Greek banks continued to show progress in optimizing NPEs, capital formation and capital buffers in the first quarter of 2022, delivering better than expected results, according to a report from Goldman Sachs, which also predicted that the strong trends will continue in Q2 2022.
The authors of the report point out that the degree of macroeconomic uncertainty has increased over the past three months: Greek inflation accelerated to 12% in June 2022 while mean GDP projections fell to 3%.
The 10-year Greek government bond yield reacted to these macroeconomic developments, rising to around 3.5%-4% in July 22, while in 2021 it averaged around 1%.
The impact
The US bank also says that its commodity analysts recently revised their natural gas price forecasts (TTF) to reflect a weighted scenario regarding Nord Stream 1 flows after the completion of maintenance projects – specifically, they raised forecasts for Q1 2022/Q4 2022/Q1 2023/Summer 2023 to 153/121/77/138 euros/MWh respectively from 104/105/76/75 euros previously.
Goldman Sachs in its report analyzes the impact of accelerating inflation, an aggressive interest rate environment and increases in natural gas prices on Greek banks. While pointing to strong bank-specific trends in Greece, increased macroeconomic uncertainty translates into more conservative cost of equity (COE) assumptions (mainly resulting from a 300bp discount on Greek 10-year bond yields to 2021) and to lower estimates (on average lowering EPS estimates by 9% in 2023-24, reflecting the effects of higher inflation and commodity prices).
Investment recommendations and target – prices
National Bank
Goldman Sachs restores a buy recommendation on the stock with a 12-month price target of €3.95 (up 33% from the July 13 close). Goldman lauds the progress made by National’s management in consolidating NPEs, creating reserve provisions, recovering ROTE and restoring capital buffers over the past three years. “We see the National Bank as relatively well positioned in the current uncertain macroeconomic environment, thanks to a ‘defensive’ combination of a relatively high CET1 ratio and a higher NPE coverage ratio,” the bank noted.
Eurobank
The bank reset the recommendation to neutral from buy, adding that it still expects Eurobank to have the highest ROTE within the coverage of Greek banks and to be one of the first Greek banks to reach average European levels in CET1/NPE ratios. In their analysis, Eurobank is relatively well positioned in the current uncertain macroeconomic environment, thanks to the combination of a relatively high CET1 ratio, an NPE coverage ratio of 82 and strong organic capital generation.
While they acknowledge Eurobank’s strong progress on key operational metrics, they note that Eurobank already trades at the highest valuation multiples within its coverage of Greek banks. The revised 12-month ROTE/COE price target is €0.92 (from €1.50).
Alpha
Goldman Sachs maintains its buy recommendation. According to the analysts, Alpha offers the best risk-reward profile in the coverage of Greek banks. The revised share price target based on ROTE/COE is €1.07 (from €1.74).
Piraeus Bank
Goldman Sachs is maintaining the consistency at neutral. It positively assesses the progress made by the Piraeus bank’s management in reducing the NPE balance, creating reserve provisions, recovering ROTE and restoring capital buffers. The new target price is at 0.84 euros, from 1.80 euros.
Latest News
Vardis Vardinogiannis: ‘On a Ship’s Bridge You Always Look Forward’
Ten milestones in the half century since the creation of Motor Oil Group, as described by Vardis Vardinogiannis, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91
DBRS Says Greek Banks ‘Shielded’ from ECB Rate Cuts
The agency explains that fund disbursements through the banking sector will help offset pressures anticipated on interest margins beginning in 2025, due to expected rate cuts by the European Central Bank (ECB).
Meta Cuts Facebook and Instagram Subscription Fees by 40%
The social media giant also revealed that it will continue to offer free access to Facebook and Instagram for EU users, provided they agree to see ads based on a limited set of user data.
Skyrocketing Use of Debit, Credit Cards
The total value of the transactions conducted with debit and credit cards in the country in the first half of 2024 rose 2% on the corresponding period of 2023
JP Morgan Revised Greece Outlook to ‘Overweight’
The investment bank notes that Greece is showing the strongest GDP growth in the Eurozone. Additionally, efforts to clear up bank balance sheets are anticipated to yield increased capital returns.
Vardis I. Vardinogiannis, Greek Tycoon and Shipping Magnate, Dies at 91
In 1990, Vardinogiannis was targeted in an attack which involved three rockets fired at his vehicle by the terrorist organization 17 November.
Kudos for Greek Sheep’s Milk Cheeses
Graviera is the Greek version of the Swiss gruyère, and is generally considered the second most popular cheese made in the country after feta
EIB Survey: Greeks Rank Climate Change as Top Concern After Cost of Living
Specifically, 98% of the Greeks surveyed stated that the country must to adapt to climate change, with 60% saying that priority should be given to these adjustment measures
Trump Tells Putin not to Escalate Ukraine War during Phone Convo
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, is preparing to lobby Trump against abandoning U.S. support for Kyiv
Former Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris Dies at 82
Boutaris entered politics in 2010, serving as the 60th mayor of Thessaloniki for two consecutive terms until 2019, becoming a transformative figure with his progressive policies.