'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

ja research

ja research is an independent research platform focused exclusively on Japanese equities. Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, we provide insights on small and medium-sized companies that have been ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on larger companies. We also offer analyst and corporate access, the latter with translation if required. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/086/610/original/2019-05-02_15-37-25.png?1556779059" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="86610"></figure>Source: Japan Analytics
</div><div class="content-caption">This update on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/8197" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8197:1">CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP)</a> should be read in conjunction with our earlier Insight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/cyberagent-tumbling-dice" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:27690">CyberAgent: Tumbling Dice</a>. </div>RECORD SALES - As the company never tires of pointing out, CyberAgent's revenues continue to grow apace. The interim quarter saw a record amount of revenue in any quarter of ¥117b, an increase of 7% year-on-year and a record amount for any trailing-twelve-month (TTM) period of ¥440b, 10% above the level reached in FY18-Q2. The IR materials describe this achievement as 'reaching cruising speed again', although from the TTM chart above it is hard to see when there was any deceleration. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/086/616/original/2019-05-02_15-56-10.png?1556780188" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="86616"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: CyberAgent</div><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/086/614/original/2019-05-02_15-35-10.png?1556779655" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="86614"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>DON'T LOOK ANY FURTHER - The further down the Income Statment one travels, the less appealing the picture. The company likes to present its profitability in terms of what it describes as 'existing business, excluding investment development'. The latter has produced over ¥20b in one-off gains over the last five years, which have helped offset nearly ¥62b in 'up-front investment in the AbemaTV business' which will presumably cease not to exist if and when it turns a profit. Even using CyberAgent's logic, the second quarter was the third straight quarter of declining year-on-year profitability. Shareholders meanwhile have to make do with what is generated at the true bottom-line of the Income Statement - Comprehensive Income which saw an increase of just ¥3.2b in the quarter, 24% of 'adjusted' profits.  CyberAgent's Shareholders' Equity (including Other Comprehensive Income) is ¥358m lower than at FY17-Q4 and has declined by 4% since peaking in FY18-Q3.  It is no surprise therefore that the company's PBR has declined by a third in less than a year, although it is still 39% above the FY17-Q4 low.  <div class="content-highlight">In the DETAIL section below, we shall cover the interim results in more detail and update the implied valuation for the AbemaTV business. In keeping with the previous report, we provide this brief musical interlude from M People in Berlin.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IwBCyvBMgjQ" width="1280" height="720" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>


Source: Japan Analytics
This update on CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP) should be read in conjunction with our earlier Insight CyberAgent: Tumbling Dice. RECORD SALES - As the company never tires of pointing out, CyberAgent's revenues continue to grow apace. The interim quarter saw a record amount of revenue in any quarter of ¥117b, an increase of 7% year-on-year and a record amount for any trailing-twelve-month (TTM) period of ¥440b, 10% above the level reached in FY18-Q2. The IR materials describe this achievement as 'reaching cruising speed again', although from the TTM chart above it is hard to see when there was any deceleration. Source: CyberAgentSource: Japan AnalyticsDON'T LOOK ANY FURTHER - The further down the Income Statment one travels, the less appealing the picture. The company likes to present its profitability in terms of what it describes as 'existing business, excluding investment development'. The latter has produced over ¥20b in one-off gains over the last five years, which have helped offset nearly ¥62b in 'up-front investment in the AbemaTV business' which will presumably cease not to exist if and when it turns a profit. Even using CyberAgent's logic, the second quarter was the third straight quarter of declining year-on-year profitability. Shareholders meanwhile have to make do with what is generated at the true bottom-line of the Income Statement - Comprehensive Income which saw an increase of just ¥3.2b in the quarter, 24% of 'adjusted' profits.  CyberAgent's Shareholders' Equity (including Other Comprehensive Income) is ¥358m lower than at FY17-Q4 and has declined by 4% since peaking in FY18-Q3.  It is no surprise therefore that the company's PBR has declined by a third in less than a year, although it is still 39% above the FY17-Q4 low.  In the DETAIL section below, we shall cover the interim results in more detail and update the implied valuation for the AbemaTV business. In keeping with the previous report, we provide this brief musical interlude from M People in Berlin.

