Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

Equity Bottom-Up

KDDI posted results that were largely in-line with consensus forecasts for Q4 and slightly ahead of our forecasts for FY21. As with recent quarters, operations were characterized by relative weakness in consumer offerings but strength in sales to corporates. The company sent a strong message on shareholder returns with the dividend going from ¥120 to ¥ 125 (the 20th straight year of increases) and a ¥150bn share purchase program (both in-line with our expectations). On the aggregate, with all telcos reporting, the incumbents are guiding to financial stability despite regulatory-driven price reductions and a more aggressive investment program by new entrant Rakuten. At 6x EBITDA and 12.5x EPS, KDDI shares look attractive and we remain at Buy.

KDDI posted results that were largely in-line with consensus forecasts for Q4 and slightly ahead of our forecasts for FY21. As with recent quarters, operations were characterized by relative weakness in consumer offerings but strength in sales to corporates. The company sent a strong message on shareholder returns with the dividend going from ¥120 to ¥ 125 (the 20th straight year of increases) and a ¥150bn share purchase program (both in-line with our expectations). On the aggregate, with all telcos reporting, the incumbents are guiding to financial stability despite regulatory-driven price reductions and a more aggressive investment program by new entrant Rakuten. At 6x EBITDA and 12.5x EPS, KDDI shares look attractive and we remain at Buy.

KDDI Q4 20 Results: Slightly Better Guidance and Solid Shareholder Returns

Internet Initiative Japan / Equity Bottom-Up

The IIJ story is better than we expected. The company again posted sector-leading growth in profitability with a direct reward to shareholders through a 42% dividend hike for this year (¥21 to ¥29.75) and a further 24% for FY21 (to ¥37). Guidance for FY21 is ahead of consensus and Redex expectations as are the company’s FY23 (Mar-24) mid-term financial targets for revenue and operating income. This growth trajectory is rare in the Japanese telecoms industry and is supported by exposure to growth areas (cloud, security and IoT) with less offset from weaker segments like consumer mobile. We consider IIJ a core telecom holding and the financial report today demonstrates why. Shares are up 9% in the afternoon session and we think the mid-term forecasts and a higher dividend can sustain further upside. We reiterate our Buy rating.

The IIJ story is better than we expected. The company again posted sector-leading growth in profitability with a direct reward to shareholders through a 42% dividend hike for this year (¥21 to ¥29.75) and a further 24% for FY21 (to ¥37). Guidance for FY21 is ahead of consensus and Redex expectations as are the company’s FY23 (Mar-24) mid-term financial targets for revenue and operating income. This growth trajectory is rare in the Japanese telecoms industry and is supported by exposure to growth areas (cloud, security and IoT) with less offset from weaker segments like consumer mobile. We consider IIJ a core telecom holding and the financial report today demonstrates why. Shares are up 9% in the afternoon session and we think the mid-term forecasts and a higher dividend can sustain further upside. We reiterate our Buy rating.

Internet Initiative Japan Q4 20 Results – Blowout Quarter / Guidance and Massive Dividend Hike

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The past nine months have been a wild ride. The industry has largely avoided the disruption of Covid-19 but NTT’s ¥4 trillion DoCoMo restructuring and regulatory-driven price reductions have shaken things up whilst competition from Rakuten is likely to heat up as it raises cash and accelerates investment. Mobile revenues will be down but that can be made up in other areas and whilst profitability in FY21 is flat at best and likely down modestly, shareholder returns are stable to growing.  NTT and KDDI are top picks with Softbank offering modest upside whilst we are more cautious on Rakuten after a 46% YTD run which largely captures the upside potential a more competitive mobile service offers.

The past nine months have been a wild ride. The industry has largely avoided the disruption of Covid-19 but NTT’s ¥4 trillion DoCoMo restructuring and regulatory-driven price reductions have shaken things up whilst competition from Rakuten is likely to heat up as it raises cash and accelerates investment. Mobile revenues will be down but that can be made up in other areas and whilst profitability in FY21 is flat at best and likely down modestly, shareholder returns are stable to growing.  NTT and KDDI are top picks with Softbank offering modest upside whilst we are more cautious on Rakuten after a 46% YTD run which largely captures the upside potential a more competitive mobile service offers.

