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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a> delivered 3QFY23 results yesterday, which saw revenue and operating profit decrease by 2.5% and 5.0% YoY respectively to ¥28.3bn (consensus ¥29.8bn) and ¥3.1bn (consensus ¥3.4bn).</li>
<li>Cosmetics growth being the main reason for Fancl’s FY+2 EV/OP of 22.4x, recent trends look scary with cosmetics revenue and OP down 24% and 27% respectively from the pre-COVID level.</li>
<li>Therefore, we would look to short Fancl expecting shares to fall around 25-30% in the short term.</li>
</ul>



Fancl Corp (4921 JP) delivered 3QFY23 results yesterday, which saw revenue and operating profit decrease by 2.5% and 5.0% YoY respectively to ¥28.3bn (consensus ¥29.8bn) and ¥3.1bn (consensus ¥3.4bn).
Cosmetics growth being the main reason for Fancl’s FY+2 EV/OP of 22.4x, recent trends look scary with cosmetics revenue and OP down 24% and 27% respectively from the pre-COVID level.
Therefore, we would look to short Fancl expecting shares to fall around 25-30% in the short term.


FANCL: The Flagship FANCL Brand in Trouble

<ul>
<li>A couple of Japanese cosmetics names, reported their quarterly results this week, with considerable earnings misses</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12933:1" rel="noopener">Kao Corp (4452 JP)</a> fell 8.5% today following a 40% OP miss while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pola-orbis-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2287:1" rel="noopener">Pola Orbis Holdings (4927 JP)</a> was flat after a narrow miss of 2% from a relatively low consensus estimate.</li>
<li>If the two reports released this week are something to go by, we could expect large misses, for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kose-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18009:1" rel="noopener">Kose Corp (4922 JP)</a> next week.</li>
</ul>


A couple of Japanese cosmetics names, reported their quarterly results this week, with considerable earnings misses

Kao Corp (4452 JP) fell 8.5% today following a 40% OP miss while Pola Orbis Holdings (4927 JP) was flat after a narrow miss of 2% from a relatively low consensus estimate.
If the two reports released this week are something to go by, we could expect large misses, for Fancl Corp (4921 JP) and Kose Corp (4922 JP) next week.


Japanese Cosmetics: Trading Around Q3 Earnings

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/giant-biogene-holding-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35950:1" rel="noopener">Giant Biogene Holding (GBH HK)</a> has launched its HKEx listing atHK$24.30-27.70 per share to raise up to US$80 million, materially below previous expectations of a US$500 million raise.</li>
<li>We previously discussed the IPO in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/giant-biogene-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:81963" rel="noopener">Giant Biogene IPO: The Bull Case</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/giant-biogene-ipo-the-bear-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:82037" rel="noopener">Giant Biogene IPO: The Bear Case</a> and<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/giant-biogene-ipo-valuation-first-look" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:82648" rel="noopener">Giant Biogene IPO: Valuation First Look</a>.</li>
<li>The China A Share peers have derated due to the sharp sell-off in the last few days. Nevertheless, Biogene is attractively valued at the IPO price range. We would participate. </li>
</ul>



Giant Biogene Holding (GBH HK) has launched its HKEx listing atHK$24.30-27.70 per share to raise up to US$80 million, materially below previous expectations of a US$500 million raise.
We previously discussed the IPO in Giant Biogene IPO: The Bull Case, Giant Biogene IPO: The Bear Case andGiant Biogene IPO: Valuation First Look.
The China A Share peers have derated due to the sharp sell-off in the last few days. Nevertheless, Biogene is attractively valued at the IPO price range. We would participate. 


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/giant-biogene-holding-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35950:1" rel="noopener">Giant Biogene Holding (GBH HK)</a>, a leading professional skin care product manufacturer, is set to launch a US$500 million HKEx IPO.  </li>
<li>We previously discussed the IPO in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/giant-biogene-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:81963" rel="noopener">Giant Biogene IPO: The Bull Case</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/giant-biogene-ipo-the-bear-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:82037" rel="noopener">Giant Biogene IPO: The Bear Case</a>.</li>
<li>In this note, we present our forecasts and take the first look at Giant Biogene's potential valuation range. </li>
</ul>



Giant Biogene Holding (GBH HK), a leading professional skin care product manufacturer, is set to launch a US$500 million HKEx IPO.  
We previously discussed the IPO in Giant Biogene IPO: The Bull Case and Giant Biogene IPO: The Bear Case.
In this note, we present our forecasts and take the first look at Giant Biogene's potential valuation range. 


<ul>
<li>The latest rally in Japanese cosmetics, driven by improving domestic market conditions has strangely avoided two of the big names in the market, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a> &amp; Pola Orbis.</li>
<li>Although both of these names seem to offer big upside potential, we think <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pola-orbis-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2287:1" rel="noopener">Pola Orbis Holdings (4927 JP)</a> has a significantly better risk-reward profile in the short term.</li>
<li>We would also be inclined to hedge the market risk using <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kose-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18009:1" rel="noopener">Kose Corp (4922 JP)</a> on the short side as the name has the biggest downside potential.</li>
</ul>


The latest rally in Japanese cosmetics, driven by improving domestic market conditions has strangely avoided two of the big names in the market, Shiseido Company (4911 JP) &amp; Pola Orbis.
Although both of these names seem to offer big upside potential, we think Pola Orbis Holdings (4927 JP) has a significantly better risk-reward profile in the short term.
We would also be inclined to hedge the market risk using Kose Corp (4922 JP) on the short side as the name has the biggest downside potential.


Japan

POLA ORBIS HOLDINGS INC. develops, manufactures and markets cosmetic products, centering in skincare  products. Under its multi-brand strategy, the Company holds nine cosmetic brands including POLA, prestige skincare brand, ORBIS, oil-free skincare brand, H2O PLUS and Jurlique.

Rizap Group Inc provides low calorie foods including soy milk cookies, diet drinks, and supplements.  The Company sells its products through mail order.

KOBAYASHI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. manufactures and wholesales pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.  The Company also develops and manufactures fragrances, deodorant, sanitary products, and ointment for stiff shoulders, as well as exports to Southeast Asia and the US.

Noevir Holdings Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells a variety of cosmetic products. The Company's products include skin care and make-up.  Noevir also manufactures and sells medicines, nutritional supplements and apparel.

Milbon Co., Ltd. manufactures hair care products for beauty salons.  The Company produces chemicals for permanents, hair coloring, shampoos, rinses, and hair growth stimulant products.

euglena Co., Ltd. develops and manufactures euglena based products. The Company uses the unique growing and nutritional properties to produce functional food tablets, jelly, beverages, cookies, noodles, and cosmetics. euglena grows in high carbon dioxide environments which enables it to be used for environmental and outer space applications as well.

KOSE Corporation manufactures, retails, and exports cosmetics including make up, skin care, and hair care products.  The Company sells its products in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Malaysia.

MANDOM CORPORATION manufactures and markets a variety of cosmetic products for men and women.  The Company's products include hair care and skin care cosmetics.

COTA CO., LTD. manufactures and sells hair care products.  The Company offers an extensive line of perm, coloring, styling, and treatment products.

YA-MAN LTD. is a manufacturer of home facial equipment, and also sells its facial massager, cosmetics and laundry.

LG H&H Co., Ltd. manufactures and distributes cosmetics. The Company produces whoo, o hui, sum 37, basic cosmetics, color cosmetics, and other related products. LG H&H also produces toothpaste, soap, detergents, healthy, personal care, and refreshing products.

AMOREPACIFIC Group is an investment holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, produce cosmetics and toiletries.

Edgewell Personal Care Co., manufactures and markets a diversified range of personal care  products in the wet shave, skin care, feminine care and infant care categories.  The Companies products include shaving systems and disposable razors, feminine care products, sun care products, infant feeding, gloves and moist wipes.

Amorepacific Corporation develops, manufactures, and exports skin care, make-up, and fragrance products. The Company also produces and markets personal care and health-related products, such as shampoos, soaps, toothpastes, and health teas.

Shanghai Flyco Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures and sells personal care appliances. Main products include electric shavers and hairdryers.

Shanghai Flyco Electrical Appl (603868 CH)

Shanghai Jahwa United Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures and wholesales skin care and hair care products, cosmetics, perfumes, detergents, and other household chemical products.  The Company also provides technical and food services.

PT Industri Jamu Dan Farmasi Sido Muncul Tbk manufactures and produces herbal products. The Company's products consist of medicinal herbs, energy drinks, sweets and other beverages.

Blackmores Limited manufactures and markets vitamin, herbal, mineral supplements and natural skin and hair treatment products in Australia and New Zealand. These products are supplied to the over the counter retail market and to health care professionals. The Company also has a line of natural beauty and aromatherapy products and its products are distributed in South East Asia.

Cosmax, Inc. is a cosmetics manufacturer. The Company develops and produces a variety of cosmetics for men and women, such as basic and special skin care, makeup, hair care, and other beauty products. Cosmax manufactures its products on original equipment manufacturing (OEM) basis.

Herbalife Ltd. is a global nutrition company that sells weight management, healthy meals and snacks, sports and fitness, energy and targeted nutritional products as well as personal care products. The Company distributes and sells its products through a network of independent distributors, using the direct selling channel.

FANCL CORPORATION produces and sells additive-free skin care cosmetics for both women and men.  The Company's products include cleansing creams, hair care goods such as shampoos and conditioners, and facial make up products.  Fancl also makes and distributes dietary supplements including royal jelly and various tablets with extracted essence from mushrooms, garlic, ginseng, and soy beans.

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Fancl Corp (4921 JP)

FANCL: The Flagship FANCL Brand in Trouble

Cosmetics growth being the main reason for Fancl’s lofty FY24 EV/OP of 22.4x, recent trends look quite scary with cosmetics revenue and OP down by...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Japanese Cosmetics: Trading Around Q3 Earnings

POla Orbis signalled tough conditions in both local and overseas markets with domestic revenue falling by 1.8% YoY and overseas business affected...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Giant Biogene IPO: Valuation Insights

The China A Share peers have derated due to the sharp sell-off in the last few days. Nevertheless, Biogene is attractively valued at the IPO price...

Arun George

Giant Biogene IPO: Valuation First Look

Giant Biogene will launch its US$500 million HKEx IPO this week. In this note, we present our forecasts and take the first look at its potential...

Arun George

Japanese Cosmetics: Trading Around Q3 Earnings

The latest rally in Japanese cosmetics, driven by improving domestic market conditions has strangely avoided two of the big names in the market,...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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