4751 🇯🇵 CyberAgent • Interim Update - Don't Look Any Further

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>KOSPI is up 7% YTD and Nikkei is up 11% YTD. </li>
<li>South Korea reported horrible GDP data in 1Q19. It was reported in the past week that South Korea's GDP declined 0.3% QoQ in 1Q19, which was the worst figure in nearly 11 years since 2008. What's so bad about this is the fact that back in 2008, all the major economies were in the midst of the Great Recession whereas today, that is not the case with the US economy that is in much better shape as compared to other emerging countries such as South Korea.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/16764" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16764:1">Intel Corp (INTC US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/18804" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18804:1">Texas Instruments (TXN US)</a> made warnings on the semiconductor sector this week. Intel now expects revenue of $69 billion in 2019, down 3% YoY. This revenue guidance is 3.5% lower than its previous guidance given in January 2019.</li>
</ul>


KOSPI is up 7% YTD and Nikkei is up 11% YTD. 
South Korea reported horrible GDP data in 1Q19. It was reported in the past week that South Korea's GDP declined 0.3% QoQ in 1Q19, which was the worst figure in nearly 11 years since 2008. What's so bad about this is the fact that back in 2008, all the major economies were in the midst of the Great Recession whereas today, that is not the case with the US economy that is in much better shape as compared to other emerging countries such as South Korea.

Intel Corp (INTC US) and Texas Instruments (TXN US) made warnings on the semiconductor sector this week. Intel now expects revenue of $69 billion in 2019, down 3% YoY. This revenue guidance is 3.5% lower than its previous guidance given in January 2019.


Smartkarma’s Week That Was in JP/​​​​​​​​​KR: -0.3% GDP Growth, Intel's Warnings, & The Next Joker?

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Supun Walpola

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.

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/8197" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8197:1">Cyberagent Inc (4751 JP)</a> reported 2Q FY09/19 financial results on Wednesday (24th April). CyberAgent reported revenue of ¥117.3bn (+7% YoY) and OP of ¥8.6bn (-25% YoY) for 2Q FY09/19. Both Revenue and OP were above consensus estimates of ¥113.6bn and ¥7.0bn respectively.
The slowdown in the Internet Advertisement business continues, as segment’s revenue was up by only 10.8% YoY in 2QFY09/19, compared to the average growth of around 20% YoY seen in the last two years. The Game business also remains sluggish, down 1% YoY, as the new hit game title, Dragalia Lost, failed to impress for the second consecutive quarter.
In the meantime, Media business revenue was up by 29% YoY, with growth seems to be coming mainly from the AbemaTV front; the number of AbemaTV premium subscribers was up 12% QoQ (an increase of around 43K in absolute terms).
We have revised our FY09/19E revenue expectation upwards for AbemaTV by around JPY4bn (which is around a 30% increase from our previous forecast of ¥12bn) to reflect robust growth in the number of subscribers and advertisement revenue. Our revenue and OP forecasts for the Internet Advertisement and Game businesses remain unchanged.
Our revised SOTP valuation for CyberAgent gives a FY1 target price of ¥4,750, which implies an upside of 10% from Wednesday’s close, with potential for further upside in the medium term.

Cyberagent Inc (4751 JP) reported 2Q FY09/19 financial results on Wednesday (24th April). CyberAgent reported revenue of ¥117.3bn (+7% YoY) and OP of ¥8.6bn (-25% YoY) for 2Q FY09/19. Both Revenue and OP were above consensus estimates of ¥113.6bn and ¥7.0bn respectively.
The slowdown in the Internet Advertisement business continues, as segment’s revenue was up by only 10.8% YoY in 2QFY09/19, compared to the average growth of around 20% YoY seen in the last two years. The Game business also remains sluggish, down 1% YoY, as the new hit game title, Dragalia Lost, failed to impress for the second consecutive quarter.
In the meantime, Media business revenue was up by 29% YoY, with growth seems to be coming mainly from the AbemaTV front; the number of AbemaTV premium subscribers was up 12% QoQ (an increase of around 43K in absolute terms).
We have revised our FY09/19E revenue expectation upwards for AbemaTV by around JPY4bn (which is around a 30% increase from our previous forecast of ¥12bn) to reflect robust growth in the number of subscribers and advertisement revenue. Our revenue and OP forecasts for the Internet Advertisement and Game businesses remain unchanged.
Our revised SOTP valuation for CyberAgent gives a FY1 target price of ¥4,750, which implies an upside of 10% from Wednesday’s close, with potential for further upside in the medium term.