Japan Telecom Sector: FY21 Will Be Tougher and More Competitive but Returns Can Still Rise

We consider Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ) to be a core holding in the Japan telecom space, supported by exposure to faster growth corporate revenue buoyed by a track record of success in bringing new products and services to market. The company has generally operated at the leading edge of service offerings being among the first to offer cloud services and MVNO mobile, followed more recently by network tools like security and IoT solutions. This progression of adding services to sell into a receptive enterprise user base has helped generate consistent top-line growth for over 20 years with margin improvement and free cash flow generation now ramping up. We value IIJ at ¥3,270/share and with 25% potential upside we are initiating coverage at Buy.

We consider Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ) to be a core holding in the Japan telecom space, supported by exposure to faster growth corporate revenue buoyed by a track record of success in bringing new products and services to market. The company has generally operated at the leading edge of service offerings being among the first to offer cloud services and MVNO mobile, followed more recently by network tools like security and IoT solutions. This progression of adding services to sell into a receptive enterprise user base has helped generate consistent top-line growth for over 20 years with margin improvement and free cash flow generation now ramping up. We value IIJ at ¥3,270/share and with 25% potential upside we are initiating coverage at Buy.  

Internet Initiative Japan - Potential Growth Remains Under-Appreciated (Initiation of Coverage)

IIJ has fired its salvo in the pricing wars with c. 10-40% reductions in consumer mobile plans although a shift in bundle sizes could minimize the impact as subscribers are upsold. Unsurprisingly, there are no sub 1GB plans since Rakuten is giving that away but the 2GB/¥780 plan is competitive (Rak: 1-3GB for ¥980) whilst IIJ is adding tiers higher than 12GB for the first time. On the aggregate, other businesses including Enterprise Mobile are generating sufficient growth that consumer mobile erosion is unlikely to have a material impact on consolidated numbers. Meanwhile, an impending announcement of mobile wholesale rates for FY20 is meaningful especially if costs are less than expected.

IIJ has fired its salvo in the pricing wars with c. 10-40% reductions in consumer mobile plans although a shift in bundle sizes could minimize the impact as subscribers are upsold. Unsurprisingly, there are no sub 1GB plans since Rakuten is giving that away but the 2GB/¥780 plan is competitive (Rak: 1-3GB for ¥980) whilst IIJ is adding tiers higher than 12GB for the first time. On the aggregate, other businesses including Enterprise Mobile are generating sufficient growth that consumer mobile erosion is unlikely to have a material impact on consolidated numbers. Meanwhile, an impending announcement of mobile wholesale rates for FY20 is meaningful especially if costs are less than expected. 

Internet Initiative Japan - New Pricing Plans Are Competitive and Impact Is Manageable

Japan

Internet Initiative Japan Inc. provides Internet connection services for businesses.  The Company also provides system integration services and sells system equipments.  Internet Initiative Japan offers a variety of services, including network consulting, security, and Web hosting as well.

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Internet Initiative Japan (3774 JP)

KDDI Q4 20 Results: Slightly Better Guidance and Solid Shareholder Returns

KDDI results were in-line and guidance implies growth in other areas can offset consumer mobile erosion. Good report but there may be near-term...

Kirk Boodry

Internet Initiative Japan Q4 20 Results – Blowout Quarter / Guidance and Massive Dividend Hike

We consider IIJ a core telecom holding and the financial report today demonstrates why. Shares are up but the mid-term forecasts and a higher...

Kirk Boodry

Japan Telecom Sector: FY21 Will Be Tougher and More Competitive but Returns Can Still Rise

FY21 will be a tough year for mobile with 5% service revenue erosion but new services provide some offset and returns to shareholders can still...

Kirk Boodry

Internet Initiative Japan - Potential Growth Remains Under-Appreciated (Initiation of Coverage)

We consider IIJ to be a core telecom holding in Japan and are initiating coverage on IIJ with a Buy rating and a ¥3,270 target price

Kirk Boodry

Internet Initiative Japan - New Pricing Plans Are Competitive and Impact Is Manageable

IIJ's new consumer mobile pricing plans are competitive with Rakuten and the financial impact on consolidated results should be immaterial

Kirk Boodry

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