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>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beenos-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18023:1" rel="noopener">Beenos Inc (3328 JP)</a>, despite missing earnings and offering smaller-than-expected buybacks, is potentially a deeply undervalued investment.</li>
<li>Beenos holds 38% of its market-cap in cash 14% in GoTo shares 72% in VC investments and 9% in investment securities, which amounts to over 133% of its current market-cap.</li>
<li>Distributing these excess assets to investors could potentially generate more than 100% upside.</li>
</ul>



Beenos Inc (3328 JP), despite missing earnings and offering smaller-than-expected buybacks, is potentially a deeply undervalued investment.
Beenos holds 38% of its market-cap in cash 14% in GoTo shares 72% in VC investments and 9% in investment securities, which amounts to over 133% of its current market-cap.
Distributing these excess assets to investors could potentially generate more than 100% upside.


Beenos: Holds 133% of Its Market Cap in Cash, GoTo Shares, VC Investments & Investment Securities

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beenos-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18023:1" rel="noopener">Beenos Inc (3328 JP)</a> is currently one of the cheapest stocks in the Japanese e-commerce sector with a consensus FY+2 EV/OP of 4.5x with an OP CAGR of around 130%.</li>
<li>In addition, the relatively cheap-looking valuation multiple excludes the current valuation of Beenos’ incubation program investments.</li>
<li>We think Beenos can sell its stake in GoTo in the short-term to conduct a big share buyback as the management thinks that Beenos is unfairly valued by the market.</li>
</ul>



Beenos Inc (3328 JP) is currently one of the cheapest stocks in the Japanese e-commerce sector with a consensus FY+2 EV/OP of 4.5x with an OP CAGR of around 130%.
In addition, the relatively cheap-looking valuation multiple excludes the current valuation of Beenos’ incubation program investments.
We think Beenos can sell its stake in GoTo in the short-term to conduct a big share buyback as the management thinks that Beenos is unfairly valued by the market.


Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beenos-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18023:1" rel="noopener">Beenos Inc (3328 JP)</a> is a relatively small cross-border e-commerce and internet company from Japan with a consolidated GMV of ¥64.7bn last year.</li>
<li>The company also runs an incubator platform to create new businesses and invest in start-ups mainly in emerging regions such as India and South-East Asia.</li>
<li>Down below, we analyse the impact on Beenos’ valuation following GOTO’s impending IPO of which Beenos owns 0.5%.</li>
</ul>



Beenos Inc (3328 JP) is a relatively small cross-border e-commerce and internet company from Japan with a consolidated GMV of ¥64.7bn last year.
The company also runs an incubator platform to create new businesses and invest in start-ups mainly in emerging regions such as India and South-East Asia.
Down below, we analyse the impact on Beenos’ valuation following GOTO’s impending IPO of which Beenos owns 0.5%.


GoTo May Not Be So Expensive, If You Own It Through Beenos

<ul>
<li>Beenos revealed a ¥300m buyback plan in 2QFY23 and recently declared a ¥500m buyback in 3QFY23. This incremental buybacks is likely to continue due to disposal of incubator investments.</li>
<li>The cash balance of 34% of total assets and over 49% of market cap, supports the ongoing buyback trend even if incubator divestments take longer than expected.</li>
<li>Hence, we expect <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beenos-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18023:1" rel="noopener">Beenos Inc (3328 JP)</a>’s Holdco discount to move closer to the 20% mark, potentially resulting in a 75% upside in the short term.</li>
</ul>


Beenos revealed a ¥300m buyback plan in 2QFY23 and recently declared a ¥500m buyback in 3QFY23. This incremental buybacks is likely to continue due to disposal of incubator investments.
The cash balance of 34% of total assets and over 49% of market cap, supports the ongoing buyback trend even if incubator divestments take longer than expected.
Hence, we expect Beenos Inc (3328 JP)’s Holdco discount to move closer to the 20% mark, potentially resulting in a 75% upside in the short term.


Equity Analyst, Event-driven, Quiddity Advisors

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Equity Analyst, Event-driven

Quiddity Advisors

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) calculates Free-Float Weight (FFW) for each listed company and uses this value as a key component of TOPIX Index Calculation. For companies with "low liquidity" the FFW will be multiplied by a fixed liquidity factor of 0.75 to derive the final FFW used for index calculation. This affects both TSE-1 incumbents and new entrants (depending on the date of entry). Every April, the application of this liquidity factor is reviewed by the TSE for all TSE1 constituents. Last April, 71 constituents saw their liquidity factors removed causing an increase in their respective FFWs used for index calculation resulting in a TOPIX upweight.This situation opens up interesting opportunities for a basket trade. Below is a discussion regarding the key details of TSE's FFW Calculation Methodology and the candidate stocks which could potentially experience a change in the application of the liquidity factor (including some surprisingly big names).

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) calculates Free-Float Weight (FFW) for each listed company and uses this value as a key component of TOPIX Index Calculation. For companies with "low liquidity" the FFW will be multiplied by a fixed liquidity factor of 0.75 to derive the final FFW used for index calculation. This affects both TSE-1 incumbents and new entrants (depending on the date of entry). Every April, the application of this liquidity factor is reviewed by the TSE for all TSE1 constituents. Last April, 71 constituents saw their liquidity factors removed causing an increase in their respective FFWs used for index calculation resulting in a TOPIX upweight.This situation opens up interesting opportunities for a basket trade. Below is a discussion regarding the key details of TSE's FFW Calculation Methodology and the candidate stocks which could potentially experience a change in the application of the liquidity factor (including some surprisingly big names).   

TOPIX Index Upweights: The Big April Basket 2021

Japan

Beenos Inc sells various type of merchandise using group-buying method through Internet. The Company's merchandises include fashion goods, brand goods, convenience goods, baby goods, and toiletry goods.

Beenos Inc (3328 JP)

Beenos: Holds 133% of Its Market Cap in Cash, GoTo Shares, VC Investments & Investment Securities

Beenos, despite missing earnings and offering smaller-than-expected buybacks, is potentially a deeply undervalued investment. It Holds over 133% of...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Beenos: Big Buybacks Forthcoming

We think it is quite possible for Beenos to sell its stake in GoTo in the short term to conduct a big share buyback as the management is of the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

GoTo May Not Be So Expensive, If You Own It Through Beenos

Beenos owns 3.545bn shares of GoTo with a lock-up period of 8 months and at the IPO price, the company’s ownership share would be valued at around...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Beenos: Ramps Up Buybacks

Beenos revealed a ¥300m buyback plan in 2QFY23 and recently declared a ¥500m buyback in 3QFY23. This incremental buybacks is likely to continue due...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

TOPIX Index Upweights: The Big April Basket 2021

TOPIX does an annual exercise to adjust Liquidity Factor. The time for trades around that is upon us. This insight looks at the best trade around...

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA