Global Materials | Industrials | Commodities

Rahul Jain

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>IPO catalyst already priced in – Tekscend Photomask IPO (¥300 bn base case) crystallizes hidden value, but with TOPPAN at ~¥3,900, the upside to bull case (~¥4,100) is limited.</li>
<li>Core execution the swing factor – Information &amp; Communication (~54% sales) and BPO/Digital DX must expand margins (target 10% by FY2030 vs. ~5% today) for further re-rating.</li>
<li>Balanced risk–reward – Strong balance sheet and shareholder returns (2.5% equity cancelled FY25) support valuation, but high capex and legacy print drag keep FCF and ROE volatile.</li>
</ul>


IPO catalyst already priced in – Tekscend Photomask IPO (¥300 bn base case) crystallizes hidden value, but with TOPPAN at ~¥3,900, the upside to bull case (~¥4,100) is limited.
Core execution the swing factor – Information &amp; Communication (~54% sales) and BPO/Digital DX must expand margins (target 10% by FY2030 vs. ~5% today) for further re-rating.
Balanced risk–reward – Strong balance sheet and shareholder returns (2.5% equity cancelled FY25) support valuation, but high capex and legacy print drag keep FCF and ROE volatile.


TOPPAN Holdings – IPO Premium Priced In, Core Execution the Next Test

Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Pure Storage surging 32% showcasing the growth potential for NAND as a viable and cost effective storage medium for AI/enterprise use. Watch Kioxia.</li>
<li>HP up but its printing business not so good -however this could be a 'bad is good' scenario for Japan's desperately in need of consolidation printer industry.</li>
<li>Marvell getting hit hard after-hours may see ASIC related Socionext trade lower.</li>
</ul>


Pure Storage surging 32% showcasing the growth potential for NAND as a viable and cost effective storage medium for AI/enterprise use. Watch Kioxia.
HP up but its printing business not so good -however this could be a 'bad is good' scenario for Japan's desperately in need of consolidation printer industry.
Marvell getting hit hard after-hours may see ASIC related Socionext trade lower.


Japan Morning Connection: Tech Shakes off Initial Weakness with Talks of Blackwell Sales to China

<ul>
<li>Lacklustre numbers for both Dell and HP show tapering demand for PC's.</li>
<li>Keisei Electric Rail snubbing Murakami with another 1% Oriental Land sale?</li>
<li>Nikon analysts meeting does little to clarify the intentions of EssilorLuxottic's 8.45% stake.</li>
</ul>


Lacklustre numbers for both Dell and HP show tapering demand for PC's.
Keisei Electric Rail snubbing Murakami with another 1% Oriental Land sale?
Nikon analysts meeting does little to clarify the intentions of EssilorLuxottic's 8.45% stake.


Japan Morning Connection: AI Edge Computing Is Failing to Drive PC Demand

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei 225 index dropped by 2.7% this week, closing at 37,913 points, due to political uncertainty ahead of Japan's general election, rising global bond yields, and disappointing economic data</li>
<li>Japan's weakening services and manufacturing sectors, as indicated by declining PMIs and easing inflation, highlight slowing domestic demand and economic uncertainty, raising concerns about future growth prospects.</li>
<li>Konica Minolta (4902): Gained 25% after activist investor, Effissimo Capital, declared a significant 5.8% stake in the company.</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei 225 index dropped by 2.7% this week, closing at 37,913 points, due to political uncertainty ahead of Japan's general election, rising global bond yields, and disappointing economic data
Japan's weakening services and manufacturing sectors, as indicated by declining PMIs and easing inflation, highlight slowing domestic demand and economic uncertainty, raising concerns about future growth prospects.
Konica Minolta (4902): Gained 25% after activist investor, Effissimo Capital, declared a significant 5.8% stake in the company.


