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Equity Bottom-Up

Dentsu’s Q323 trading update describes demanding trading conditions with continuing spending constraint from customers in technology and finance, and ongoing delays to larger digital transformation projects. Full year organic revenue guidance is revised to -5% (from 0% to -2%), with an operating margin of 13.5%, depressed by one-off factors from 15.0%. The outlook is improving, albeit patchily, and initiatives to streamline the business and structure it more effectively to meet client needs should benefit the operating margin in FY24 and beyond.

Dentsu’s Q323 trading update describes demanding trading conditions with continuing spending constraint from customers in technology and finance, and ongoing delays to larger digital transformation projects. Full year organic revenue guidance is revised to -5% (from 0% to -2%), with an operating margin of 13.5%, depressed by one-off factors from 15.0%. The outlook is improving, albeit patchily, and initiatives to streamline the business and structure it more effectively to meet client needs should benefit the operating margin in FY24 and beyond.

Dentsu Group - One dentsu initiative set to improve efficiency

Dentsu experienced difficult trading conditions in its first half, with US client hesitancy, poor Chinese macro conditions and a one-off hit from a problematic project in the DACH region, compounded by demanding comparatives. These ease in H223, and trading should also benefit from one-off events like the Rugby World Cup, as well as the contribution from Tag, consolidated from 1 July. FY23 guidance is now for organic net revenue growth of 0% to -2% (was 1–2%) and a 17.0% operating margin (was 17.5%). With the inclusion of Tag, operational cost savings and lower interest following debt restructuring, guidance for EPS is unchanged. We have updated our forecasts to reflect this, with a knock-on into FY24. The valuation remains well below peers and long-term average metrics.

Dentsu experienced difficult trading conditions in its first half, with US client hesitancy, poor Chinese macro conditions and a one-off hit from a problematic project in the DACH region, compounded by demanding comparatives. These ease in H223, and trading should also benefit from one-off events like the Rugby World Cup, as well as the contribution from Tag, consolidated from 1 July. FY23 guidance is now for organic net revenue growth of 0% to -2% (was 1–2%) and a 17.0% operating margin (was 17.5%). With the inclusion of Tag, operational cost savings and lower interest following debt restructuring, guidance for EPS is unchanged. We have updated our forecasts to reflect this, with a knock-on into FY24. The valuation remains well below peers and long-term average metrics. 

Dentsu Group had demanding Q123 on Q122 comparisons and, with the acquisition contributions, we are not too concerned about the read-across for the rest of FY23, with performance skewed to H2. Progress in Customer Transformation and Technology (CT&T), up 6.7% in Q123 and now 35% of group net revenue, should buoy medium-term growth. Tag, the acquisition announced in March and expected to complete in early Q323 (subject to regulatory clearances), is another step towards the 50% CT&T target. We anticipate a return to margin expansion in FY24 as one-off factors retreat, the transition progresses and cost benefits from the ‘One dentsu’ initiative start to flow. The valuation remains at a marked discount to global peers.

Dentsu Group had demanding Q123 on Q122 comparisons and, with the acquisition contributions, we are not too concerned about the read-across for the rest of FY23, with performance skewed to H2. Progress in Customer Transformation and Technology (CT&T), up 6.7% in Q123 and now 35% of group net revenue, should buoy medium-term growth. Tag, the acquisition announced in March and expected to complete in early Q323 (subject to regulatory clearances), is another step towards the 50% CT&T target. We anticipate a return to margin expansion in FY24 as one-off factors retreat, the transition progresses and cost benefits from the ‘One dentsu’ initiative start to flow. The valuation remains at a marked discount to global peers.

Dentsu Group - FY23 ambitions weighted to second half

Dentsu reported record full-year headline results in FY22, which were bolstered by a final quarter in which the company delivered organic net revenue growth of 3.5%. Good progress continues to be made in Customer Transformation and Technology (CT&T), which grew 17.5% y-o-y and constituted 32% of revenues in the year. Management forecasts 4% organic revenue growth for FY23, reflecting the tougher macroeconomic environment. Guidance on the underlying operating margin in FY23 is for a retrenchment to 17.5% as investment is made to drive CT&T and support the One dentsu initiative. This is set to rebound to 18.0% in FY24 as the benefits start to flow through. Year-end net cash of ¥71.3bn and an appetite for leverage of 1.0–1.5x provides ample resource for both capex and M&A. Our FY23 estimates are under review.

Dentsu reported record full-year headline results in FY22, which were bolstered by a final quarter in which the company delivered organic net revenue growth of 3.5%. Good progress continues to be made in Customer Transformation and Technology (CT&T), which grew 17.5% y-o-y and constituted 32% of revenues in the year. Management forecasts 4% organic revenue growth for FY23, reflecting the tougher macroeconomic environment. Guidance on the underlying operating margin in FY23 is for a retrenchment to 17.5% as investment is made to drive CT&T and support the One dentsu initiative. This is set to rebound to 18.0% in FY24 as the benefits start to flow through. Year-end net cash of ¥71.3bn and an appetite for leverage of 1.0–1.5x provides ample resource for both capex and M&A. Our FY23 estimates are under review.

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>In early November, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dai-ichi-life-insurance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1109:1" rel="noopener">Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)</a> announced it would buy <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ipet-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36551:1" rel="noopener">ipet Holdings (7339 JP)</a>, of which listed VC/PE/incubator <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dream-incubator-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1229:1" rel="noopener">Dream Incubator (4310 JP)</a> owned 55%. DI agreed. </li>
<li>Dream Incubator's exit is worth ¥21.54bn in cash and ¥18.2bn in extraordinary gains on the consolidated financial statements for March 2023. </li>
<li>That is nice. They have promised to deliver ¥10bn of proceeds to shareholders and reinvest the other ¥5bn to grow their consulting business. It's a nice little asset.</li>
</ul>


In early November, Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP) announced it would buy ipet Holdings (7339 JP), of which listed VC/PE/incubator Dream Incubator (4310 JP) owned 55%. DI agreed. 
Dream Incubator's exit is worth ¥21.54bn in cash and ¥18.2bn in extraordinary gains on the consolidated financial statements for March 2023. 
That is nice. They have promised to deliver ¥10bn of proceeds to shareholders and reinvest the other ¥5bn to grow their consulting business. It's a nice little asset.


Dream Incubator (4310 JP) - An Interesting Exit and Attractive Valuation for Future Growth

Japan

DENTSU INC. mainly provides comprehensive advertising services.  The Company also provides marketing and event planning & promotion services.  Dentsu has associated companies in the US, Europe, and Asia.

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Dentsu Inc (4324 JP)

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Travis Lundy

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