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.

Equity Capital Markets

Rakuten Securities / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Group (4755 JP)</a> announced last month that its consolidated subsidiary, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-securities-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:39933:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Securities (RAKUSEC JP)</a>, has applied for a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.</li>
<li>In the last eight quarters, the Securities business has experienced more than 100% profit growth, thanks to linear revenue growth while costs remained relatively stable.</li>
<li>The previous private market valuation of ¥400bn implies a PE ratio of 15.0x, assuming the company maintains its current 2Q23 profitability level.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Group (4755 JP) announced last month that its consolidated subsidiary, Rakuten Securities (RAKUSEC JP), has applied for a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
In the last eight quarters, the Securities business has experienced more than 100% profit growth, thanks to linear revenue growth while costs remained relatively stable.
The previous private market valuation of ¥400bn implies a PE ratio of 15.0x, assuming the company maintains its current 2Q23 profitability level.


Rakuten Securities IPO: Japan Optimism and Fractional Trading Boost Revenue Amid Stable Costs

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-securities-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:39933:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Securities (RAKUSEC JP)</a>, a leading Japanese online brokerage, seeks to raise US$500 million. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Group (4755 JP)</a> (80.01%) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mizuho-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:219:1" rel="noopener">Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP)</a> (19.99%) are its shareholders.  </li>
<li>In <strong><em><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/rakuten-securities-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:108460" rel="noopener">Rakuten Securities IPO: The Bull Case</a></em></strong>, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.</li>
<li>The key elements of the bear case rest on rapidly slowing operating revenue and commissions growth, lowest per-account monetisation rates vs peers and mid-tier profitability. </li>
</ul>



Rakuten Securities (RAKUSEC JP), a leading Japanese online brokerage, seeks to raise US$500 million. Rakuten Group (4755 JP) (80.01%) and Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP) (19.99%) are its shareholders.  
In Rakuten Securities IPO: The Bull Case, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.
The key elements of the bear case rest on rapidly slowing operating revenue and commissions growth, lowest per-account monetisation rates vs peers and mid-tier profitability. 


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-securities-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:39933:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Securities (RAKUSEC JP)</a>, a leading Japanese online brokerage, seeks to raise US$500 million. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35638:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Bank (5838 JP)</a> (80.01%) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mizuho-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:219:1" rel="noopener">Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP)</a> (19.99%) are its shareholders.   </li>
<li>Rakuten Securities has grown its business by pursuing a low-cost, high-volume strategy. It has the largest number of non-consolidated securities accounts among Japanese securities companies.</li>
<li>The key elements of the bull case rest on rapid customer growth, low-cost fees, market share gains, synergies with the Rakuten ecosystem and improving profitability trends.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Securities (RAKUSEC JP), a leading Japanese online brokerage, seeks to raise US$500 million. Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) (80.01%) and Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP) (19.99%) are its shareholders.   
Rakuten Securities has grown its business by pursuing a low-cost, high-volume strategy. It has the largest number of non-consolidated securities accounts among Japanese securities companies.
The key elements of the bull case rest on rapid customer growth, low-cost fees, market share gains, synergies with the Rakuten ecosystem and improving profitability trends.


Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-securities-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:39933:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Securities</a>, the online securities arm of Rakuten, aims to raise around US$500m (estimated) in its Japan listing.</li>
<li>It is the largest online securities firm in Japan with a 33.7% market share. In FY22, it had over 8.64m accounts, with around JPY18.2tn (US$131bn) of assets under custody.</li>
<li>In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Securities, the online securities arm of Rakuten, aims to raise around US$500m (estimated) in its Japan listing.
It is the largest online securities firm in Japan with a 33.7% market share. In FY22, it had over 8.64m accounts, with around JPY18.2tn (US$131bn) of assets under custody.
In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.


Rakuten Securities IPO Early Look - The Negatives - Growth Has Slowed Down

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-securities-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:39933:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Securities (RAKUSEC JP)</a>, the online securities arm of Rakuten, aims to raise around US$500m (estimated) in its Japan listing.</li>
<li>It is the largest online securities firm in Japan with a 33.7% market share. In FY22, it had over 8.64m accounts, with around JPY18.2tn (US$131bn) of assets under custody.</li>
<li>In this note, we talk about the positive aspects of the deal.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Securities (RAKUSEC JP), the online securities arm of Rakuten, aims to raise around US$500m (estimated) in its Japan listing.
It is the largest online securities firm in Japan with a 33.7% market share. In FY22, it had over 8.64m accounts, with around JPY18.2tn (US$131bn) of assets under custody.
In this note, we talk about the positive aspects of the deal.


Rakuten Securities IPO Early Look - The Positives - Has Been Gaining Market Share

Japan

Rakuten Securities Inc. operates as a financial firm offering various brokerage and securities services. The Company offers the purchase, sales, and brokerage of securities throughout the world.

Rakuten Securities (RAKUSEC JP)

Rakuten Securities IPO: Japan Optimism and Fractional Trading Boost Revenue Amid Stable Costs

Rakuten Securities, a subsidiary of Rakuten Group, has established itself as one of the leading online brokerages in Japan, known for offering the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Rakuten Securities IPO: The Bear Case

The key elements of the bear case rest on rapidly slowing operating revenue and commissions growth, lowest per-account monetisation rates vs peers...

Arun George

Rakuten Securities IPO: The Bull Case

The key elements of the bull case rest on rapid customer growth, low-cost fees, market share gains, synergies with the Rakuten ecosystem and...

Arun George

Rakuten Securities IPO Early Look - The Negatives - Growth Has Slowed Down

Rakuten Securities, the online securities arm of Rakuten, aims to raise around US$500m (estimated) in its Japan listing. In this note, we talk...

Sumeet Singh