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. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/adastria-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11895:1" rel="noopener">Adastria Co Ltd (2685 JP)</a> has rebuilt and renamed its online store as it aims to create a major fashion mall to rival the likes of Zozo and Rakuten Fashion.</li>
<li>Unlike those rivals, it has a chain of stores linked to the mall, an advantage in a market where omnichannel is well supported by customers.</li>
<li>To boost sales from younger Japanese with fewer savings, it has also tied with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/acom-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8897:1" rel="noopener">Acom Co Ltd (8572 JP)</a> to offer small loans.</li>
</ul>



Adastria Co Ltd (2685 JP) has rebuilt and renamed its online store as it aims to create a major fashion mall to rival the likes of Zozo and Rakuten Fashion.
Unlike those rivals, it has a chain of stores linked to the mall, an advantage in a market where omnichannel is well supported by customers.
To boost sales from younger Japanese with fewer savings, it has also tied with Acom Co Ltd (8572 JP) to offer small loans.


Adastria Targets Zozo with New Online Mall, ‘And ST’

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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.

Event-Driven

As SBI goes hostile on Shinsei Bank, Travis has covered the details on the tender <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/dashboard?collection=all-insights&amp;item=57426" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. In order to examine the potential resting place of Shinsei Bank shares after SBI Holdings’ tender concludes, we provide below a valuation comparison vs. a variety of peers.

As SBI goes hostile on Shinsei Bank, Travis has covered the details on the tender here. In order to examine the potential resting place of Shinsei Bank shares after SBI Holdings’ tender concludes, we provide below a valuation comparison vs. a variety of peers.

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Index Rebalance

The results of the JPX Nikkei 400 review have been announced. There are 32 inclusions and 27 deletions to bring the number of constituents back to 400 and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 27 November.The index review is normally effective after the close of trading on  the second last trading day in August, but was postponed by 3 months this year because of the extension given to companies to file their annual reports and quarterly reports to 30 September owing to COVID-19.These are the stocks that have been included and excluded from the index.<table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; width: 181pt;"><h3>Inclusions</h3></td>
<td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; width: 197pt;"><h3>Exclusions</h3></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Code</td>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Code</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1766.T</td>
<td>Token Corp</td>
<td>2124.T</td>
<td>Jac Recruitment Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2222.T</td>
<td>Kotobuki Spirits Co Ltd</td>
<td>2206.T</td>
<td>Ezaki Glico Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2264.T</td>
<td>Morinaga Milk Industry Co Ltd</td>
<td>2432.T</td>
<td>DeNA Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2317.T</td>
<td>Systena Corp</td>
<td>3254.T</td>
<td>Pressance Corp</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2593.T</td>
<td>Ito En Ltd</td>
<td>3668.T</td>
<td>Colopl Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2811.T</td>
<td>Kagome Co Ltd</td>
<td>4246.T</td>
<td>DaikyoNishikawa Corp</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3563.T</td>
<td>Sushiro Global Holdings Ltd</td>
<td>4587.T</td>
<td>PeptiDream Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3635.T</td>
<td>Koei Tecmo Holdings Co Ltd</td>
<td>4681.T</td>
<td>Resorttrust Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4189.T</td>
<td>KH Neochem Co Ltd</td>
<td>4751.T</td>
<td>CyberAgent Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4348.T</td>
<td>Infocom Corp</td>
<td>4902.T</td>
<td>Konica Minolta Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4527.T</td>
<td>Rohto Pharmaceutical Co Ltd</td>
<td>5486.T</td>
<td>Hitachi Metals Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4686.T</td>
<td>Justsystems Corp</td>
<td>5703.T</td>
<td>Nippon Light Metal Holdings Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4816.T</td>
<td>Toei Animation Co Ltd</td>
<td>5714.T</td>
<td>DOWA Holdings Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4921.T</td>
<td>Fancl Corp</td>
<td>5975.T</td>
<td>Topre Corp</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5105.T</td>
<td>Toyo Tire Corp</td>
<td>6269.T</td>
<td>Modec Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5631.T</td>
<td>Japan Steel Works Ltd</td>
<td>6324.T</td>
<td>Harmonic Drive Systems Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5857.T</td>
<td>Asahi Holdings Inc</td>
<td>6463.T</td>
<td>TPR Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6005.T</td>
<td>Miura Co Ltd</td>
<td>6473.T</td>
<td>Jtekt Corp</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6035.T</td>
<td>IR Japan Holdings Ltd</td>
<td>6641.T</td>
<td>Nissin Electric Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6134.T</td>
<td>Fuji Corp (Aichi)</td>
<td>6755.T</td>
<td>Fujitsu General Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6465.T</td>
<td>Hoshizaki Corp</td>
<td>6806.T</td>
<td>Hirose Electric Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6532.T</td>
<td>BayCurrent Consulting Inc</td>
<td>7012.T</td>
<td>Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6670.T</td>
<td>MCJ Co Ltd</td>
<td>7606.T</td>
<td>United Arrows Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6753.T</td>
<td>Sharp Corp</td>
<td>7867.T</td>
<td>Tomy Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6754.T</td>
<td>Anritsu Corp</td>
<td>8227.T</td>
<td>Shimamura Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8354.T</td>
<td>Fukuoka Financial Group Inc</td>
<td>8628.T</td>
<td>Matsui Securities Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8572.T</td>
<td>Acom Co Ltd</td>
<td>9404.T</td>
<td>Nippon Television Holdings Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9044.T</td>
<td>Nankai Electric Railway Co Ltd</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9142.T</td>
<td>Kyushu Railway Co</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9504.T</td>
<td>Chugoku Electric Power Co Inc</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9509.T</td>
<td>Hokkaido Electric Power Co Inc</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9603.T</td>
<td>H.I.S. Co Ltd</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