Japan Weekly | Nikkei Drops; Political Uncertainty; Weakening Economy

<ul>
<li>Konica Minolta, a key player in the Japanese office equipment market, presents an attractive investment opportunity, particularly in light of the recent actions by activist investor Effissimo.</li>
<li>The investment case for Konica Minolta hinges on several factors, including potential structural reforms, M&amp;A activity, and undervaluation.</li>
<li>Given Effissimo's track record with Ricoh and the broader industry dynamics, the thesis for a bullish outlook on Konica Minolta is compelling.</li>
</ul>


Konica Minolta, a key player in the Japanese office equipment market, presents an attractive investment opportunity, particularly in light of the recent actions by activist investor Effissimo.
The investment case for Konica Minolta hinges on several factors, including potential structural reforms, M&amp;A activity, and undervaluation.
Given Effissimo's track record with Ricoh and the broader industry dynamics, the thesis for a bullish outlook on Konica Minolta is compelling.


Japan Value | Effissimo Takes Significant Stake in Konica

Japan

Konica Minolta Inc is mainly engaged in manufacturing office equipment and performance materials. It also operates health care businesses. The Company also makes copiers, personal computer peripherals, optical lenses, and measuring instruments.

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Konica Minolta (4902 JP)

TOPPAN Holdings – IPO Premium Priced In, Core Execution the Next Test

Tekscend Photomask IPO priced in, limited upside with TOPPAN at ¥3,900. Core execution key for margin expansion. Balanced risk-reward with strong...

Rahul Jain

Japan Morning Connection: Tech Shakes off Initial Weakness with Talks of Blackwell Sales to China

Memory plays continue to trade well with strong growth outlook for NAND memory, watch Kioxia as a squeeze candidate. Dell down with numbers showing...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Morning Connection: AI Edge Computing Is Failing to Drive PC Demand

PC demand is slowing as Dell and HP report lacklustre numbers, Keisei Electric Rail sells more Oriental Land shares, and Nikon's meeting leaves...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Weekly | Nikkei Drops; Political Uncertainty; Weakening Economy

Nikkei 225 falls 2.7% on political uncertainty, global bond yields, and weak economic data; Konica Minolta gains 25% after activist investor...

Mark Chadwick

Japan Value | Effissimo Takes Significant Stake in Konica

Activist investor Effissimo's involvement in Konica Minolta presents an investment opportunity due to potential reforms, M&A activity, and...

Mark Chadwick

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

TOPPAN Holdings – IPO Premium Priced In, Core Execution the Next Test

​Tekscend Photomask IPO priced in, limited upside with TOPPAN at ¥3,900. Core execution key for margin expansion. Balanced risk-reward with strong...

Rahul Jain

Japan Morning Connection: Tech Shakes off Initial Weakness with Talks of Blackwell Sales to China

Memory plays continue to trade well with strong growth outlook for NAND memory, watch Kioxia as a squeeze candidate. Dell down with numbers showing...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Morning Connection: AI Edge Computing Is Failing to Drive PC Demand

​PC demand is slowing as Dell and HP report lacklustre numbers, Keisei Electric Rail sells more Oriental Land shares, and Nikon's meeting leaves...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Weekly | Nikkei Drops; Political Uncertainty; Weakening Economy

​Nikkei 225 falls 2.7% on political uncertainty, global bond yields, and weak economic data; Konica Minolta gains 25% after activist investor...

Mark Chadwick

Japan Value | Effissimo Takes Significant Stake in Konica

​Activist investor Effissimo's involvement in Konica Minolta presents an investment opportunity due to potential reforms, M&A activity, and...

Mark Chadwick

Tekscend Photomask IPO priced in, limited upside with TOPPAN at ¥3,900. Core execution key for margin expansion. Balanced risk-reward with strong...

PC demand is slowing as Dell and HP report lacklustre numbers, Keisei Electric Rail sells more Oriental Land shares, and Nikon's meeting leaves...

Nikkei 225 falls 2.7% on political uncertainty, global bond yields, and weak economic data; Konica Minolta gains 25% after activist investor...

Activist investor Effissimo's involvement in Konica Minolta presents an investment opportunity due to potential reforms, M&A activity, and...