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

Pan Pacific International Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>There were many sceptics when Don Quijote bought Uny given that no other GMS retailer was performing well.</li>
<li>Today, Uny is finding new relevance thanks to the adoption of merchandising and marketing from Don Quijote.</li>
<li>But the real secret ingredient is, as in Donki stores, giving staff the freedom and responsibility they always wanted – including profitability of each store.</li>
</ul>


There were many sceptics when Don Quijote bought Uny given that no other GMS retailer was performing well.
Today, Uny is finding new relevance thanks to the adoption of merchandising and marketing from Don Quijote.
But the real secret ingredient is, as in Donki stores, giving staff the freedom and responsibility they always wanted – including profitability of each store.


PPI Succeeds with Uny Using Donki Know-How

Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/citic-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20590:1" rel="noopener">Citic Ltd (267 HK)</a> is a well-managed conglomerate trading at a big discount to its constituent parts</li>
<li>Earnings should move up from here and pays a decent dividend while you wait.</li>
<li>A member of both the the Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)  and the HSCCI and will attract inflows once institutional money returns</li>
</ul>



Citic Ltd (267 HK) is a well-managed conglomerate trading at a big discount to its constituent parts
Earnings should move up from here and pays a decent dividend while you wait.
A member of both the the Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)  and the HSCCI and will attract inflows once institutional money returns


Citic Limited - A Deeply Discounted Conglomerate in the Hang Seng Index

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Tailwinds are turning to headwinds for the Japanese Trading companies.</li>
<li>Risks rising in the short term due to JPY strength, weakening commodity prices and the upcoming US recession.</li>
<li>Massive outperformance over the last two years, most recently due to multiple expansion</li>
</ul>


Tailwinds are turning to headwinds for the Japanese Trading companies.
Risks rising in the short term due to JPY strength, weakening commodity prices and the upcoming US recession.
Massive outperformance over the last two years, most recently due to multiple expansion


Risks Ahead for Japanese Trading Companies. Marubeni, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Mitsubishi

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20668:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)</a> yesterday announced earnings, forecast for FY23, higher dividend guidance, and a buyback. The headline number is 6% of shares and ¥300bn (which is nearer 4% now).</li>
<li>¥200bn of that ¥300bn is actually FY2022 "Additional Return" tacked onto a ¥100bn buyback for this year (FY23).  </li>
<li>As is often the case, <strong>Shareholder Structure Matters</strong>. Because Berkshire Hathaway owns a large chunk of stock (7.4% according to interviews), that carves out a fair chunk not for sale.</li>
</ul>



Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP) yesterday announced earnings, forecast for FY23, higher dividend guidance, and a buyback. The headline number is 6% of shares and ¥300bn (which is nearer 4% now).
¥200bn of that ¥300bn is actually FY2022 "Additional Return" tacked onto a ¥100bn buyback for this year (FY23).  
As is often the case, Shareholder Structure Matters. Because Berkshire Hathaway owns a large chunk of stock (7.4% according to interviews), that carves out a fair chunk not for sale.


MitCorp (8058 JP) Earnings and Buyback - Shareholder Structure Matters

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-pacific-international-holdings-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13475:1" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)'</a> Don Quijote stores rebounded strongly from Covid, despite the lack of inbound tourists, reflecting the hard work done to update stores and merchandise.</li>
<li>This innovation continues and Don Quijote stores recently even began offering several new private brand cosmetics ranges and new electronics, including a new small footprint freezer. </li>
<li>The company expects 15% of domestic sales from private brands alone but rising to 25% in the near term, with significant upside for operating profits.</li>
</ul>



Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)' Don Quijote stores rebounded strongly from Covid, despite the lack of inbound tourists, reflecting the hard work done to update stores and merchandise.
This innovation continues and Don Quijote stores recently even began offering several new private brand cosmetics ranges and new electronics, including a new small footprint freezer. 
The company expects 15% of domestic sales from private brands alone but rising to 25% in the near term, with significant upside for operating profits.


More Profit for Donki as It Expands Private Label, Even Freezers

Japan

ITOCHU Corporation is a general trading firm handling textiles, wood, machinery, metals, food, chemicals, construction materials, commodities, and energy related products such as oil and gas. The Company operates around the world. Itochu diversifies by operating in satellite communication and data communication businesses.

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Itochu Corp (8001 JP)

PPI Succeeds with Uny Using Donki Know-How

Don Quijote's acquisition of Uny has led to a resurgence in the retailer's success through innovative merchandising and empowering staff with...

Michael Causton

Citic Limited - A Deeply Discounted Conglomerate in the Hang Seng Index

Citic Ltd (267 HK) is an undervalued conglomerate in the Hang Seng Index, offering a good dividend and potential for institutional inflows.

Rikki Malik

Risks Ahead for Japanese Trading Companies. Marubeni, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Mitsubishi

The investment thesis is starting to work as the reasoning behind the trade is playing out as the Japanese Yen strengthens.

Rikki Malik

MitCorp (8058 JP) Earnings and Buyback - Shareholder Structure Matters

MitCorp announced good earnings, a lower FY23 forecast (expected as commodity-related over-profitability falls back), and a large buyback. It is...

Travis Lundy

More Profit for Donki as It Expands Private Label, Even Freezers

Pan Pacific's Don Quijote chain managed to improve same-store sales in the past year despite previously relying on inbound tourists for 10% of...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

PPI Succeeds with Uny Using Donki Know-How

​Don Quijote's acquisition of Uny has led to a resurgence in the retailer's success through innovative merchandising and empowering staff with...

Michael Causton

Citic Limited - A Deeply Discounted Conglomerate in the Hang Seng Index

​Citic Ltd (267 HK) is an undervalued conglomerate in the Hang Seng Index, offering a good dividend and potential for institutional inflows.

Rikki Malik

Risks Ahead for Japanese Trading Companies. Marubeni, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Mitsubishi

The investment thesis is starting to work as the reasoning behind the trade is playing out as the Japanese Yen strengthens.

Rikki Malik

MitCorp (8058 JP) Earnings and Buyback - Shareholder Structure Matters

MitCorp announced good earnings, a lower FY23 forecast (expected as commodity-related over-profitability falls back), and a large buyback. It is...

Travis Lundy

More Profit for Donki as It Expands Private Label, Even Freezers

Pan Pacific's Don Quijote chain managed to improve same-store sales in the past year despite previously relying on inbound tourists for 10% of...

Michael Causton

Don Quijote's acquisition of Uny has led to a resurgence in the retailer's success through innovative merchandising and empowering staff with...

Citic Ltd (267 HK) is an undervalued conglomerate in the Hang Seng Index, offering a good dividend and potential for institutional inflows.