CyberAgent (4751 JP) 2Q Earnings Update: AbemaTV Continues to Impress

<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/083/132/original/2019-03-25_18-58-11.png?1553507902" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="83132"></figure>Source: Japan Analytics
</div>There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33 Information &amp; Communication sub-Sector but is broader in that it encompasses all companies listed on all sections and exchanges but is also narrower in that we have excluded Telecommunications (including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">S</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">oftbank Group (9984 JP)</a>) and Information Technology companies. We have adopted a 'quantamental' approach which covers the long-term and current trends for Japan's Internet Sector as a whole, as well as eight sub-Sectors or Peer Groups and the Sectors' leading companies by market capitalisation.  Our focus is exclusively on the locally-listed universe and is based on disclosed financial and market data. We do not provide any forecasts, other than the companies' own forecasts and we do not attempt to make any business model or strategic judgments. Our focus is purely on financial and market performance. We do not cover unlisted and defunct companies such as Livedoor and, therefore, there is implicit survivor bias in the data. The broad themes that are developed in DETAIL below are grouped into six topics as follows: - • SUMMARY •  • FUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEW •  • SCORING - RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS / RELATIVE PRICE •  • RESULTS TRENDS •  • VALUATION • • RECOMMENDATIONS •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/083/206/original/2019-03-25_17-46-58.png?1553565764" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="83206"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>OVERVIEW - As will be covered in greater DETAIL below, Japan has failed to evolve a substantial Internet Sector and, in many business models, has been passed by global competitors including in the home market. Although Internet Sector revenues have grown steadily and now account for close to 1% of the total for all listed companies, operating margins have declined by half in the last seven years and are now only four percentage points higher than the market average. Accordingly, as measured by our Results &amp; Revision Score, the Sector is close to a twelve-year low. The market's response is an unchanged Sector weight in the market composite despite the addition of 111 new companies in the last six years, and a Relative Price Score that has moved in a narrow range over that period. The Sector averages disguise the weak business and market performance of a handful of Sector leaders as well as the overvaluation of the Sector's more successful business models, which is partly a result of a lack of alternatives. Despite the world's most significant Internet investor - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>'s Vision Fund - being based in Japan, this fund and other global investors in Internet business have been right to give Japan a 'pass'.


Source: Japan Analytics
There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33 Information &amp; Communication sub-Sector but is broader in that it encompasses all companies listed on all sections and exchanges but is also narrower in that we have excluded Telecommunications (including Softbank Group (9984 JP)) and Information Technology companies. We have adopted a 'quantamental' approach which covers the long-term and current trends for Japan's Internet Sector as a whole, as well as eight sub-Sectors or Peer Groups and the Sectors' leading companies by market capitalisation.  Our focus is exclusively on the locally-listed universe and is based on disclosed financial and market data. We do not provide any forecasts, other than the companies' own forecasts and we do not attempt to make any business model or strategic judgments. Our focus is purely on financial and market performance. We do not cover unlisted and defunct companies such as Livedoor and, therefore, there is implicit survivor bias in the data. The broad themes that are developed in DETAIL below are grouped into six topics as follows: - • SUMMARY •  • FUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEW •  • SCORING - RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS / RELATIVE PRICE •  • RESULTS TRENDS •  • VALUATION • • RECOMMENDATIONS •Source: Japan AnalyticsOVERVIEW - As will be covered in greater DETAIL below, Japan has failed to evolve a substantial Internet Sector and, in many business models, has been passed by global competitors including in the home market. Although Internet Sector revenues have grown steadily and now account for close to 1% of the total for all listed companies, operating margins have declined by half in the last seven years and are now only four percentage points higher than the market average. Accordingly, as measured by our Results &amp; Revision Score, the Sector is close to a twelve-year low. The market's response is an unchanged Sector weight in the market composite despite the addition of 111 new companies in the last six years, and a Relative Price Score that has moved in a narrow range over that period. The Sector averages disguise the weak business and market performance of a handful of Sector leaders as well as the overvaluation of the Sector's more successful business models, which is partly a result of a lack of alternatives. Despite the world's most significant Internet investor - Softbank Group (9984 JP)'s Vision Fund - being based in Japan, this fund and other global investors in Internet business have been right to give Japan a 'pass'. 

