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>We think of value based on traditional valuation metrics, such as PE multiples and PBV ratios, and supplement these by metrics like PE to growth ratios to identify the more attractive names amongst growth – including FinTech – stocks</li>
<li>In Brazil, we continue to like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-do-brasil-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24564:1" rel="noopener">Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ)</a>  and we add <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-bradesco-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24569:1" rel="noopener">Banco Bradesco Sa (BBDC4 BZ)</a> to the attractive value category</li>
<li>We turn cautious on Brazilian challenger <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-inter-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28162:1" rel="noopener">Banco Inter SA (BIDI11 BZ)</a>, based on valuation; it trades on a consensus 2022E PBV ratio of 17.8x and even compared to Nubank’s estimated valuation, and those of other digital banks, Inter seems expensive</li>
<li>In Mexico, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grupo-financiero-banorte-o" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24780:1" rel="noopener">Grupo Financiero Banorte-O (GFNORTEO MF)</a> is much more of a positive consensus recommendation, yet we still believe that the stock has further to run</li>
<li>There is heightened political risk in Peru; <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/credicorp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25963:1" rel="noopener">Credicorp Ltd (BAP US)</a>  has de-rated and is a stock to watch</li>
<li>Among the LatAm payments companies, we are positive on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pagseguro-digital-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27939:1" rel="noopener">Pagseguro Digital Ltd (PAGS US)</a> </li>
<li>Despite its premium growth in AUM, we are cautious on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xp-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28619:1" rel="noopener">XP Inc (XP US)</a>, due to eroding take rate and rising IFA costs</li>
<li>In exchanges, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/b3-sa-brasil-bolsa-balcao" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24580:1" rel="noopener">B3 Sa - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (B3SA3 BZ)</a>’s valuations have descended from the stratosphere but we believe that this stock could have further downside risk</li>
<li>Risks to our positive view on Banco do Brasil and Bradesco include higher than expected NPLs and lower than expected credit spreads, as well as soft fee growth; similar risks apply to Banorte, BanBajio and in the case of Credicorp we also add political risk; Banco Inter’s upside risks include better than expected opex control especially on new customer acquisition driving better than expected returns; XP upside risks include higher than expected take rate and lower than expected opex, and B3 could deliver stronger than expected revenue growth in FICC and derivatives especially</li>
</ul>


We think of value based on traditional valuation metrics, such as PE multiples and PBV ratios, and supplement these by metrics like PE to growth ratios to identify the more attractive names amongst growth – including FinTech – stocks
In Brazil, we continue to like Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ)  and we add Banco Bradesco Sa (BBDC4 BZ) to the attractive value category
We turn cautious on Brazilian challenger Banco Inter SA (BIDI11 BZ), based on valuation; it trades on a consensus 2022E PBV ratio of 17.8x and even compared to Nubank’s estimated valuation, and those of other digital banks, Inter seems expensive
In Mexico, Grupo Financiero Banorte-O (GFNORTEO MF) is much more of a positive consensus recommendation, yet we still believe that the stock has further to run
There is heightened political risk in Peru; Credicorp Ltd (BAP US)  has de-rated and is a stock to watch
Among the LatAm payments companies, we are positive on Pagseguro Digital Ltd (PAGS US) 
Despite its premium growth in AUM, we are cautious on XP Inc (XP US), due to eroding take rate and rising IFA costs
In exchanges, B3 Sa - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (B3SA3 BZ)’s valuations have descended from the stratosphere but we believe that this stock could have further downside risk
Risks to our positive view on Banco do Brasil and Bradesco include higher than expected NPLs and lower than expected credit spreads, as well as soft fee growth; similar risks apply to Banorte, BanBajio and in the case of Credicorp we also add political risk; Banco Inter’s upside risks include better than expected opex control especially on new customer acquisition driving better than expected returns; XP upside risks include higher than expected take rate and lower than expected opex, and B3 could deliver stronger than expected revenue growth in FICC and derivatives especially


LatAm Financials Review: Focus on the Value Opportunities

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> shares have continued to re-rate, supported by positive 3Q20 results</li>
<li>E-commerce and payments growth rates are accelerating, as MELI is a key LatAm beneficiary of the pandemic shift to e-commerce and digital payments</li>
<li>Consensus estimate revisions are positive, as shown in the chart, and this has powered share price momentum</li>
<li>On valuations, however, we believe that these are stretched; the 2021 revenue multiple is double that of <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> </li>
<li>Even on our generous assumptions for a simple SOTP valuation, MELI valuations look stretched</li>
<li>In the light of the positive vaccine news, we believe that tech pandemic beneficiaries, including MELI, are exposed to sentiment-driven investor rotation out of high valuation tech names and into value stocks</li>
<li>Risks to our cautious view on MELI include a continued fast pace of e-commerce and digital payments activity in LatAm driving revenue, EBITDA and net profit higher</li>
</ul>



MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) shares have continued to re-rate, supported by positive 3Q20 results
E-commerce and payments growth rates are accelerating, as MELI is a key LatAm beneficiary of the pandemic shift to e-commerce and digital payments
Consensus estimate revisions are positive, as shown in the chart, and this has powered share price momentum
On valuations, however, we believe that these are stretched; the 2021 revenue multiple is double that of Alibaba Group (BABA US) 
Even on our generous assumptions for a simple SOTP valuation, MELI valuations look stretched
In the light of the positive vaccine news, we believe that tech pandemic beneficiaries, including MELI, are exposed to sentiment-driven investor rotation out of high valuation tech names and into value stocks
Risks to our cautious view on MELI include a continued fast pace of e-commerce and digital payments activity in LatAm driving revenue, EBITDA and net profit higher


Mercado Libre (MELI US): Share Momentum Driven by Fundamentals, but Exposed to Stretched Valuations

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-financial-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Group (6688 HK)</a> has priced above the initial market capitalisation range of USD200 to USD300bn, at USD317bn including its over-allotment option of shares</li>
<li>Ant’s IPO valuation reflects the assumptions in our ambitious scenario SOTP valuation</li>
<li>Based on earnings and EBITDA multiples, Ant Group looks attractive relative to payments companies and fast growth investment and wealth managers</li>
<li>Ant is at a slight discount to the China MegaTech comparables, and we believe that it warrants a premium valuation to its China peers</li>
<li>Ant’s premium growth potential in digital finance, leveraging off its leading digital payments footprint, indicates further upside potential to the shares post IPO, in our view</li>
<li>Risks to our positive view on Ant Group include increased regulatory restrictions in China, heightened geopolitical tensions impacting demand for the shares at IPO and weaker than expected GDP growth limiting growth potential, especially in China</li>
</ul>



Ant Group (6688 HK) has priced above the initial market capitalisation range of USD200 to USD300bn, at USD317bn including its over-allotment option of shares
Ant’s IPO valuation reflects the assumptions in our ambitious scenario SOTP valuation
Based on earnings and EBITDA multiples, Ant Group looks attractive relative to payments companies and fast growth investment and wealth managers
Ant is at a slight discount to the China MegaTech comparables, and we believe that it warrants a premium valuation to its China peers
Ant’s premium growth potential in digital finance, leveraging off its leading digital payments footprint, indicates further upside potential to the shares post IPO, in our view
Risks to our positive view on Ant Group include increased regulatory restrictions in China, heightened geopolitical tensions impacting demand for the shares at IPO and weaker than expected GDP growth limiting growth potential, especially in China


Ant Group (6688 HK): IPO Pricing Warrants a Re-Rating

<ul>
<li>A week after the announcement that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/facebook-inc-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:665:1" rel="noopener">Facebook Inc A (FB US)</a> owned WhatsApp launched its payments app in Brazil, the Brazil Central Bank (BCB) has suspended its operation</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cielo-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24750:1" rel="noopener">Cielo SA (CIEL3 BZ)</a> is adversely impacted as the app's first and so far sole payments processor in Brazil; Mastercard and Visa have also been ordered by BCB to suspend domestic WhatsApp app payments</li>
<li>BCB has stated that its action is to ensure a proper functioning and competitive market in payments going forward; the anti-trust body CADE sees the WhatsApp-Cielo tie up as a "joint venture" which needs to be reviewed</li>
<li>Last week it seemed that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cielo-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24750:1" rel="noopener">Cielo SA (CIEL3 BZ)</a> had an edge versus the competition in the crowded payments space with the WhatsApp deal; the BCB's suspension and review leaves <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cielo-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24750:1" rel="noopener">Cielo SA (CIEL3 BZ)</a> shares exposed to the downside, but should act as some short term support for other Brazilian acquirers and sub-acquirers</li>
<li>Risks to our negative view on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cielo-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24750:1" rel="noopener">Cielo SA (CIEL3 BZ)</a> include a fast resolution and a reversal of the suspension, and better than expected merchant acquiring market share for Cielo</li>
</ul>


A week after the announcement that Facebook Inc A (FB US) owned WhatsApp launched its payments app in Brazil, the Brazil Central Bank (BCB) has suspended its operation

Cielo SA (CIEL3 BZ) is adversely impacted as the app's first and so far sole payments processor in Brazil; Mastercard and Visa have also been ordered by BCB to suspend domestic WhatsApp app payments
BCB has stated that its action is to ensure a proper functioning and competitive market in payments going forward; the anti-trust body CADE sees the WhatsApp-Cielo tie up as a "joint venture" which needs to be reviewed
Last week it seemed that Cielo SA (CIEL3 BZ) had an edge versus the competition in the crowded payments space with the WhatsApp deal; the BCB's suspension and review leaves Cielo SA (CIEL3 BZ) shares exposed to the downside, but should act as some short term support for other Brazilian acquirers and sub-acquirers
Risks to our negative view on Cielo SA (CIEL3 BZ) include a fast resolution and a reversal of the suspension, and better than expected merchant acquiring market share for Cielo


Cielo (CIEL3 BZ) & Facebook (FB US), Did They Jump the Gun?: WhatsApp Payments Suspended in Brazil

