Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

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<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/suzuken-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14996:1" rel="noopener">Suzuken Co Ltd (9987 JP)</a> reported better-than-expected Q1FY24 result, due to an increase in specialty drug distribution contracts and a larger than expected contribution from products related to COVID-19.</li>
<li>In Q1FY24, revenue increased 4% to ¥573.6B, driven by 4% YoY growth in pharmaceutical distribution business, due to increased sales of new drugs such as specialty drugs and COVID-19 therapeutics.</li>
<li>The company guided for FY24 revenue of ¥2,231.9B, down 4% YoY. Operating profit is expected to decline 48% YoY to ¥17B. Net profit is guided at ¥13B, down 36% YoY.</li>
</ul>



Suzuken Co Ltd (9987 JP) reported better-than-expected Q1FY24 result, due to an increase in specialty drug distribution contracts and a larger than expected contribution from products related to COVID-19.
In Q1FY24, revenue increased 4% to ¥573.6B, driven by 4% YoY growth in pharmaceutical distribution business, due to increased sales of new drugs such as specialty drugs and COVID-19 therapeutics.
The company guided for FY24 revenue of ¥2,231.9B, down 4% YoY. Operating profit is expected to decline 48% YoY to ¥17B. Net profit is guided at ¥13B, down 36% YoY.


Suzuken Co Ltd (9987 JP): Better-Than-Expected Q1FY24 Result; Full Year Guidance Reiterated

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/medipal-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18394:1" rel="noopener">Medipal Holdings (7459 JP)</a> announced strong Q1FY24 result, with a 6% YoY revenue growth to ¥887B, driven by growth across all three business segments.</li>
<li>However, operating profit declined 8% YoY to ¥12B, mainly due to increase in SG&amp;A expenses. Driven by an extraordinary income of ¥3.3B, net profit jumped 35% YoY to ¥11B.</li>
<li>The company has reaffirmed FY24 guidance, which calls for a 4.5% YoY revenue growth, flat operating profit, and a 9.3% YoY decline in net profit.</li>
</ul>



Medipal Holdings (7459 JP) announced strong Q1FY24 result, with a 6% YoY revenue growth to ¥887B, driven by growth across all three business segments.
However, operating profit declined 8% YoY to ¥12B, mainly due to increase in SG&amp;A expenses. Driven by an extraordinary income of ¥3.3B, net profit jumped 35% YoY to ¥11B.
The company has reaffirmed FY24 guidance, which calls for a 4.5% YoY revenue growth, flat operating profit, and a 9.3% YoY decline in net profit.


Medipal Holdings (7459 JP): Started FY24 On a Strong Note with Accelerated Revenue

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/medipal-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18394:1" rel="noopener">Medipal Holdings (7459 JP)</a> announced strong FY23 result, with year-over-year improvement in sales and profit. While sales were just 1% ahead of forecast, net profit exceeded the guidance by 16%.</li>
<li>Outperformance was mainly driven by PALTAC business. Revenue from PALTAC increased 6% YoY to ¥1,104B, 2% ahead of forecast of ¥1,080B, fueled by 14% growth in OTC pharmaceutical products.</li>
<li>Medipal has guided for accelerated revenue growth of 3% YoY for its pharmaceutical wholesale business in FY24. In FY23, the business recorded revenue growth of 0.6% YoY.</li>
</ul>



Medipal Holdings (7459 JP) announced strong FY23 result, with year-over-year improvement in sales and profit. While sales were just 1% ahead of forecast, net profit exceeded the guidance by 16%.
Outperformance was mainly driven by PALTAC business. Revenue from PALTAC increased 6% YoY to ¥1,104B, 2% ahead of forecast of ¥1,080B, fueled by 14% growth in OTC pharmaceutical products.
Medipal has guided for accelerated revenue growth of 3% YoY for its pharmaceutical wholesale business in FY24. In FY23, the business recorded revenue growth of 0.6% YoY.


Medipal Holdings (7459 JP): Better-Than-Expected FY23 Result; Accelerated Growth Expected in FY24

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

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<li>Born of a merger between two not-very-well-known businesses 20 years ago, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alfresa-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10610:1" rel="noopener">Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP)</a> is still not very well known. It is in a boring, low-margin business. </li>
<li>The highest EBIT margin in the past two decades was.... 1.8%. ROE was in the 8-10% range for 2016-2020 but has since fallen below, as PBR has fallen below 1.0x.</li>
<li>Today, we got an <em>amended</em> Mid-Term Management Plan, a new dividend policy, and buyback of 10% of shares out based on last price. It's worth looking in the details.</li>
</ul>


Born of a merger between two not-very-well-known businesses 20 years ago, Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP) is still not very well known. It is in a boring, low-margin business. 
The highest EBIT margin in the past two decades was.... 1.8%. ROE was in the 8-10% range for 2016-2020 but has since fallen below, as PBR has fallen below 1.0x.
Today, we got an amended Mid-Term Management Plan, a new dividend policy, and buyback of 10% of shares out based on last price. It's worth looking in the details.


JAPAN BUYBACKS - Alfresa (2784) Cheap Stock, Uncheapening, Goes Big

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<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alfresa-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10610:1" rel="noopener">Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP)</a> revised its consolidated performance forecast for FY23. Revenue, operating profit, and net profit forecast have been raised by 3%, 2%, and 21%, respectively.</li>
<li>This is attributed to greater-than-expected growth in ethical pharmaceuticals market and the company’s recovery from the bidding nomination suspension from medical institutions stemming from a violation of the Antimonopoly Act.</li>
<li>In March 2023, Alfresa received a cease and desist order and a surcharge payment order from the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in relation to violation of the Antimonopoly Act.</li>
</ul>



Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP) revised its consolidated performance forecast for FY23. Revenue, operating profit, and net profit forecast have been raised by 3%, 2%, and 21%, respectively.
This is attributed to greater-than-expected growth in ethical pharmaceuticals market and the company’s recovery from the bidding nomination suspension from medical institutions stemming from a violation of the Antimonopoly Act.
In March 2023, Alfresa received a cease and desist order and a surcharge payment order from the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in relation to violation of the Antimonopoly Act.


Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP): FY23 Result Is Expected to Exceed Previous Forecast

Japan

Alfresa Holdings Corporation is a holding company established through the merger of Azwell Inc. and Fukujin Co., Ltd.  The Company's subsidiaries mainly wholesale and manufacture medical related products including medicines, reagents, and medical tools and equipment.

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Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP)

Suzuken Co Ltd (9987 JP): Better-Than-Expected Q1FY24 Result; Full Year Guidance Reiterated

Suzuken reported better-than-expected Q1FY24 result, driven by specialty drug contracts and COVID-19 products. However, the company expects...

Tina Banerjee

Medipal Holdings (7459 JP): Started FY24 On a Strong Note with Accelerated Revenue

Medipal reports 6% YoY sales growth but a decline in operating profit due to increased expenses in Q1FY24. Net profit jumps 35% YoY, driven by an...

Tina Banerjee

Medipal Holdings (7459 JP): Better-Than-Expected FY23 Result; Accelerated Growth Expected in FY24

In FY23, Medipal Holdings’ revenue was 1% ahead of forecast, while net profit exceeded the guidance by 16%. The company guided for 3% YoY revenue...

Tina Banerjee

JAPAN BUYBACKS - Alfresa (2784) Cheap Stock, Uncheapening, Goes Big

Alfresa Holdings, a boring and very low margin but cash and securities-rich business has announced it will try to raise its PBR, "control" its...

Travis Lundy