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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Among bigger cap GEM banks, we pick four longs and one short as our conviction calls for 2024</li>
<li>Our core buys are Bank Mandiri from Indonesia, KB Financial from South Korea, China Merchants Bank and Banco do Brasil</li>
<li>Our key sell is Kotak Mahindra Bank from India which is richly valued, exposed to low prospective earnings growth and has low credit quality coverage</li>
</ul>


Among bigger cap GEM banks, we pick four longs and one short as our conviction calls for 2024
Our core buys are Bank Mandiri from Indonesia, KB Financial from South Korea, China Merchants Bank and Banco do Brasil
Our key sell is Kotak Mahindra Bank from India which is richly valued, exposed to low prospective earnings growth and has low credit quality coverage


Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In our latest South Korean banks screener; we switch from Hana Financial to KB Financial as our preferred Korean banks pick</li>
<li>NPLs and precautionary quality credits continue on a rising trend, whilst KB has controlled its NPL ratio and precautionary ratio better than most to 3Q23</li>
<li>KB has a low PBV ratio relative to its ROE, rising post-provision returns, a healthy CET1 ratio and a healthy LDR; Kakaobank is one for the watchlist</li>
</ul>


In our latest South Korean banks screener; we switch from Hana Financial to KB Financial as our preferred Korean banks pick
NPLs and precautionary quality credits continue on a rising trend, whilst KB has controlled its NPL ratio and precautionary ratio better than most to 3Q23
KB has a low PBV ratio relative to its ROE, rising post-provision returns, a healthy CET1 ratio and a healthy LDR; Kakaobank is one for the watchlist


S Korean Banks Screen; KB Financial (105560 KS) Most Compelling on Valuations, Return Trends & PEG

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Given Korea's blanket ban on short-selling, we should concentrate on the likelihood of these ADRs being significantly discounted compared to their underlying shares.</li>
<li>It should persist for an extended period, highlighting the importance of continuously monitoring ADR spreads over the next 2-3 months to seize the opportune entry timing.</li>
<li>Since all these carry single-stock futures, a flexible setup targeting this spread can be designed, ideally incorporating currency hedges.</li>
</ul>


Given Korea's blanket ban on short-selling, we should concentrate on the likelihood of these ADRs being significantly discounted compared to their underlying shares.
It should persist for an extended period, highlighting the importance of continuously monitoring ADR spreads over the next 2-3 months to seize the opportune entry timing.
Since all these carry single-stock futures, a flexible setup targeting this spread can be designed, ideally incorporating currency hedges.


Trading Opportunities Targeting Potential ADR Discount Increases from Korea's Short-Selling Ban

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp (035720 KS) losing its controlling shareholding of KakaoBank (323410 KS).</li>
<li>The FSS Chairman Lee Bok-Hyun emphasized that the FSS may punish Kakao Corp for a potential stock manipulation of S.M.Entertainment amid the M&amp;A tender offer process earlier this year.</li>
<li>At this point, the higher probability event appears to be a combination of fine and Kakao Corp selling at least 10% of its stake in Kakao Bank to another company.</li>
</ul>


In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp (035720 KS) losing its controlling shareholding of KakaoBank (323410 KS).
The FSS Chairman Lee Bok-Hyun emphasized that the FSS may punish Kakao Corp for a potential stock manipulation of S.M.Entertainment amid the M&amp;A tender offer process earlier this year.
At this point, the higher probability event appears to be a combination of fine and Kakao Corp selling at least 10% of its stake in Kakao Bank to another company.


Increasing Probability of Kakao Corp Losing Its Controlling Shareholding of Kakao Bank

<ul>
<li>While Ecopro Co's stock has undergone significant corrections since August, KB Financial has sustained an upward trajectory, leading to a significant reversal in float-adjusted market cap.</li>
<li>The current disparity between the two exceeds ₩2T, making it challenging to anticipate another reversal until the screening period.</li>
<li>Ecopro Co and LG Energy Solution also warrant attention due to the narrow gap in their float-adjusted market capitalization. We should monitor any changes in their market capitalization moving forward.</li>
</ul>


While Ecopro Co's stock has undergone significant corrections since August, KB Financial has sustained an upward trajectory, leading to a significant reversal in float-adjusted market cap.
The current disparity between the two exceeds ₩2T, making it challenging to anticipate another reversal until the screening period.
Ecopro Co and LG Energy Solution also warrant attention due to the narrow gap in their float-adjusted market capitalization. We should monitor any changes in their market capitalization moving forward.


A Shift in TIGER Top 10 ETF December Rebalancing: KB Financial Newly In But Not Ecopro Co

South Korea

KB Financial Group Inc. (the "Company"), in accordance with Financial Holding Companies Act, was established on September 29, 2008, through stock transfer with the former shareholders of its subsidiaries including Kookmin Bank in order to provide management services and financing to associated companies. The headquarters are located at Seoul, Korea

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KB Financial ADR (KB US)

GEM Banks; 2024 Conviction Calls

2024 GEM Bank picks: Longs in improving return Bank Mandiri, and value plays KB Financial, China Merchants Bank, and Banco do Brasil, with a short...

Victor Galliano

S Korean Banks Screen; KB Financial (105560 KS) Most Compelling on Valuations, Return Trends & PEG

KB Financial is our preferred pick for S Korean banks due to good control of NPL & precautionary ratios, low PBV ratio, rising returns, and strong...

Victor Galliano

Trading Opportunities Targeting Potential ADR Discount Increases from Korea's Short-Selling Ban

This post explores trading opportunities targeting potential ADR discount increases resulting from Korea's blanket ban on short selling.

Sanghyun Park

Increasing Probability of Kakao Corp Losing Its Controlling Shareholding of Kakao Bank

In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp losing its controlling shareholding of Kakao Bank. Kakao Corp could be forced...

Douglas Kim

A Shift in TIGER Top 10 ETF December Rebalancing: KB Financial Newly In But Not Ecopro Co

This article examines a significant change observed in the TIGER Top 10 ETF December rebalancing, with KB Financial replacing Celltrion, as opposed...

Sanghyun Park

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

GEM Banks; 2024 Conviction Calls

2024 ​GEM Bank picks: Longs in improving return Bank Mandiri, and value plays KB Financial, China Merchants Bank, and Banco do Brasil, with a short...

Victor Galliano

S Korean Banks Screen; KB Financial (105560 KS) Most Compelling on Valuations, Return Trends & PEG

​KB Financial is our preferred pick for S Korean banks due to good control of NPL & precautionary ratios, low PBV ratio, rising returns, and strong...

Victor Galliano

Trading Opportunities Targeting Potential ADR Discount Increases from Korea's Short-Selling Ban

This post explores trading opportunities targeting potential ADR discount increases resulting from Korea's blanket ban on short selling.

Sanghyun Park

Increasing Probability of Kakao Corp Losing Its Controlling Shareholding of Kakao Bank

In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp losing its controlling shareholding of Kakao Bank. Kakao Corp could be forced...

Douglas Kim

A Shift in TIGER Top 10 ETF December Rebalancing: KB Financial Newly In But Not Ecopro Co

This article examines a significant change observed in the TIGER Top 10 ETF December rebalancing, with KB Financial replacing Celltrion, as opposed...

Sanghyun Park

2024 GEM Bank picks: Longs in improving return Bank Mandiri, and value plays KB Financial, China Merchants Bank, and Banco do Brasil, with a short...

KB Financial is our preferred pick for S Korean banks due to good control of NPL & precautionary ratios, low PBV ratio, rising returns, and strong...