Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Equity Bottom-Up

<div>
<ul>
<li><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Money Forward’s stock price declined by 12% on the day following a weak Q3 earnings release. </span></li>
<li>
<span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">The weaker revenue print was partially due to the lumpiness of revenue recognition in MF X (technology solutions), and lower ARPA growth in the core MF Business domain. </span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span>
</li>
<li>
<span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">We take a deeper look at the underlying SaaS metrics for MF Business and note some slowing in key KPIs. </span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span>
</li>
<li>
<span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Nevertheless, we believe that the company is well placed to target mid-sized companies, which will ultimately drive higher ARR growth.  </span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span>
</li>
<li><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'>Even assuming a weaker NTM growth of 25%, we see 30% upside for the share price</span></li>
</ul>
</div>



Money Forward’s stock price declined by 12% on the day following a weak Q3 earnings release. 

 The weaker revenue print was partially due to the lumpiness of revenue recognition in MF X (technology solutions), and lower ARPA growth in the core MF Business domain.  


We take a deeper look at the underlying SaaS metrics for MF Business and note some slowing in key KPIs.  


Nevertheless, we believe that the company is well placed to target mid-sized companies, which will ultimately drive higher ARR growth.   

Even assuming a weaker NTM growth of 25%, we see 30% upside for the share price



Money Forward (3994) - 30% Upside Despite Slower Growth

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Japan Post Holdings / Equity Capital Markets

<div><p>The Japanese government plans to sell over 26% or US$8bn worth of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-post-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:359:1" rel="noopener">Japan Post Holdings (6178 JP).</a> We've covered most most aspects of the deal in our previous note, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-post-holdings-placement-the-final-us-8bn-countdown-past-deal-didn-t-do-well" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Japan Post Holdings Placement - The Final US$8bn Countdown - Past Deal Didn’t Do Well</a>. </p></div><div><p>In this note, we will talk about the updates and the share price performance so far.</p></div>

The Japanese government plans to sell over 26% or US$8bn worth of Japan Post Holdings (6178 JP). We've covered most most aspects of the deal in our previous note, Japan Post Holdings Placement - The Final US$8bn Countdown - Past Deal Didn’t Do Well. In this note, we will talk about the updates and the share price performance so far.

Japan Post Holdings Placement - The Final US$8bn Countdown - Shaping up Better than the Last Deal

<ul>
<li><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">San San should benefit from an end to Covid restrictions as employees start to network again, with revenue driven to some extent by the volume of business cards that are digitised</span></li>
<li><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">San San remains in the early stages of its growth cycle as corporate Japan embraces digital transformation</span></li>
<li><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Q1 Sales growth +25% YoY, accelerated from 19% YoY the previous quarter</span></li>
<li>Bill One, a new invoicing platform, is starting to contribute</li>
<li>The stock has run up 52% YTD, one of the top performers among large cap SaaS companies in Japan </li>
<li>Trading at 18x TTM Revenue the stock is cheaper than peers</li>
</ul>


San San should benefit from an end to Covid restrictions as employees start to network again, with revenue driven to some extent by the volume of business cards that are digitised
San San remains in the early stages of its growth cycle as corporate Japan embraces digital transformation
Q1 Sales growth +25% YoY, accelerated from 19% YoY the previous quarter
Bill One, a new invoicing platform, is starting to contribute
The stock has run up 52% YTD, one of the top performers among large cap SaaS companies in Japan 
Trading at 18x TTM Revenue the stock is cheaper than peers


