Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> investors are in a conundrum. The stock is doing well. With one quarter to go, the company just raised its full-year EPS target by 8.3%.</li>
<li>It also raised its H2 dividend by 20+% so the full-year div will be more than 20% higher than previously forecast and up 35+% since last year. All good. </li>
<li>Except for the selling. Potentially lots of selling. And more outperformance begets more selling. Then even more selling in 2024. And 2025? What about 2025? More outperformance begets more selling.</li>
</ul>



Fast Retailing (9983 JP) investors are in a conundrum. The stock is doing well. With one quarter to go, the company just raised its full-year EPS target by 8.3%.
It also raised its H2 dividend by 20+% so the full-year div will be more than 20% higher than previously forecast and up 35+% since last year. All good. 
Except for the selling. Potentially lots of selling. And more outperformance begets more selling. Then even more selling in 2024. And 2025? What about 2025? More outperformance begets more selling.


Fast Retailing UPs Forecasts, Which Creates A Sell/Short Opportunity

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.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$1.3bn via selling around 11% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16287:1" rel="noopener">ASICS Corp (7936 JP).</a>
</li>
<li>In our earlier note, we talked about the placement and ran the deal through our ECM framework.</li>
<li>In this note, we talk about the updates and share price performance since then.</li>
</ul>


A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$1.3bn via selling around 11% of ASICS Corp (7936 JP).

In our earlier note, we talked about the placement and ran the deal through our ECM framework.
In this note, we talk about the updates and share price performance since then.


ASICS Placement Updates - Share Pop Done, Now Needs to Correct

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Fast Retail missed analyst estimates for Q2 sales and operating profit. Revenue growth slowed to 5% YoY</li>
<li>Full year operating profit guidance maintained at Y450 billion, just slightly below the street </li>
<li>The stock is trading at 27x EV/EBIT, in-line with historical averages, but still expensive in absolute terms and versus global peers</li>
</ul>


Fast Retail missed analyst estimates for Q2 sales and operating profit. Revenue growth slowed to 5% YoY
Full year operating profit guidance maintained at Y450 billion, just slightly below the street 
The stock is trading at 27x EV/EBIT, in-line with historical averages, but still expensive in absolute terms and versus global peers


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.

<ul>
<li>While domestic revenues may have slowed, Uniqlo's domestic OP shows upside potential driven by upside to GM and a gradual reduction in SG&amp;A expenditure.</li>
<li>Simultaneously, Uniqlo International is exhibiting strong performance, with anticipated revenue and OP growth of 21% and 30% YoY respectively.</li>
<li>Despite expecting a strong earnings beat, concerns over high valuations and index issues make us cautious about trading <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> in the current earnings cycle.</li>
</ul>


While domestic revenues may have slowed, Uniqlo's domestic OP shows upside potential driven by upside to GM and a gradual reduction in SG&amp;A expenditure.
Simultaneously, Uniqlo International is exhibiting strong performance, with anticipated revenue and OP growth of 21% and 30% YoY respectively.
Despite expecting a strong earnings beat, concerns over high valuations and index issues make us cautious about trading Fast Retailing (9983 JP) in the current earnings cycle.


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> is the largest weight in the Nikkei 225. On Friday, it closed at 11.36% of the Nikkei 225, putting it well above the 10% cap level.</li>
<li>If the stock is above 10% on a pro-forma basis on the base date of 31 July 2024, it will get a capping coefficient. 8.4mm shares (US$2.5bn) to sell.</li>
<li>At Friday's close, we were borderline above a <em>double</em>-downweight trigger. At Monday's open, just below. 30mins later? Back well above. Lots of interesting issues and nuances here for a short.</li>
</ul>



Fast Retailing (9983 JP) is the largest weight in the Nikkei 225. On Friday, it closed at 11.36% of the Nikkei 225, putting it well above the 10% cap level.
If the stock is above 10% on a pro-forma basis on the base date of 31 July 2024, it will get a capping coefficient. 8.4mm shares (US$2.5bn) to sell.
At Friday's close, we were borderline above a double-downweight trigger. At Monday's open, just below. 30mins later? Back well above. Lots of interesting issues and nuances here for a short.


Fast Retailing (9983) - Now At Double Downweight Levels

Japan

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd., is based in Hokkaido and operates a furniture retail chain.  The Company sells living room furniture, storage furniture, dining furniture, office furniture, beds, and interior goods.  Nitori Holdings also sells original brand merchandise and imported merchandise.

ABC-MART, INC. plans, develops, wholesales, and retails shoes.  The Company also plans and develops brand name shoes such as VANS and G.T. HAWKINS.  ABC-Mart imports and wholesales shoes, apparel, bags, and sundries as well.

HIKARI TSUSHIN, INC. is a mobile telecommunication service subscription agency. The Company also operates telecommunication services stores, HIT SHOP, which sell cellular telephones, and related goods.  Hikari Tsushin also sells office automation equipment and insurance.

Sanrio Company, Ltd. manufactures and sells character goods including gift merchandise, greeting cards, and stationery products.  The Company also produces books, magazines, and movies, and though its subsidiary, operates restaurants and amusement parks.

USS CO LTD manages used car auction facilities throughout  Japan. The Company al so conducts auto auctions through satellites, and provides used car information through internet.

