Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

LightStream Research

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/m3-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13316:1" rel="noopener">M3 Inc (2413 JP)</a> reported 3QFY03/2023 earnings today. Revenue increased 12.6% YoY to JPY64.6bn (vs consensus JPY62.6bn) while OP decreased 3.0% YoY to JPY22.0bn (vs consensus JPY22.8bn).</li>
<li>In line with our expectation, m3 has mentioned that it expects pharma marketing revenues to slow down with pharmaceutical companies cutting down their budgets.</li>
<li>Though m3 has made a large no. of M&amp;A deals to pursue growth, we have not seen extraordinary growth in overseas biz and think there is significant downside risk.</li>
</ul>

M3, Inc. supplies medical information services for doctors through the Internet. The Company also supports marketing of pharmaceutical companies and medical equipment manufacturers.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeda-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11747:1" rel="noopener">Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)</a>  reported 3QFY03/2023 results today. Reported revenue increased 11.2% YoY to JPY1,096.6bn (vs consensus JPY996bn) while OP increased 26.2% YoY to JPY147bn (vs consensus JPY180.1).</li>
<li>The drop in OP vs consensus was mainly due to the depreciation of the Yen, nevertheless, OPM improved 30bps to 13.4% during the quarter.</li>
<li>Takeda has not revised full-year forecast, however, we think the company will easily beat its own guidance as it pushes forward with its development pipeline further aided by M&amp;A.</li>
</ul>

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd focuses on the Research & Development, Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing and Import/Export of Pharmaceutical Drugs. The Company focuses on the following core therapeutic areas: Cardiovascular & Metabolic, Oncology, Central Nervous System, Respiratory & Immunology, General Medicine (Gastrointestinal & Genitourinary) and Vaccine.

<ul>
<li>GoTo’s share price lost more than 75% last year following its weaker-than-expected performance and lock-up expiry despite the company entering into a coordinated secondary offering of shares with pre-IPO shareholders.</li>
<li>The company’s share price has moved up 24% YTD partially driven by cost cutting measures that is expected to improve the company’s profitability.</li>
<li>Nevertheless, we expect this share price rebound to be temporary with e-commerce and food delivery market in Indonesia slowing down.</li>
</ul>

PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk operates as an e-commerce platform. The Company offers mobility, food delivery, logistics, e-commerce, and financial technology solutions. GoTo Gojek Tokopedia serves customers in Indonesia.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nihon-m-a-center-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17616:1" rel="noopener">Nihon M&amp;A Center (2127 JP)</a> reported 3QFY03/2022 results. Revenue declined 9.9% YoY to JPY9.8bn (vs consensus JPY13.6bn) while OP dropped 21.9% YoY to JPY3.2bn (vs consensus JPY6.1bn).</li>
<li>Though there had been an increase in the no. of transactions completed during the quarter, revenue declined due to price pressures.</li>
<li>Share price has declined 22.8% during today’s trade due to weaker-than-expected earnings and we think full-year FY03/2022E guidance is too hard to achieve.</li>
</ul>

Nihon M&A Center Inc. provides M&A advisory services to small and medium-sized enterprises. The Company, established by certified public accountants and tax accountants, offers M&A related services such as reorganization and MBO (Management Buy-Out) as well.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cyberagent-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8197:1" rel="noopener">CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP)</a> reported 1QFY09/2023 results. Revenue declined 2.1% YoY to JPY167.6bn (vs consensus JPY176.1bn) while OP turned negative JPY1.25bn (vs consensus OP of JPY4.1bn.</li>
<li>CA’s largest investment to-date was for FIFA 2022 but top line growth has largely been in line with previous quarter. WAU have dropped to pre-FIFA levels.</li>
<li>Though AbemaTV’s monetisation strategy seems to work, the growth prospects for other two segments are concerning and likely to drag down the consolidated performance.</li>
</ul>

CyberAgent, Inc. operates blog media website, Ameba.  The Company also operates internet advertising agency, foreign exchange trading website, and creates PC and mobile contents such as advertisements and games. CyberAgent invests in companies with internet related business.

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.

A chartered management accountant with more than 10 years of rich experience in investment research and financial analysis. Worked as an equity analyst for one of the world's largest asset managers with USD2.5trn in AUM covering numerous sectors including chemicals, retail, tech, autos, telco, real-estate and banks, globally. Experienced in fundamental equity research, industry research, commodity studies, forensic accounting, and due diligence reviews.

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA
Equity Analyst
• LightStream Research

Summary

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMAEquity Analyst • LightStream Research

Summary

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA
Equity Analyst
• LightStream Research