<ul>
<li>The secular drive to digital payments is a boon for large Fintechs, and is reflected in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/paypal-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4747:1" rel="noopener">Paypal Holdings (PYPL US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> share re-ratings</li>
<li>PayPal’s US and European operations are set to retain their edge, in our view, along with fast growth in its US P2P payments app Venmo</li>
<li>Aside from e-commerce, MercadoLibre’s fintech arm MercadoPago is another growth engine for this LatAm e-commerce entity</li>
<li>PYPL and MELI’s re-ratings to continue to be driven by the positive investor momentum around digital and e-commerce, and their strong positioning to gain further share; based on valuations, we prefer PYPL to MELI, although with the latter positive momentum is also in the driving seat, at least for now</li>
<li>One Brazil fintech that should play catch-up on re-rating is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pagseguro-digital-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27939:1" rel="noopener">Pagseguro Digital Ltd (PAGS US)</a>; PAGS is well positioned to continue to grow and capture digital banking as well as merchant services and e-payments share in Brazil</li>
<li>Risks to our view include slower than expected growth in payments at PYPL along with higher than expected credit delinquencies, increased competition for PAGS holding back growth and a lag in recovery of PAGS’s hospitality-focused clients</li>
</ul>


The secular drive to digital payments is a boon for large Fintechs, and is reflected in the Paypal Holdings (PYPL US) and MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) share re-ratings
PayPal’s US and European operations are set to retain their edge, in our view, along with fast growth in its US P2P payments app Venmo
Aside from e-commerce, MercadoLibre’s fintech arm MercadoPago is another growth engine for this LatAm e-commerce entity
PYPL and MELI’s re-ratings to continue to be driven by the positive investor momentum around digital and e-commerce, and their strong positioning to gain further share; based on valuations, we prefer PYPL to MELI, although with the latter positive momentum is also in the driving seat, at least for now
One Brazil fintech that should play catch-up on re-rating is Pagseguro Digital Ltd (PAGS US); PAGS is well positioned to continue to grow and capture digital banking as well as merchant services and e-payments share in Brazil
Risks to our view include slower than expected growth in payments at PYPL along with higher than expected credit delinquencies, increased competition for PAGS holding back growth and a lag in recovery of PAGS’s hospitality-focused clients


Payments: Momentum Driving MercadoLibre Now; PayPal & PagSeguro Attractive on Growth & Fundamentals

Brazil

PagSeguro Digital Ltd. provides financial technology services. The Company offers multiple digital payment solutions, in-person payments via point of sales devices, and prepaid cards services. Pagseguro Digital serves clients in Brazil and the United States.

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Pagseguro Digital Ltd (PAGS US)

LatAm Financials Review: Focus on the Value Opportunities

We identify the most attractive LatAm financials on value and GARP metrics; Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Banorte, BanBajio, PagSeguro; we are...

Victor Galliano

Ant Group (6688 HK): IPO Pricing Warrants a Re-Rating

Ant Group's share price at IPO is above the original expected range; still, we expect solid share re-rating potential given its growth prospects...

Victor Galliano

Cielo (CIEL3 BZ) & Facebook (FB US), Did They Jump the Gun?: WhatsApp Payments Suspended in Brazil

A week after the announcement that Facebook Inc A (FB US) owned WhatsApp launched its payments app in Brazil, the Brazil Central Bank (BCB) has...

Victor Galliano

Payments: Momentum Driving MercadoLibre Now; PayPal & PagSeguro Attractive on Growth & Fundamentals

The secular drive to digital payments is a boon for large Fintechs, and is reflected in the Paypal Holdings (PYPL US) and MercadoLibre Inc (MELI...

Victor Galliano

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

LatAm Financials Review: Focus on the Value Opportunities

We identify the most attractive LatAm financials on value and GARP metrics; Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Banorte, BanBajio, PagSeguro; we are...

Victor Galliano

Mercado Libre (MELI US): Share Momentum Driven by Fundamentals, but Exposed to Stretched Valuations

Mercado Libre is a beneficiary of the pandemic-driven shift to e-commerce and e-payments, but its valuation is stretched, EPS revisions are fading...

Victor Galliano

Ant Group (6688 HK): IPO Pricing Warrants a Re-Rating

Ant Group's share price at IPO is above the original expected range; still, we expect solid share re-rating potential given its growth prospects...

Victor Galliano

Cielo (CIEL3 BZ) & Facebook (FB US), Did They Jump the Gun?: WhatsApp Payments Suspended in Brazil

A week after the announcement that Facebook Inc A (FB US) owned WhatsApp launched its payments app in Brazil, the Brazil Central Bank (BCB) has...

Victor Galliano

Payments: Momentum Driving MercadoLibre Now; PayPal & PagSeguro Attractive on Growth & Fundamentals

The secular drive to digital payments is a boon for large Fintechs, and is reflected in the Paypal Holdings (PYPL US) and MercadoLibre Inc (MELI...

Victor Galliano