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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The biggest drawback of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)</a>’s share price momentum over the last few years was its Mobile business’ losses.</li>
<li>However, based on Rakuten’s projections, the Mobile business could get close to breaking even by Q4 2023.</li>
<li>With narrowing Mobile losses and outperforming E-commerce and Fintech, we think it is unreasonable for Rakuten to trade at a 40% discount to the bottom-end of the long-term trend channel.</li>
</ul>


The biggest drawback of Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)’s share price momentum over the last few years was its Mobile business’ losses.
However, based on Rakuten’s projections, the Mobile business could get close to breaking even by Q4 2023.
With narrowing Mobile losses and outperforming E-commerce and Fintech, we think it is unreasonable for Rakuten to trade at a 40% discount to the bottom-end of the long-term trend channel.


Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

<ul>
<li>Mobile losses narrowed sequentially as expected but not by much as the company missed consensus and Redex expectations for profitability</li>
<li>Rakuten also reported a 220K net subscriber loss in the quarter as point-chasing free users churned off when zero-yen tiers were cancelled but worringly, network coverage/capacity was also a factor</li>
<li>If there is a silver lining, fintech businesses Rakuten Bank and Securities posted solid results and remain on pace to IPO but negative mobile sentiment is unlikely to change</li>
</ul>


Mobile losses narrowed sequentially as expected but not by much as the company missed consensus and Redex expectations for profitability
Rakuten also reported a 220K net subscriber loss in the quarter as point-chasing free users churned off when zero-yen tiers were cancelled but worringly, network coverage/capacity was also a factor
If there is a silver lining, fintech businesses Rakuten Bank and Securities posted solid results and remain on pace to IPO but negative mobile sentiment is unlikely to change


Rakuten (Neutral) - Q2 22 Results Reaction: Mobile Losses Narrow but Little Good News Beyond That

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

<ul>
<li>Zozo recorded its highest profit ever last year, countering the sceptics once again. </li>
<li>The company has shrugged off the uncertainties surrounding the departure of its founder and, while sticking to its core values, is looking for new growth beyond fashion e-commerce.</li>
<li>While there are some headwinds, Zozo has a solid set of strategies in place to offset these and find new growth streams.</li>
</ul>


Zozo recorded its highest profit ever last year, countering the sceptics once again. 
The company has shrugged off the uncertainties surrounding the departure of its founder and, while sticking to its core values, is looking for new growth beyond fashion e-commerce.
While there are some headwinds, Zozo has a solid set of strategies in place to offset these and find new growth streams.


Zozo: Social Fashion Commerce, Omnichannel and New Ventures

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>FFW changes and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercari-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27149:1" rel="noopener">Mercari Inc (4385 JP)</a>'s inclusion in the TOPIX will lead to a one-way turnover of 0.55% and one-way trade of JPY 443bn (US$3.23bn) at the close today.</li>
<li>There is net buying in Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Communication Services stocks, while there will be net selling in Consumer Staples and Health Care stocks.</li>
<li>The upweights have outperformed the downweights since announcement of the changes and there has not been a lot of excess volume traded in the last couple of weeks.</li>
</ul>


FFW changes and Mercari Inc (4385 JP)'s inclusion in the TOPIX will lead to a one-way turnover of 0.55% and one-way trade of JPY 443bn (US$3.23bn) at the close today.
There is net buying in Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Communication Services stocks, while there will be net selling in Consumer Staples and Health Care stocks.
The upweights have outperformed the downweights since announcement of the changes and there has not been a lot of excess volume traded in the last couple of weeks.


TOPIX July Rebalance: Flows at the Close Today

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>MIC data provides further support that regulatory pressure was successful in driving down industry prices with 40mn users on discount plans that are among the cheapest globally</li>
<li>That has led to ¥230-250bn in service revenue erosion for both FY21 and FY22e but evidence of a solid win for regulators reassures that further action isn't needed</li>
<li>Handset pricing is on the rise as 5G proliferates, which is good news for incumbents that can lock users in through instalment payment plans</li>
</ul>


MIC data provides further support that regulatory pressure was successful in driving down industry prices with 40mn users on discount plans that are among the cheapest globally
That has led to ¥230-250bn in service revenue erosion for both FY21 and FY22e but evidence of a solid win for regulators reassures that further action isn't needed
Handset pricing is on the rise as 5G proliferates, which is good news for incumbents that can lock users in through instalment payment plans


Japan Telecoms - Update from Regulators’ Competition Working Group

Japan

Rakuten Group, Inc. provides Internet services. The Company offers Internet finance services which including "Rakuten Card" and "Rakuten Bank". Rakuten Group also provides digital content services including electronic book services.

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Rakuten (4755 JP)

Rakuten: Turning a Corner

With narrowing Mobile losses and outperforming E-commerce and Fintech, we think it is unreasonable for Rakuten to trade at a 40% discount to the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Rakuten (Neutral) - Q2 22 Results Reaction: Mobile Losses Narrow but Little Good News Beyond That

Operating losses in mobile improved sequentially as promised but a net loss in subscribers and likely delays to targets for sustainable break-even...

Kirk Boodry

TOPIX July Rebalance: Flows at the Close Today

The TOPIX July rebalance will lead to a turnover of 0.55% and trade of JPY 443bn at the close today. The top 25 upweights have outperformed the top...

Brian Freitas

Japan Telecoms - Update from Regulators’ Competition Working Group

Further evidence that price reductions have met expectations as regulator working group prepares its final report on the competition. NTT remains...

Kirk Boodry

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Rakuten: Turning a Corner

With narrowing Mobile losses and outperforming E-commerce and Fintech, we think it is unreasonable for Rakuten to trade at a 40% discount to the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Rakuten (Neutral) - Q2 22 Results Reaction: Mobile Losses Narrow but Little Good News Beyond That

Operating losses in mobile improved sequentially as promised but a net loss in subscribers and likely delays to targets for sustainable break-even...

Kirk Boodry

Zozo: Social Fashion Commerce, Omnichannel and New Ventures

Zozo continues to confound sceptics. Despite slowing e-commerce growth post-Covid, Zozo has solid strategies in place to continue to expand and...

Michael Causton

TOPIX July Rebalance: Flows at the Close Today

The TOPIX July rebalance will lead to a turnover of 0.55% and trade of JPY 443bn at the close today. The top 25 upweights have outperformed the top...

Brian Freitas

Japan Telecoms - Update from Regulators’ Competition Working Group

Further evidence that price reductions have met expectations as regulator working group prepares its final report on the competition. NTT remains...

Kirk Boodry