Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

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 Bottom-Up

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd. operates information providing services in human resource, housing, bridal, travel, restaurants, beauty, automobiles, and education and more. The company also operate staffing services and advertising business.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/recruit-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15070:1" rel="noopener">Recruit Holdings (6098 JP)</a> reported 4Q and full-year FY03/2024 results today. Earnings beat own guidance as well as consensus estimates.</li>
<li>Weakening labour markets have negatively impacted all business segments and new pricing model for Indeed has not really been successful.</li>
<li>Recruit expects a recovery in 2HFY03/2025, but at the rate at which job openings are going down, we remain cautious.</li>
</ul>



Recruit Holdings (6098 JP) reported 4Q and full-year FY03/2024 results today. Earnings beat own guidance as well as consensus estimates.
Weakening labour markets have negatively impacted all business segments and new pricing model for Indeed has not really been successful.
Recruit expects a recovery in 2HFY03/2025, but at the rate at which job openings are going down, we remain cautious.


Recruit: As We Said… Weakening Earnings

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Bottom-Up

Alibaba Group Holding Limited provides online sales services. The Company provides internet infrastructure, electronic commerce, online financial, and internet content services through its subsidiaries. Alibaba Group Holding offers its products and services worldwide.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group Holding (BABA US)</a>'s FQ4 announcement portrays a resilient comeback to growth, suggesting the past four years' challenges barely impacted its dominance in Chinese e-commerce.</li>
<li>However, a closer look beyond the surface of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd-d7b798e2-202d-4e01-9a1e-799e2ae8f0c7" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK)</a>'s FQ4 results announcement reveals that little has actually changed in recent months.</li>
<li>Taobao and Tmall face challenges in a tough, stagnant market; AIDC's growth largely covers for other Alibaba units' failings, while AliExpress's expansion cuts into margins.</li>
</ul>



Alibaba Group Holding (BABA US)'s FQ4 announcement portrays a resilient comeback to growth, suggesting the past four years' challenges barely impacted its dominance in Chinese e-commerce.
However, a closer look beyond the surface of Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK)'s FQ4 results announcement reveals that little has actually changed in recent months.
Taobao and Tmall face challenges in a tough, stagnant market; AIDC's growth largely covers for other Alibaba units' failings, while AliExpress's expansion cuts into margins.


Tencent Holdings Limited operates as an investment holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides Internet and mobile value-added services (VAS), online advertising, and e-commerce transactions. Tencent Holdings offers services to users worldwide.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> reported 1Q2024 results today. Both revenues and OP grew 6.3% and 30.0% YoY respectively and beat consensus estimates.</li>
<li>Though domestic games revenues declined YoY, there were signs of recovery in Tencent’s gaming business. Online advertising saw strong growth despite 1Q being a seasonally weak quarter for Tencent.</li>
<li>Tencent’s investments in high-margin products have helped boost the company’s margins across all business segments.</li>
</ul>



Tencent (700 HK) reported 1Q2024 results today. Both revenues and OP grew 6.3% and 30.0% YoY respectively and beat consensus estimates.
Though domestic games revenues declined YoY, there were signs of recovery in Tencent’s gaming business. Online advertising saw strong growth despite 1Q being a seasonally weak quarter for Tencent.
Tencent’s investments in high-margin products have helped boost the company’s margins across all business segments.


Tencent: Online Advertising and High-Margin Businesses Support Earnings

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities

SCREEN Holdings Co Ltd.  manufactures and sell semiconductors, FPD devices, commercial printing and printed circuit boards(PCB). The company also provides additional services for its products.

<ul>
<li>FY Mar-24 results were ahead of guidance, but management's FY Mar-25 forecast has sales flat and profits down in the second half.</li>
<li>The shares have dropped back 24% from their all-time high, bringing the forward P/E ratio down to 22X.</li>
<li>China and foundry remain strong while North America and memory pick up. Guidance is probably conservative. Buy into the weakness.</li>
</ul>


FY Mar-24 results were ahead of guidance, but management's FY Mar-25 forecast has sales flat and profits down in the second half.
The shares have dropped back 24% from their all-time high, bringing the forward P/E ratio down to 22X.
China and foundry remain strong while North America and memory pick up. Guidance is probably conservative. Buy into the weakness.


Screen Holdings (7735 JP): Guiding for Lower Profits in H2

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries / Equity Bottom-Up

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. is a comprehensive heavy machinery maker. The Company manufactures machinery, ships, turbines and engines, prime movers, aircrafts, and machine parts for military and commercial use.  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries also researches and develops nuclear power plants.

<ul>
<li>MHI was sold off last week as FY Mar-24 operating profit fell short of guidance and management guided for a decline in new orders this fiscal year.</li>
<li>Orders momentum has peaked. Sales and profits will follow. But the latter are still rising and guidance could once again be conservative.</li>
<li>Consolidation of the share price is likely to continue until orders and profit trends are confirmed.</li>
</ul>


MHI was sold off last week as FY Mar-24 operating profit fell short of guidance and management guided for a decline in new orders this fiscal year.
Orders momentum has peaked. Sales and profits will follow. But the latter are still rising and guidance could once again be conservative.
Consolidation of the share price is likely to continue until orders and profit trends are confirmed.


Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011 JP): Orders Momentum Has Peaked

LightStream Research
Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

Recruit: As We Said… Weakening Earnings

Recruit's earnings beat consensus, but all three segments are expected to see further slowdown with weakening labor markets. As expected new...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Alibaba: Our Take on 4QFY24

Taobao and Tmall face challenges in a tough, stagnant market; AIDC's growth largely covers for other Alibaba units' failings, while AliExpress's...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Tencent: Online Advertising and High-Margin Businesses Support Earnings

Tencent's 1Q earnings beat consensus. Though online games declined there were signs of recovery. Online ad saw strong growth despite 1Q being...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Screen Holdings (7735 JP): Guiding for Lower Profits in H2

Share price down 24% from March high. Guiding for YoY profit decline in H2 of this FY, but probably conservative due to strong AI related foundry...

Scott Foster

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011 JP): Orders Momentum Has Peaked

Operating profit below guidance and anticipated decline in new orders point to continued consolidation of the share price. Japan's defense build-up...

Scott Foster

Recruit: As We Said… Weakening Earnings

​Recruit's earnings beat consensus, but all three segments are expected to see further slowdown with weakening labor markets. As expected new...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Alibaba: Our Take on 4QFY24

Taobao and Tmall face challenges in a tough, stagnant market; AIDC's growth largely covers for other Alibaba units' failings, while AliExpress's...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Tencent: Online Advertising and High-Margin Businesses Support Earnings

Tencent's 1Q earnings beat consensus. Though online games declined there were signs of recovery. Online ad saw strong growth despite 1Q being...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Screen Holdings (7735 JP): Guiding for Lower Profits in H2

Share price down 24% from March high. Guiding for YoY profit decline in H2 of this FY, but probably conservative due to strong AI related foundry...

Scott Foster

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011 JP): Orders Momentum Has Peaked

Operating profit below guidance and anticipated decline in new orders point to continued consolidation of the share price. Japan's defense build-up...

Scott Foster

Recruit's earnings beat consensus, but all three segments are expected to see further slowdown with weakening labor markets. As expected new...