San San (4443) - Networking, Not Net Working

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhou-intl-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10415:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhou Intl Group Holdings (2313 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/great-wall-motor-co-ltd-cb302af9-398c-4d2d-ba39-023e43287eef" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:128:1" rel="noopener">Great Wall Motor (2333 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-health-international-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29677:1" rel="noopener">JD Health (6618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cansino-biologics-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27739:1" rel="noopener">CanSino Biologics Inc (6185 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xinyi-solar-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:318:1" rel="noopener">Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in the Health Care, Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology and Materials sectors while decreasing in the Financials and Communication Services sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/renesas-electronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15933:1" rel="noopener">Renesas Electronics (6723 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shionogi-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19535:1" rel="noopener">Shionogi &amp; Co (4507 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advantest-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18107:1" rel="noopener">Advantest Corp (6857 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11028:1" rel="noopener">Toto Ltd (5332 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimano-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3777:1" rel="noopener">Shimano Inc (7309 JP)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-building-fund-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1900:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Building Fund (8951 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kawasaki-kisen-kaisha-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3548:1" rel="noopener">Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (9107 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/freee-kk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28424:1" rel="noopener">freee (4478 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welcia-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20895:1" rel="noopener">Welcia Holdings (3141 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nisshinbo-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10561:1" rel="noopener">Nisshinbo Holdings (3105 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in the Information Technology, Industrials and Health Care sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-display-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7145:1" rel="noopener">LG Display (034220 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hmm-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13494:1" rel="noopener">HMM Co., Ltd. (011200 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amorepacific-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20854:1" rel="noopener">Amorepacific Corp (090430 KS)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ncsoft-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5169:1" rel="noopener">NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/doosan-heavy-industries-construction" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7389:1" rel="noopener">Doosan Heavy Industries &amp; Construction (034020 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-chem-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3583:1" rel="noopener">LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a>. </p></div><div><p>In Taiwan, shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mediatek-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:772:1" rel="noopener">Mediatek Inc (2454 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/innolux-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4509:1" rel="noopener">Innolux Corp (3481 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a> while shorts covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wan-hai-lines-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14262:1" rel="noopener">Wan Hai Lines (2615 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergreen-marine-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15428:1" rel="noopener">Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asia-cement-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15350:1" rel="noopener">Asia Cement (1102 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shin-kong-financial-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15351:1" rel="noopener">Shin Kong Financial Holding (2888 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ta-chen-stainless-pipe-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2519:1" rel="noopener">TA Chen Stainless Pipe (2027 TT)</a>.</p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Shenzhou Intl Group Holdings (2313 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), Great Wall Motor (2333 HK), JD Health (6618 HK) and CanSino Biologics Inc (6185 HK) while there was short covering on Alibaba Group (9988 HK), BYD (1211 HK), Tencent (700 HK), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK) and Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK). Shorts increased in the Health Care, Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology and Materials sectors while decreasing in the Financials and Communication Services sectors.In Japan, stocks increased on Renesas Electronics (6723 JP), Shionogi &amp; Co (4507 JP), Advantest Corp (6857 JP), Toto Ltd (5332 JP) and Shimano Inc (7309 JP) while there was short covering on Nippon Building Fund (8951 JP), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (9107 JP), freee (4478 JP), Welcia Holdings (3141 JP) and Nisshinbo Holdings (3105 JP). Shorts increased in the Information Technology, Industrials and Health Care sectors.In Korea, shorts increased on Celltrion Inc (068270 KS), Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS), LG Display (034220 KS), HMM Co., Ltd. (011200 KS) and Amorepacific Corp (090430 KS) while shorts were covered on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS), Doosan Heavy Industries &amp; Construction (034020 KS), LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS) and Kakao Corp (035720 KS). In Taiwan, shorts increased on Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT), Mediatek Inc (2454 TT), Innolux Corp (3481 TT), Yageo Corporation (2327 TT) and TSMC (2330 TT) while shorts covered on Wan Hai Lines (2615 TT), Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT), Asia Cement (1102 TT), Shin Kong Financial Holding (2888 TT) and TA Chen Stainless Pipe (2027 TT).

Asia Shorts: Shenzhou, Xiaomi, BABA, BYD, Renesas, Shionogi, Freee, Celltrion, LGD, Novatek, Wan Hai

Smartkarma Research Team, Smartkarma

Smartkarma Research

Smartkarma Research Team

Smartkarma

Smartkarma unites the fragmented investment industry, connecting institutional investors, independent research providers, and corporates within a single network.

Research Reinvented

<p>For our next Webinar, we are excited to welcome back Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/mio-kato" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:713" rel="noopener">Mio Kato</a> and the LightStream Research team, as they present unique views into approaching the Japanese market. LightStream offers insights gleaned from their expertise on the ground, engaging with company management and bridging business and culture gaps between Japan and western Investors.</p><h3>The webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, 1 September 2021, 17:00 SGT/HKT.</h3><div class="content-highlight"><h2><a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1H9pFZOB-RF2J00kbvMmxcw2c5gj?zoom_webinar_id=89011968584" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Register for the Webinar here</a></h2></div><p>Mio Kato has over 15 years of experience looking at Japanese and Asian cyclically driven sectors such as Gaming, Factory Automation and Autos. He was previously with FrontPoint Partners LP, Arrowhawk Capital Partners, and Uzabase before founding LightStream Research.</p><p>LightStream Research conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia. The team supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available. They further refine the accuracy of their 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.</p>

For our next Webinar, we are excited to welcome back Insight Provider Mio Kato and the LightStream Research team, as they present unique views into approaching the Japanese market. LightStream offers insights gleaned from their expertise on the ground, engaging with company management and bridging business and culture gaps between Japan and western Investors.The webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, 1 September 2021, 17:00 SGT/HKT.Register for the Webinar hereMio Kato has over 15 years of experience looking at Japanese and Asian cyclically driven sectors such as Gaming, Factory Automation and Autos. He was previously with FrontPoint Partners LP, Arrowhawk Capital Partners, and Uzabase before founding LightStream Research.LightStream Research conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia. The team supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available. They further refine the accuracy of their 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.

Smartkarma Webinar | Understanding Japanese Companies: Insights from LightStream Research

Japan

freee K.K. develops software products. The Company produces cloud based accounting softwares, automatic online accounting systems, and other products. freee provides its services throughout Japan.

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Freee (4478 JP)

Money Forward (3994) - 30% Upside Despite Slower Growth

We take a deeper look at the underlying SaaS metrics for MF Business and note some slowing in key KPIs. Even so, on a more conservative growth...

Mark Chadwick

Japan Post Holdings Placement - The Final US$8bn Countdown - Shaping up Better than the Last Deal

The Japanese government plans to sell over 26% or US$8bn worth of Japan Post Holdings (6178 JP). In this note, we will talk about the updates and...

Sumeet Singh

San San (4443) - Networking, Not Net Working

San San offers investors exposure to multiple growth megatrends, including Digital Transformation, SaaS market penetration, and work-style reform...

Mark Chadwick

Asia Shorts: Shenzhou, Xiaomi, BABA, BYD, Renesas, Shionogi, Freee, Celltrion, LGD, Novatek, Wan Hai

The Insight looks at movements in short interest across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

Smartkarma Webinar | Understanding Japanese Companies: Insights from LightStream Research

On 1 September, 5pm SGT, join us for a Webinar with Mio Kato and the LightStream Research team, as they present unique views into approaching the...

Smartkarma Research

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