expected performance versus its core competitors and a fast resolution to regulatory risks with SAMR</li>
</ul>


SAMR’s RMB18.2bn fine for abuse of market dominance could potentially be seen as a watershed marking that the worst of regulatory risk is past
In terms of Alibaba’s relative share performance, since the start of November 2020, it has clearly underperformed Tencent as well as Meituan and Pinduoduo
Relative to these peers, Alibaba Group (BABA US) trades at a discount on the core valuation metrics; versus its closest competitor Tencent Holdings (700 HK) , Alibaba trades at a 28% discount to 2022E PE multiple and at a 21% discount to 2022E EV/EBITDA ratio
Nonetheless, in terms of long term growth potential, Alibaba’s PEG ratio discount of 5% to Tencent is low
In our view, Alibaba’s outlook, especially relating to regulatory risks, remain unclear, especially with regard to the future of Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK), its value and its potential IPO
Risks to our bearish view on Alibaba include a better than expected performance versus its core competitors and a fast resolution to regulatory risks with SAMR


Alibaba (BABA) Fine – Close, but No Cigar

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

*Focus On Positives: Given the scrutiny that Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] has come under, it comes as no surprise that Tencent wanted to highlight its positive developments such as international expansion and tailwinds in gaming, potential ad load expansion in Video Accounts, and Mini Programs enrichment; and*Elephant In The Room: Over time, it is our belief that Tencent likely will be required to create a financial holding company for all of its banking, insurance, and payment services businesses – and be regulated along the lines of the banking sector. For Tencent, WeChat Pay and the broader lending/deposit taking business are likely to be reined-in. No matter what spin that Tencent wants to place on its other businesses, an FHC represents significant downside risks.

*Focus On Positives: Given the scrutiny that Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] has come under, it comes as no surprise that Tencent wanted to highlight its positive developments such as international expansion and tailwinds in gaming, potential ad load expansion in Video Accounts, and Mini Programs enrichment; and*Elephant In The Room: Over time, it is our belief that Tencent likely will be required to create a financial holding company for all of its banking, insurance, and payment services businesses – and be regulated along the lines of the banking sector. For Tencent, WeChat Pay and the broader lending/deposit taking business are likely to be reined-in. No matter what spin that Tencent wants to place on its other businesses, an FHC represents significant downside risks.

China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

<ul>
<li>HKEx is rising as a global trading venue as secondary-listing Chinese companies are moving to swap their US ADRs to Hong Kong shares. Since <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> pioneered the secondary listing scheme in Hong Kong in 2018, the share fungibility has opened the door for swapping its US ADR to Hong Kong. We estimated that 20% of outstanding shares of Alibaba have been moved to Hong Kong.</li>
<li>Some top institutional investors, such as Temasek, Baillie Gifford, and Matthews Asia, are among the major shareholders that have swapped stakes in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> US ADRs. This has reflected some strategic consideration to  avoid US sanction and delisting of Chinese tech companies. We expect this trend will likely accelerate in the future. For current 13 dual-listing Chinese ADRs, we expect 30% of total trading volume will be shifted to Hong Kong from US in next 2 years. This is a significant jump from around 18% of trading volume at Hong Kong now. Dual-listing Chinese ADRs at Hong Kong will likely accelerate as well. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a>  serves as the only offshore gateway to China capital market. HKEx has consistently enjoyed the superior margin and profitability, given that it can charge higher trading fee rates than other bourses. We forecast Securities ADT of HK$240bn in FY 21 (Hong Kong and Stock Connect Northbound). Given the acceleration of US ADRs conversion, there is risk to the upside of the Securities ADT forecast. We continue to favor <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> and reiterate HKEx TP HKD 550. </li>
</ul>


HKEx is rising as a global trading venue as secondary-listing Chinese companies are moving to swap their US ADRs to Hong Kong shares. Since Alibaba Group (BABA US) pioneered the secondary listing scheme in Hong Kong in 2018, the share fungibility has opened the door for swapping its US ADR to Hong Kong. We estimated that 20% of outstanding shares of Alibaba have been moved to Hong Kong.
Some top institutional investors, such as Temasek, Baillie Gifford, and Matthews Asia, are among the major shareholders that have swapped stakes in Alibaba Group (BABA US) US ADRs. This has reflected some strategic consideration to  avoid US sanction and delisting of Chinese tech companies. We expect this trend will likely accelerate in the future. For current 13 dual-listing Chinese ADRs, we expect 30% of total trading volume will be shifted to Hong Kong from US in next 2 years. This is a significant jump from around 18% of trading volume at Hong Kong now. Dual-listing Chinese ADRs at Hong Kong will likely accelerate as well. 

