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. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The latest commercial census published this Spring shows that Japan's wholesale sector remains more dominant than in many other major economies, partly explaining the low margins in some retail sectors.</li>
<li>Wholesale sales fell 8% between 2016 and 2021, but were still 10% higher than in 2012 due to survey changes over the previous decade.</li>
<li>Consolidation of wholesaling into the hands of larger corporations, with correspondingly higher power within the supply chain, is increasing and opportunities for M&amp;A and margin growth are significant.</li>
</ul>


The latest commercial census published this Spring shows that Japan's wholesale sector remains more dominant than in many other major economies, partly explaining the low margins in some retail sectors.
Wholesale sales fell 8% between 2016 and 2021, but were still 10% higher than in 2012 due to survey changes over the previous decade.
Consolidation of wholesaling into the hands of larger corporations, with correspondingly higher power within the supply chain, is increasing and opportunities for M&amp;A and margin growth are significant.


Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/medipal-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18394:1" rel="noopener">Medipal Holdings (7459 JP)</a> announced strong FY23 result, with year-over-year improvement in sales and profit. While sales were just 1% ahead of forecast, net profit exceeded the guidance by 16%.</li>
<li>Outperformance was mainly driven by PALTAC business. Revenue from PALTAC increased 6% YoY to ¥1,104B, 2% ahead of forecast of ¥1,080B, fueled by 14% growth in OTC pharmaceutical products.</li>
<li>Medipal has guided for accelerated revenue growth of 3% YoY for its pharmaceutical wholesale business in FY24. In FY23, the business recorded revenue growth of 0.6% YoY.</li>
</ul>



Medipal Holdings (7459 JP) announced strong FY23 result, with year-over-year improvement in sales and profit. While sales were just 1% ahead of forecast, net profit exceeded the guidance by 16%.
Outperformance was mainly driven by PALTAC business. Revenue from PALTAC increased 6% YoY to ¥1,104B, 2% ahead of forecast of ¥1,080B, fueled by 14% growth in OTC pharmaceutical products.
Medipal has guided for accelerated revenue growth of 3% YoY for its pharmaceutical wholesale business in FY24. In FY23, the business recorded revenue growth of 0.6% YoY.


Medipal Holdings (7459 JP): Better-Than-Expected FY23 Result; Accelerated Growth Expected in FY24

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Born of a merger between two not-very-well-known businesses 20 years ago, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alfresa-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10610:1" rel="noopener">Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP)</a> is still not very well known. It is in a boring, low-margin business. </li>
<li>The highest EBIT margin in the past two decades was.... 1.8%. ROE was in the 8-10% range for 2016-2020 but has since fallen below, as PBR has fallen below 1.0x.</li>
<li>Today, we got an <em>amended</em> Mid-Term Management Plan, a new dividend policy, and buyback of 10% of shares out based on last price. It's worth looking in the details.</li>
</ul>


Born of a merger between two not-very-well-known businesses 20 years ago, Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP) is still not very well known. It is in a boring, low-margin business. 
The highest EBIT margin in the past two decades was.... 1.8%. ROE was in the 8-10% range for 2016-2020 but has since fallen below, as PBR has fallen below 1.0x.
Today, we got an amended Mid-Term Management Plan, a new dividend policy, and buyback of 10% of shares out based on last price. It's worth looking in the details.


JAPAN BUYBACKS - Alfresa (2784) Cheap Stock, Uncheapening, Goes Big

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alfresa-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10610:1" rel="noopener">Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP)</a> revised its consolidated performance forecast for FY23. Revenue, operating profit, and net profit forecast have been raised by 3%, 2%, and 21%, respectively.</li>
<li>This is attributed to greater-than-expected growth in ethical pharmaceuticals market and the company’s recovery from the bidding nomination suspension from medical institutions stemming from a violation of the Antimonopoly Act.</li>
<li>In March 2023, Alfresa received a cease and desist order and a surcharge payment order from the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in relation to violation of the Antimonopoly Act.</li>
</ul>



Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP) revised its consolidated performance forecast for FY23. Revenue, operating profit, and net profit forecast have been raised by 3%, 2%, and 21%, respectively.
This is attributed to greater-than-expected growth in ethical pharmaceuticals market and the company’s recovery from the bidding nomination suspension from medical institutions stemming from a violation of the Antimonopoly Act.
In March 2023, Alfresa received a cease and desist order and a surcharge payment order from the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in relation to violation of the Antimonopoly Act.


Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP): FY23 Result Is Expected to Exceed Previous Forecast

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alfresa-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10610:1" rel="noopener">Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP)</a> reported better-than-expected H1FY23 results, with sales growth of 3% to ¥1,332 billion, 2% ahead of guidance of ¥1,304 billion, mainly driven by pharmaceutical wholesaling business.</li>
<li>With a revenue growth of 4.3% y/y, pharmaceutical wholesaling business outpaced the broad market growth of 2.7% and improved its market share to 23.3% at the end of H1FY23.</li>
<li>The company has announced an interim dividend of ¥28 per share. Despite reporting encouraging H1FY23 performance, Alfresa has reiterated its FY23 guidance, implying accelerated growth in H2FY23.</li>
</ul>



Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP) reported better-than-expected H1FY23 results, with sales growth of 3% to ¥1,332 billion, 2% ahead of guidance of ¥1,304 billion, mainly driven by pharmaceutical wholesaling business.
With a revenue growth of 4.3% y/y, pharmaceutical wholesaling business outpaced the broad market growth of 2.7% and improved its market share to 23.3% at the end of H1FY23.
The company has announced an interim dividend of ¥28 per share. Despite reporting encouraging H1FY23 performance, Alfresa has reiterated its FY23 guidance, implying accelerated growth in H2FY23.


Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP): H1FY23 Review- Better-Than-Expected Performance; Outlook Is Positive

Japan

MEDIPAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION manufactures and sells medical tools and equipment, nursing equipment, and wholesales pharmaceuticals.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Medipal Holdings (7459 JP)

The State of Wholesaling in Japan

Getting a clear overview of Japan's wholesale industry is hard but every five years, Japan does a commercial census. The latest is just out, and we...

Michael Causton