Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our 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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Last week, shareholders of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> rejected all four of the board nominees proposed by ValueAct.</li>
<li>ValueAct, seeing their higher vote count as a modest success, sent a letter to Seven &amp; I, requesting a resumption of discussions despite the failed attempt to remove senior leadership.</li>
<li>We think the company is unlikely to seriously consider Value Act's proposals any longer, indicating the end of the investor activism campaign.</li>
</ul>


Last week, shareholders of Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) rejected all four of the board nominees proposed by ValueAct.
ValueAct, seeing their higher vote count as a modest success, sent a letter to Seven &amp; I, requesting a resumption of discussions despite the failed attempt to remove senior leadership.
We think the company is unlikely to seriously consider Value Act's proposals any longer, indicating the end of the investor activism campaign.


Seven & I: ValueAct's Proposals Unlikely to Be Considered, Investor Activism Effectively Over

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<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

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. 

<ul>
<li>Last year saw the consolidation of several supermarket chains in Shikoku and Chugoku by Aeon, creating Japan’s largest supermarket group. </li>
<li>Now, Aeon has now announced that it will expand its existing stake in Inageya, rolling the company into USMH and creating another, even larger food operation and Japan's biggest yet.</li>
<li>Aeon is looking for dominance in Tokyo and may seek more acquisitions but rivals are unlikely to give it a free hand nor say no to acquisitions of their own.</li>
</ul>


Last year saw the consolidation of several supermarket chains in Shikoku and Chugoku by Aeon, creating Japan’s largest supermarket group. 
Now, Aeon has now announced that it will expand its existing stake in Inageya, rolling the company into USMH and creating another, even larger food operation and Japan's biggest yet.
Aeon is looking for dominance in Tokyo and may seek more acquisitions but rivals are unlikely to give it a free hand nor say no to acquisitions of their own.


Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Retail media in its traditional sense is nothing new, simply referring to the use of advertising in stores, but in modern terms retail media is something far, far bigger. </li>
<li>It is not only a trend in the US, but one that is about to explode in Japan – although in a very different format.</li>
<li>With purchase rates up two-fold in early experiments, the potential for brands advertising through retail stores will be significant with some estimates suggesting a ¥20 trillion market.</li>
</ul>


Retail media in its traditional sense is nothing new, simply referring to the use of advertising in stores, but in modern terms retail media is something far, far bigger. 
It is not only a trend in the US, but one that is about to explode in Japan – although in a very different format.
With purchase rates up two-fold in early experiments, the potential for brands advertising through retail stores will be significant with some estimates suggesting a ¥20 trillion market.


Retail Ads: A New Revenue Stream for Seven & I and Rival Convenience Stores

<ul>
<li>Seven &amp; I will have its entire 7-11 chain online by 2025 and could use the service to bind all its food retail assets into a more coherent whole. </li>
<li>Rivals are doing the same thing through Uber Eats and other services, but Seven thinks its proprietary system will provide a long term advantage, especially in ease of use.</li>
<li>While Q-commerce deliveries from CVS are growing, the inherent proximity of stores to homes suggests an online adjunct is sub-optimal – but will be ideal for Seven's "new" SIP format.</li>
</ul>


Seven &amp; I will have its entire 7-11 chain online by 2025 and could use the service to bind all its food retail assets into a more coherent whole. 
Rivals are doing the same thing through Uber Eats and other services, but Seven thinks its proprietary system will provide a long term advantage, especially in ease of use.
While Q-commerce deliveries from CVS are growing, the inherent proximity of stores to homes suggests an online adjunct is sub-optimal – but will be ideal for Seven's "new" SIP format.


Seven & I Finally Making E-Commerce Work? 7Now at 5,000 Stores and Perfect for SIP

Japan

LAWSON, INC. operates a chain of convenience stores in Japan. The Company sells a variety of products including fast food, beverages, snacks, magazines, newspapers, and sundry goods.

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Lawson Inc (2651 JP)

Seven & I: ValueAct's Proposals Unlikely to Be Considered, Investor Activism Effectively Over

ValueAct, despite failed leadership removal attempt, requests discussions, but Seven & I is unlikely to consider proposals further, suggesting the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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

Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase

Aeon will buy a majority stake in Inageya, consolidating its market share in the Tokyo region just as Seven & I has confirmed a focus on the Tokyo...

Michael Causton

Retail Ads: A New Revenue Stream for Seven & I and Rival Convenience Stores

Japanese convenience stores have reached stagnation so new sources of revenue to support same-store growth are key. And they may have found it:...

Michael Causton

Seven & I Finally Making E-Commerce Work? 7Now at 5,000 Stores and Perfect for SIP

Seven & I may finally have turned the corner and found an e-commerce solution that works. If it has, the potential to roll it out beyond just the...

Michael Causton

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