HKEX (388 HK)  serves as the only offshore gateway to China capital market. HKEx has consistently enjoyed the superior margin and profitability, given that it can charge higher trading fee rates than other bourses. We forecast Securities ADT of HK$240bn in FY 21 (Hong Kong and Stock Connect Northbound). Given the acceleration of US ADRs conversion, there is risk to the upside of the Securities ADT forecast. We continue to favor HKEX (388 HK) and reiterate HKEx TP HKD 550. 


Hong Kong Market: Conversion of US ADRs Will Boost HKEx as Global Trading Venue

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a> has come under intense scrutiny from Chinese regulators since Jack Ma’s public criticism of China’s regulatory systems. The latest episode of Jack Ma Vs Xi &amp; The Communist Party ended yesterday with The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) imposing a fine of RMB 18.2bn for violating anti-monopoly rules.

Alibaba Group (9988 HK) has come under intense scrutiny from Chinese regulators since Jack Ma’s public criticism of China’s regulatory systems. The latest episode of Jack Ma Vs Xi &amp; The Communist Party ended yesterday with The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) imposing a fine of RMB 18.2bn for violating anti-monopoly rules.

Alibaba Fined RMB 18.2bn: May Not Be The Season Finale of Ma Vs Xi

Research on Tech Companies

Evelyn Zhang

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The recent fall in price of many so called “China concept shares” of US listed Chinese companies, has largely been triggered by the passing of the "Holding Foreign Company Accountability Act" (HFCAA).A flock of US listed Chinese companies have since decided to relist in HKSE due to a few reasons:<ol>
<li>The HFCAA causing conflicting compliance requirements with Chinese regulations.</li>
<li>Fear among investors of forced delisting in the US.</li>
<li>HKEX deregulation allowing more Chinese companies to be listed.</li>
<li>The valuation in HK is in sync with the U.S. stock market.</li>
<li>HK attracting more Chinese funds to operate in HKEX.</li>
</ol>

The recent fall in price of many so called “China concept shares” of US listed Chinese companies, has largely been triggered by the passing of the "Holding Foreign Company Accountability Act" (HFCAA).A flock of US listed Chinese companies have since decided to relist in HKSE due to a few reasons:
The HFCAA causing conflicting compliance requirements with Chinese regulations.
Fear among investors of forced delisting in the US.
HKEX deregulation allowing more Chinese companies to be listed.
The valuation in HK is in sync with the U.S. stock market.
HK attracting more Chinese funds to operate in HKEX.


Exit the Dragon – the Mass Exodus of US Listed Chinese Companies

China

Alibaba Group Holding Limited provides online sales services. The Company provides internet infrastructure, electronic commerce, online financial, and internet content services through its subsidiaries. Alibaba Group Holding offers its products and services worldwide.

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Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK)

Alibaba (BABA) Fine – Close, but No Cigar

SAMR's fine on Alibaba is a positive step in the process of resolving regulatory risk, but we are not there yet, in our view; unresolved issues...

Victor Galliano

Tencent Holdings – What Wasn’t Said

TENCENT HOLDINGS: Tencent receives a premium valuation which will be eroded over time, as it likely will be required to create an FHC. No matter...

Thomas J. Monaco

Hong Kong Market: Conversion of US ADRs Will Boost HKEx as Global Trading Venue

We expect 30% of total dual-list China ADR trading volume will be shifted to Hong Kong from US in next 2 years, a significant jump from current...

Roger Xie

Alibaba Fined RMB 18.2bn: May Not Be The Season Finale of Ma Vs Xi

Alibaba has come under intense scrutiny from Chinese regulators since Jack Ma’s public criticism of China’s regulatory systems. The latest episode...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Exit the Dragon – the Mass Exodus of US Listed Chinese Companies

Is US-China financial decoupling affecting the US stock market? What's the future of US listed Chinese companies l? How can investors in China...

Evelyn Zhang

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