Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
Record Margins: Q2 OP surged 82% YoY to ¥7.1b, with Japan profitability up and losses narrowing in Fintech and the US.</li>
<li>
US Breakeven Play: Aggressive cost-cutting led to 12ppt margin improvement; if growth stalls, a sale or exit could boost margins by 200bps.</li>
<li>
Fintech Upside: Losses peaked last year, with 16ppt OPM improvement; breaking even could add 400bps to group margins.</li>
</ul>



Record Margins: Q2 OP surged 82% YoY to ¥7.1b, with Japan profitability up and losses narrowing in Fintech and the US.

US Breakeven Play: Aggressive cost-cutting led to 12ppt margin improvement; if growth stalls, a sale or exit could boost margins by 200bps.

Fintech Upside: Losses peaked last year, with 16ppt OPM improvement; breaking even could add 400bps to group margins.


Mercari (4385) | Profitability on the Rise with More Levers to Pull

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, 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.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/timee-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43690:1" rel="noopener">Timee Inc (215A JP)</a> ’s share price has been volatile during the last few months despite the company reporting a strong set of results for 1QFY10/2025. </li>
<li>Timee is the market leader in Japan while Mercari Hallo is still attempting to build its business. Our analysis shows that there is further room for Timee’s earnings to expand. </li>
<li>Some of Japanese high-growth companies (incl. Monotaro, GMO Payment and Shift) have traded at exorbitant multiples during their high growth phase and we think Timee’s valuation multiples are justified.</li>
</ul>



Timee Inc (215A JP) ’s share price has been volatile during the last few months despite the company reporting a strong set of results for 1QFY10/2025. 
Timee is the market leader in Japan while Mercari Hallo is still attempting to build its business. Our analysis shows that there is further room for Timee’s earnings to expand. 
Some of Japanese high-growth companies (incl. Monotaro, GMO Payment and Shift) have traded at exorbitant multiples during their high growth phase and we think Timee’s valuation multiples are justified.


Timee: Recent Setback in Share Price Offers an Attractive Entry Point

<ul>
<li>Q4 results were a mixed bag with GMV growth slowing to just 6%. However, costs came in better than expected, boosting margins</li>
<li>Management surprise the market with bullish FY6/25 guidance. Expects GMV growth to accelerate to +10% and sees OP at a healthy 22-25 billion yen</li>
<li>Activist investor Oasis has taken a stake in the company. There is an obvious restructuring angle in addition to significant upside from fintech expansion </li>
</ul>


Q4 results were a mixed bag with GMV growth slowing to just 6%. However, costs came in better than expected, boosting margins
Management surprise the market with bullish FY6/25 guidance. Expects GMV growth to accelerate to +10% and sees OP at a healthy 22-25 billion yen
Activist investor Oasis has taken a stake in the company. There is an obvious restructuring angle in addition to significant upside from fintech expansion 


<ul>
<li>Mercari Q1 FY25: Stock Down 16%; Revenues up +2% y/y, but core OP down -13% y/y</li>
<li>This quarter was a rough one for Mercari’s core Marketplace business. GMV growth slowed to mid-single digits</li>
<li>Fintech segment continues to power ahead. Revenue here jumped +37%, fueled by more customers and higher credit balances.</li>
</ul>


Mercari Q1 FY25: Stock Down 16%; Revenues up +2% y/y, but core OP down -13% y/y
This quarter was a rough one for Mercari’s core Marketplace business. GMV growth slowed to mid-single digits
Fintech segment continues to power ahead. Revenue here jumped +37%, fueled by more customers and higher credit balances.


Mercari (4385) | Q1 FY25 Results: Stock Down 16%

External reports (aggregated public sources), Value Investors Club

Value Investors Club

External reports (aggregated public sources)

<ul><li>Mercari is a Japanese e-commerce company known for operating the leading online used goods marketplace in Japan with over 23 million monthly active users and significant annual GMV.</li><li>The company's strong network effects moat and growth prospects in Japan's second-hand goods market suggest substantial potential value, despite investor frustration with loss-making initiatives like Mercari US and its Fintech segment.</li><li>Analysts believe that Mercari Japan alone is worth nearly double the company's current market cap, highlighting potential for significant upside.</li></ul>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

Mercari is a Japanese e-commerce company known for operating the leading online used goods marketplace in Japan with over 23 million monthly active users and significant annual GMV.The company's strong network effects moat and growth prospects in Japan's second-hand goods market suggest substantial potential value, despite investor frustration with loss-making initiatives like Mercari US and its Fintech segment.Analysts believe that Mercari Japan alone is worth nearly double the company's current market cap, highlighting potential for significant upside.This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

Mercari, Inc. (4385) - Tuesday, Jul 9, 2024

Japan

Mercari, Inc. operates as an electronic commercial company. The Company offers electronic commercial software, operation management, marketing planning, and other marketplace services. Mercari serves customers worldwide.

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Mercari (4385 JP)

Mercari (4385) | Profitability on the Rise with More Levers to Pull

Q2 saw record margins with Japan profitability up and losses narrowing in Fintech and the US; A US exit could lead to further margin improvement,...

Mark Chadwick

Mercari (4385) | Activist to Add Urgency

Q4 results show slowing GMV growth but better costs, management bullish on FY6/25 guidance, activist investor sees restructuring and fintech upside.

Mark Chadwick

Mercari (4385) | Q1 FY25 Results: Stock Down 16%

Mercari's Q1 FY25 sees stock drop 16% as Marketplace business struggles with slowing growth, while Fintech segment thrives with 37% revenue increase.

Mark Chadwick

Mercari, Inc. (4385) - Tuesday, Jul 9, 2024

Mercari is a leading Japanese e-commerce company with a strong online used goods marketplace in Japan, but faces investor frustration due to loss...

Value Investors Club

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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Mercari (4385) | Profitability on the Rise with More Levers to Pull

​Q2 saw record margins with Japan profitability up and losses narrowing in Fintech and the US; A US exit could lead to further margin improvement,...

Mark Chadwick

Timee: Recent Setback in Share Price Offers an Attractive Entry Point

​Timee's share price has been volatile despite reporting strong earnings. As the market leader, Timee's earnings have further potential to expand....

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Mercari (4385) | Activist to Add Urgency

​Q4 results show slowing GMV growth but better costs, management bullish on FY6/25 guidance, activist investor sees restructuring and fintech upside.

Mark Chadwick

Mercari (4385) | Q1 FY25 Results: Stock Down 16%

​Mercari's Q1 FY25 sees stock drop 16% as Marketplace business struggles with slowing growth, while Fintech segment thrives with 37% revenue increase.

Mark Chadwick

Mercari, Inc. (4385) - Tuesday, Jul 9, 2024

Mercari is a leading Japanese e-commerce company with a strong online used goods marketplace in Japan, but faces investor frustration due to loss...

Value Investors Club

Q2 saw record margins with Japan profitability up and losses narrowing in Fintech and the US; A US exit could lead to further margin improvement,...

Timee's share price has been volatile despite reporting strong earnings. As the market leader, Timee's earnings have further potential to expand....

Q4 results show slowing GMV growth but better costs, management bullish on FY6/25 guidance, activist investor sees restructuring and fintech upside.

Mercari's Q1 FY25 sees stock drop 16% as Marketplace business struggles with slowing growth, while Fintech segment thrives with 37% revenue increase.