The results of the JPX Nikkei 400 review have been announced. There are 32 inclusions and 27 deletions to bring the number of constituents back to 400 and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 27 November.The index review is normally effective after the close of trading on  the second last trading day in August, but was postponed by 3 months this year because of the extension given to companies to file their annual reports and quarterly reports to 30 September owing to COVID-19.These are the stocks that have been included and excluded from the index.








Inclusions
Exclusions


Name
Code
Name
Code


1766.T
Token Corp
2124.T
Jac Recruitment Co Ltd


2222.T
Kotobuki Spirits Co Ltd
2206.T
Ezaki Glico Co Ltd


2264.T
Morinaga Milk Industry Co Ltd
2432.T
DeNA Co Ltd


2317.T
Systena Corp
3254.T
Pressance Corp


2593.T
Ito En Ltd
3668.T
Colopl Inc


2811.T
Kagome Co Ltd
4246.T
DaikyoNishikawa Corp


3563.T
Sushiro Global Holdings Ltd
4587.T
PeptiDream Inc


3635.T
Koei Tecmo Holdings Co Ltd
4681.T
Resorttrust Inc


4189.T
KH Neochem Co Ltd
4751.T
CyberAgent Inc


4348.T
Infocom Corp
4902.T
Konica Minolta Inc


4527.T
Rohto Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
5486.T
Hitachi Metals Ltd


4686.T
Justsystems Corp
5703.T
Nippon Light Metal Holdings Co Ltd


4816.T
Toei Animation Co Ltd
5714.T
DOWA Holdings Co Ltd


4921.T
Fancl Corp
5975.T
Topre Corp


5105.T
Toyo Tire Corp
6269.T
Modec Inc


5631.T
Japan Steel Works Ltd
6324.T
Harmonic Drive Systems Inc


5857.T
Asahi Holdings Inc
6463.T
TPR Co Ltd


6005.T
Miura Co Ltd
6473.T
Jtekt Corp


6035.T
IR Japan Holdings Ltd
6641.T
Nissin Electric Co Ltd


6134.T
Fuji Corp (Aichi)
6755.T
Fujitsu General Ltd


6465.T
Hoshizaki Corp
6806.T
Hirose Electric Co Ltd


6532.T
BayCurrent Consulting Inc
7012.T
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd


6670.T
MCJ Co Ltd
7606.T
United Arrows Ltd


6753.T
Sharp Corp
7867.T
Tomy Co Ltd


6754.T
Anritsu Corp
8227.T
Shimamura Co Ltd


8354.T
Fukuoka Financial Group Inc
8628.T
Matsui Securities Co Ltd


8572.T
Acom Co Ltd
9404.T
Nippon Television Holdings Inc


9044.T
Nankai Electric Railway Co Ltd




9142.T
Kyushu Railway Co




9504.T
Chugoku Electric Power Co Inc




9509.T
Hokkaido Electric Power Co Inc




9603.T
H.I.S. Co Ltd






JPX Nikkei 400 Index Rebalance: Better Late Than Never (32 Adds; 27 Deletes)

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

* Poor Operating Result:Aeon Financial Service (8570.JP) [AFS] reported a FY 1Q20 operating loss of JPY 0.8 bn, and a net loss of JPY 1.1 bn. The poor result was driven by JPY 30.7 bn in net loss provisions, as credit quality across AFS deteriorated well beyond expectations resultant of the global slowdown attributed to COVID-19;* ASEAN Risk: Aeon Thana Sinsap (ATS.TB) [ATS], AFS’ 54.3% owned subsidiary) reported a 46% YOY decline results to THB 530 mn, as ATS temporarily closed 70 branches for about six weeks through mid-May due to COVID-19, and offered credit assistance to customers in line with the Bank of Thailand’s relief measures. Aeon Credit Service Berhad (ACSM.HK) reported results of MYR 26.3 mn  - declining 69% YOY in 1Q to MYR 26.3 mn. The Malaysian government’s Movement Control Order (MCO) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 had a negative impact on local business activities,*Dividend Cut: FY 2/21 DPS guidance of JPY 23 is a sharp reduction in DPS – but in line with the projected profit decline and works out to a dividend payout ratio of 50%-100%. This was a negative surprise as AFS had made a convincing argument for dividend stability at the FY 2/20 earnings briefing. If a 2nd wave of COVID-19 occurs, we’d expect the dividend to decline to zero.

* Poor Operating Result:Aeon Financial Service (8570.JP) [AFS] reported a FY 1Q20 operating loss of JPY 0.8 bn, and a net loss of JPY 1.1 bn. The poor result was driven by JPY 30.7 bn in net loss provisions, as credit quality across AFS deteriorated well beyond expectations resultant of the global slowdown attributed to COVID-19;* ASEAN Risk: Aeon Thana Sinsap (ATS.TB) [ATS], AFS’ 54.3% owned subsidiary) reported a 46% YOY decline results to THB 530 mn, as ATS temporarily closed 70 branches for about six weeks through mid-May due to COVID-19, and offered credit assistance to customers in line with the Bank of Thailand’s relief measures. Aeon Credit Service Berhad (ACSM.HK) reported results of MYR 26.3 mn  - declining 69% YOY in 1Q to MYR 26.3 mn. The Malaysian government’s Movement Control Order (MCO) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 had a negative impact on local business activities,*Dividend Cut: FY 2/21 DPS guidance of JPY 23 is a sharp reduction in DPS – but in line with the projected profit decline and works out to a dividend payout ratio of 50%-100%. This was a negative surprise as AFS had made a convincing argument for dividend stability at the FY 2/20 earnings briefing. If a 2nd wave of COVID-19 occurs, we’d expect the dividend to decline to zero.  

AEON Financial Services – ASEAN Weakness Results In Dividend Cut

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) / Equity Bottom-Up

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 JP)

*Weak May 2020 Data: ACOM (8572.JP) released poor May 2020 monthly performance data on June 10th which exhibited negative consumer lending growth for the first time since 2014  - declining 0.6% YOY during the month. ACOM is chronically understates kaburai risk;* No Guidance Still: Senior management did not issue FY3/21 guidance, we remain in the dark regarding treatment of credit costs and its overseas operations; and  * MUFG Should Struggle Globally Too: The lack of provisioning is far from the only problem MUFG must manage. Post-COVID-19, we calculate that MUFG America’s will have a regulatory capital shortfall of up to USD 6.5 bn or 40% of MUFG America’s stated equity; continued impairments on subsidiaries; significant Softbank (9984.JP) exposure; and Morgan Stanley’s (MS.US) MUFG dilutive E*Trade (ETFC.US) transaction.

