Japan’s financial sector is nearing a critical turning point

Financials

Astris Advisory Japan

While BOJ policy normalisation has boosted bank earnings expectations, it has also destabilised the JGB market and raised fears of a sovereign credit downgrade (risks reminiscent of the recent US downgrade by Moody’s). Japanese financials have absorbed nearly 50% of ETF inflows over the past year, but recent outflows suggest sentiment is shifting. Unrealised bond losses and rising fiscal concerns are mounting and the “Japan Premium” for USD funding could return. Neil Newman sees the sector as home to some of the market’s most crowded trades. He highlights Nomura as a short and flags Japan’s three megabanks (MUFG, SMFG, Mizuho Financial Group) as increasingly exposed to reversal risks.

- 13 June, 2025

Kyoto Financial Group (5844)

Financials

Galliano's Financials Research

Kyoto Financial’s stakes in 3 key listed Japanese corporates are valued at over 85% of its market cap with its total equity holdings accounting for 130%+ of its market cap. However, management intends to retain the bulk of these positions, opposing the growing trend for Japanese listed companies to unwind crossholdings. Given this decision, combined with underwhelming fundamentals (e.g. not as well geared into rising domestic interest rates as peers; neither is it well exposed to potentially rising benchmark rates through BoJ deposits; and unattractive valuation), Victor Galliano is negative on the stock, preferring the likes of Resona, Mizuho and SMFG instead.

- 26 July, 2024

Norinchukin Bank is an outlier not a sector indicator

Financials

Galliano's Financials Research

The bank plans to sell JPY10trn of foreign government bonds, crystallising a chunk of the JPY2.19trn of unrealised bond losses, as it also looks to raise JPY1.2trn. In this note, Victor Galliano explores the bigger cap banks’ foreign bond holding and unrealised gains or losses, including those of Japan Post Bank. He believes Norinchukin is a sector outlier rather than big cap bank canary in the coalmine. Victor sticks with buys on Resona, Mizuho, SMFG and Concordia.

- 28 June, 2024

YCC relaxation adds fuel to the Japanese banks re-rating

Financials

Galliano's Financials Research

The latest BoJ adjustment to its yield curve control lifts the hard yield ceiling of 1% on 10-year JGBs, making it “a reference” and allowing yields to exceed it. 10-year JGB yields are close to 1%, with Japanese bond yields steepening further which is positive for Japanese banks, especially those with a high share of floating rate credit exposures. In Aug, Victor Galliano identified Resona, Mizuho and SMFG as his picks for a steepening yield curve. In Oct, he added Hachijuni as the deep value buy. Now, he adds Concordia for its high share of floating rate lending.

- 10 November, 2023