🇯🇵 Japan • Internet Sector Review - 'Japan Passing'

Our recent conversation with CyberAgent’s IR team suggests that a significant improvement in the OP margin is unlikely in the next few quarters. The OP margins of both Game business and the Internet Advertisement, while likely to improve gradually, are likely to remain low compared to recent history due to higher advertising and personnel costs.Upfront investments in AbemaTV are likely to continue until the target of 10m Weekly Average Users (WAU) is met, which could take a year or more. The company expects around 50% of AbemaTV revenue to eventually come from premium users, which seems to be a shift in strategy, from a “free” service towards a more hybrid model.CyberAgent’s share price closed at ¥4,050 on Tuesday, up 7.1% from its previous close, following the news that the stock was added to the Goldman Sachs’ conviction list with a reiterated buy rating. However, even before this, CyberAgent’s share price had been on a steady increase over the past two weeks (+29.0%), recovering from a one-year low in early February. This increase, despite rather mediocre 1Q results, a downward revision of OP guidance, and lack of any major short term catalysts is an indication that the market deems CyberAgent to be undervalued – mainly on the AbemaTV front.

Our recent conversation with CyberAgent’s IR team suggests that a significant improvement in the OP margin is unlikely in the next few quarters. The OP margins of both Game business and the Internet Advertisement, while likely to improve gradually, are likely to remain low compared to recent history due to higher advertising and personnel costs.Upfront investments in AbemaTV are likely to continue until the target of 10m Weekly Average Users (WAU) is met, which could take a year or more. The company expects around 50% of AbemaTV revenue to eventually come from premium users, which seems to be a shift in strategy, from a “free” service towards a more hybrid model.CyberAgent’s share price closed at ¥4,050 on Tuesday, up 7.1% from its previous close, following the news that the stock was added to the Goldman Sachs’ conviction list with a reiterated buy rating. However, even before this, CyberAgent’s share price had been on a steady increase over the past two weeks (+29.0%), recovering from a one-year low in early February. This increase, despite rather mediocre 1Q results, a downward revision of OP guidance, and lack of any major short term catalysts is an indication that the market deems CyberAgent to be undervalued – mainly on the AbemaTV front.

CyberAgent (4751 JP): Key Takeaways from Our Discussion with the IR Team

Japan

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.

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CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP)

4751 🇯🇵 CyberAgent • Interim Update - Don't Look Any Further

RECORD SALES - As the company never tires of pointing out, CyberAgent's revenues continue to grow apace. The interim quarter saw a record amount of...

Campbell Gunn

Smartkarma’s Week That Was in JP/KR: -0.3% GDP Growth, Intel's Warnings, & The Next Joker?

KOSPI is up 7% YTD and Nikkei is up 11% YTD. South Korea reported horrible GDP data in 1Q19. It was reported in the past week that South Korea's...

Douglas Kim

CyberAgent (4751 JP) 2Q Earnings Update: AbemaTV Continues to Impress

Cyberagent Inc (4751 JP) reported 2Q FY09/19 financial results on Wednesday (24th April). CyberAgent reported revenue of ¥117.3bn (+7% YoY) and OP...

Supun Walpola

🇯🇵 Japan • Internet Sector Review - 'Japan Passing'

There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33...

Campbell Gunn

CyberAgent (4751 JP): Key Takeaways from Our Discussion with the IR Team

Our recent conversation with CyberAgent’s IR team suggests that a significant improvement in the OP margin is unlikely in the next few quarters....

Supun Walpola

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4751 🇯🇵 CyberAgent • Interim Update - Don't Look Any Further

RECORD SALES - As the company never tires of pointing out, CyberAgent's revenues continue to grow apace. The interim quarter saw a record amount of...

Campbell Gunn

Smartkarma’s Week That Was in JP/​​​​​​​​​KR: -0.3% GDP Growth, Intel's Warnings, & The Next Joker?

KOSPI is up 7% YTD and Nikkei is up 11% YTD. South Korea reported horrible GDP data in 1Q19. It was reported in the past week that South Korea's...

Douglas Kim

CyberAgent (4751 JP) 2Q Earnings Update: AbemaTV Continues to Impress

Cyberagent Inc (4751 JP) reported 2Q FY09/19 financial results on Wednesday (24th April). CyberAgent reported revenue of ¥117.3bn (+7% YoY) and OP...

Supun Walpola

🇯🇵 Japan • Internet Sector Review - 'Japan Passing'

There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33...

Campbell Gunn

CyberAgent (4751 JP): Key Takeaways from Our Discussion with the IR Team

Our recent conversation with CyberAgent’s IR team suggests that a significant improvement in the OP margin is unlikely in the next few quarters....

Supun Walpola

Smartkarma’s Week That Was in JP/KR: -0.3% GDP Growth, Intel's Warnings, & The Next Joker?