*Weak May 2020 Data: ACOM (8572.JP) released poor May 2020 monthly performance data on June 10th which exhibited negative consumer lending growth for the first time since 2014  - declining 0.6% YOY during the month. ACOM is chronically understates kaburai risk;* No Guidance Still: Senior management did not issue FY3/21 guidance, we remain in the dark regarding treatment of credit costs and its overseas operations; and  * MUFG Should Struggle Globally Too: The lack of provisioning is far from the only problem MUFG must manage. Post-COVID-19, we calculate that MUFG America’s will have a regulatory capital shortfall of up to USD 6.5 bn or 40% of MUFG America’s stated equity; continued impairments on subsidiaries; significant Softbank (9984.JP) exposure; and Morgan Stanley’s (MS.US) MUFG dilutive E*Trade (ETFC.US) transaction.

Japan

ACOM CO., LTD is a consumer financing company.  The Company provides financial services such as secured/unsecured loans and consumer installment credits.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
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Acom Co Ltd (8572 JP)

Adastria Targets Zozo with New Online Mall, ‘And ST’

Adastria Co Ltd aims to rival Zozo and Rakuten Fashion with a new online store and omnichannel strategy, targeting younger Japanese with small...

Michael Causton

Shinsei Bank - Valuations

In order to examine the potential resting place of Shinsei Bank shares after SBI Holdings’ tender concludes, we provide below a valuation...

Mio Kato

JPX Nikkei 400 Index Rebalance: Better Late Than Never (32 Adds; 27 Deletes)

There are 32 inclusions and 27 exclusions from the JPX Nikkei 400. The changes will be effective after the close of trading on 27 November and the...

Brian Freitas

AEON Financial Services – ASEAN Weakness Results In Dividend Cut

* Poor Operating Result:Aeon Financial Service (8570.JP) [AFS] reported a FY 1Q20 operating loss of JPY 0.8 bn, and a net loss of JPY 1.1 bn. The...

Thomas J. Monaco

MUFG – ACOM Monthly Data Disappoints

*Weak May 2020 Data: ACOM (8572.JP) released poor May 2020 monthly performance data on June 10th which exhibited negative consumer lending growth...

Thomas J. Monaco

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Adastria Targets Zozo with New Online Mall, ‘And ST’

​Adastria Co Ltd aims to rival Zozo and Rakuten Fashion with a new online store and omnichannel strategy, targeting younger Japanese with small...

Michael Causton

Shinsei Bank - Valuations

In order to examine the potential resting place of Shinsei Bank shares after SBI Holdings’ tender concludes, we provide below a valuation...

Mio Kato

JPX Nikkei 400 Index Rebalance: Better Late Than Never (32 Adds; 27 Deletes)

There are 32 inclusions and 27 exclusions from the JPX Nikkei 400. The changes will be effective after the close of trading on 27 November and the...

Brian Freitas

AEON Financial Services – ASEAN Weakness Results In Dividend Cut

* Poor Operating Result:Aeon Financial Service (8570.JP) [AFS] reported a FY 1Q20 operating loss of JPY 0.8 bn, and a net loss of JPY 1.1 bn. The...

Thomas J. Monaco

MUFG – ACOM Monthly Data Disappoints

*Weak May 2020 Data: ACOM (8572.JP) released poor May 2020 monthly performance data on June 10th which exhibited negative consumer lending growth...

Thomas J. Monaco

Adastria Co Ltd aims to rival Zozo and Rakuten Fashion with a new online store and omnichannel strategy, targeting younger Japanese with small...