SHIMAMURA CO., Ltd. operates chain stores selling mainly clothing for men, women, children, and also bedding and furnishing goods.  The Company has stores in mainly suburb areas throughout Japan.

YAMADA DENKI CO., LTD. operates consumer electronic mass sales stores throughout Japan.  The Company sells home appliances, audio & visual systems, office automation equipment, telecommunication equipment, software, and computers. The Company also provides repair services for its merchandises.

WORKMAN CO., LTD. designs, produces, and retails work uniforms and related goods including work gloves and safety shoes.  The Company operates its own stores and franchise stores located throughout eastern Japan.

BIC CAMERA INC. operates electronic retail stores throughout Japan focusing on the Tokyo metropolitan area.  The Company sells audio and video equipments, electrical home appliances and telecommunication equipments.  Bic Camera also runs an Internet shopping site.

K'S HOLDINGS CORPORATION, based in Ibaraki prefecture, operates large scale electrical appliance store chain.  Franchise stores operates throughout Japan. The Company sells a variety of electrical appliances including refrigerators, washing machines, cooking appliances, computers, audio & visual systems, and air conditioners.

Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. operates as a sporting goods retailer that manages stores primarily in the eastern and central United States. The Company owns stores that offers a broad selection of brand name sporting goods equipment, apparel, and footwear.

Burlington Stores, Inc. owns and operates clothing retail stores. The Company offers, through its stores and internet sites, men's, women's, and children's apparel. Burlington Holding operates within the United States and Puerto Rico.

Tractor Supply Company operates a retail farm store chain in the United States. The Company provides farm maintenance products, animal products, general maintenance products, lawn and garden products, light truck equipment, work clothing, and other products.  Customers include hobby, part-time, and full-time farmers and ranchers, as well as rural customers, contractors, and tradesman.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a home improvement retailer that distributes building materials and supplies through stores in the United States. The Company offers a complete line of products and services for home decorating, maintenance, repair, remodeling, and property maintenance.

Murphy USA Inc. produces and distributes petroleum products. The Company engages in refining, marketing, and transportation of oil and gas products. Murphy USA provides products and services worldwide.

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. retails and supplies automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories.  The Company sells its products to do-it-yourself customers and professional mechanics or service technicians. O'Reilly operates stores throughout the United States.

Ulta Beauty, Inc. operates a chain of beauty stores. The Company offers cosmetics, fragrance, skin, and hair care products, as well as salon services. Ulta Beauty serves customers throughout the United States.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. retails cooking and serving equipment, home furnishings, and home accessories through retail stores, mail order catalogs and e-commerce. The Company offers its merchandise under the Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, and West Elm.

Hotai Motor Company Ltd. operates as an automobile dealership. The Company sells and services new and used cars and trucks in Taiwan.

GameStop Corporation operates specialty electronic game and PC entertainment software stores throughout the United States, Australia, Canada and Europe. The Company stores sell new and used video game hardware, video game software and accessories, as well as PC entertainment software, and related accessories and other merchandise.

FAST RETAILING CO., LTD. operates a chain of clothing stores, UNIQLO, throughout Japan and in other markets overseas including UK, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, US, France, Singapore and Russia.  The Company designs, manufactures, and retails its own line of casual clothing.

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Fast Retailing (9983 JP)

Fast Retailing UPs Forecasts, Which Creates A Sell/Short Opportunity

Fast Retailing announced decent earnings for Q3 and upgraded forecasts for August 2023. It also raised its full-year dividend vs previous guidance....

Travis Lundy

Fast Retailing(9983) | Not So Fast

Fast Retailer's Q2 sales and operating profit fell short of analyst estimates, with revenue growth slowing to 5% YoY. The stock is trading at a...

Mark Chadwick

Fast Retailing: Earnings Preview

Despite expecting a strong earnings beat, concerns over high valuations and index issues make us cautious about trading Fast Retailing in the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Fast Retailing (9983) - Now At Double Downweight Levels

Now clearly into double-sell territory but nota bene: A double sell only works for the first couple of %, then we're back into single-sell...

Travis Lundy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Fast Retailing UPs Forecasts, Which Creates A Sell/Short Opportunity

Fast Retailing announced decent earnings for Q3 and upgraded forecasts for August 2023. It also raised its full-year dividend vs previous guidance....

Travis Lundy

ASICS Placement Updates - Share Pop Done, Now Needs to Correct

A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$1.3bn via selling around 11% of ASICS Corp (7936 JP). We have looked at the deal dyanmics in our...

Sumeet Singh

Fast Retailing(9983) | Not So Fast

​Fast Retailer's Q2 sales and operating profit fell short of analyst estimates, with revenue growth slowing to 5% YoY. The stock is trading at a...

Mark Chadwick

Fast Retailing: Earnings Preview

Despite expecting a strong earnings beat, concerns over high valuations and index issues make us cautious about trading Fast Retailing in the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Fast Retailing (9983) - Now At Double Downweight Levels

Now clearly into double-sell territory but nota bene: A double sell only works for the first couple of %, then we're back into single-sell...

Travis Lundy

Fast Retailer's Q2 sales and operating profit fell short of analyst estimates, with revenue growth slowing to 5% YoY. The stock is trading at a...