Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Core inflation rates remain stubbornly high and real wages are still falling. </li>
<li>Surveys suggest one more major round of price hikes in October but the government still thinks prices will stabilise below its 2% target by the end of the year.</li>
<li>The increases are lowering consumer confidence – bad news for most retailers, although major discount chains are making hay while the sun, well, doesn’t shine.</li>
</ul>


Core inflation rates remain stubbornly high and real wages are still falling. 
Surveys suggest one more major round of price hikes in October but the government still thinks prices will stabilise below its 2% target by the end of the year.
The increases are lowering consumer confidence – bad news for most retailers, although major discount chains are making hay while the sun, well, doesn’t shine.


Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

<ul>
<li>Sony price hikes in Japan to have a mild positive impact. The stock still looks attractive after positives from recent earnings seem to have been lost in the recent volatility.</li>
<li>PPIH continues to look attractive as a continued laggard as the market rotates out of the big retail/inbound winners such as Isetan Mitsukoshi.</li>
<li>7&amp;I clearly showing how anti-takeover they are effectively asking for Govt protection to ward off Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard takeover approach.</li>
</ul>


Sony price hikes in Japan to have a mild positive impact. The stock still looks attractive after positives from recent earnings seem to have been lost in the recent volatility.
PPIH continues to look attractive as a continued laggard as the market rotates out of the big retail/inbound winners such as Isetan Mitsukoshi.
7&amp;I clearly showing how anti-takeover they are effectively asking for Govt protection to ward off Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard takeover approach.


Japan Morning Connection: Sony, PPIH, 7&I

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.

Event-Driven

China Traditional Chinese Medicine / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>Highest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yichang-hec-changjiang-pharmaceutical" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21040:1" rel="noopener">Yichang HEC Changjiang Pharma (1558 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-traditional-chinese-medicine" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:351:1" rel="noopener">China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canvest-environmental-protection-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:100:1" rel="noopener">Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/malaysia-airports-holdings-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:117:1" rel="noopener">Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB MK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/capitol-health-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14504:1" rel="noopener">Capitol Health (CAJ AU)</a>. 
</li>
<li>Lowest spreads: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tohokushinsha-film-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15129:1" rel="noopener">Tohokushinsha Film (2329 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-soft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17504:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/descente-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8225:1" rel="noopener">Descente Ltd (8114 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/second-chance-properties-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20342:1" rel="noopener">Second Chance Properties (SCE SP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/c-i-takiron-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18675:1" rel="noopener">C.I. TAKIRON Corporation (4215 JP)</a>.     </li>
</ul>


We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.
Highest spreads: Yichang HEC Changjiang Pharma (1558 HK), China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK), Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK), Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB MK), Capitol Health (CAJ AU). 

Lowest spreads: Tohokushinsha Film (2329 JP), Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP), Descente Ltd (8114 JP), Second Chance Properties (SCE SP), Fancl Corp (4921 JP), C.I. TAKIRON Corporation (4215 JP).     


Merger Arb Mondays (26 Aug) - China TCM, Henlius, Canvest, GA Pack, Huafa, Tohokushinsha

<ul>
<li>There has been a long-term trend of market concentration in Japan's retail sector for more than a decade.</li>
<li>But consolidation is accelerating due to the pressures to find growth in a depopulating market and the winner takes all phenomenon which rewards the leading chains.</li>
<li>With higher growth and greater access to capital for the best retailers, the net result is dramatically higher levels of M&amp;A in sectors like drugstores and even supermarkets.  </li>
</ul>


There has been a long-term trend of market concentration in Japan's retail sector for more than a decade.
But consolidation is accelerating due to the pressures to find growth in a depopulating market and the winner takes all phenomenon which rewards the leading chains.
With higher growth and greater access to capital for the best retailers, the net result is dramatically higher levels of M&amp;A in sectors like drugstores and even supermarkets.  


Japan Retail: Market Concentration Accelerates Through M&A and Organic Growth

<ul>
<li>Estee Lauder continues to  underwhelm on its China strategy, making names with less country exposure such as Kose look increasingly attractive</li>
<li>While the 7&amp;I deal outcome remains highly  uncertain, NKY225 replacement candidates should see a lift in the short-term</li>
<li>This includes PPIH, which looks oversold after yesterdays negative price reaction to the Founder's 22 year old son being promoted to a non-exec director.</li>
</ul>


Estee Lauder continues to  underwhelm on its China strategy, making names with less country exposure such as Kose look increasingly attractive
While the 7&amp;I deal outcome remains highly  uncertain, NKY225 replacement candidates should see a lift in the short-term
This includes PPIH, which looks oversold after yesterdays negative price reaction to the Founder's 22 year old son being promoted to a non-exec director.


Japan Morning Connection: Kose, 7&I, PPIH

Japan

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. is a holding company established through a merger of Mitsukoshi and Isetan. The group operates department stores nationwide, selling clothing, foods, household goods, cosmetics and general merchandise.

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Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd (3099 JP)

Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japanese consumer markets have three big trends: higher prices/squeezed incomes, doubling of single households and more people feeling the pinch....

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Sony, PPIH, 7&I

Sony's stock remains attractive as a long, PPIH is a laggard worth considering, and 7&I seeks government protection against takeover.

Andrew Jackson

Merger Arb Mondays (26 Aug) - China TCM, Henlius, Canvest, GA Pack, Huafa, Tohokushinsha

This week, the highest gross spreads are HEC Pharma (109.7%), China TCM (12.7%), Canvest (11.9%), Malaysia Airports (7.8%), Capitol (7.4%), Henlius...

Arun George

Japan Retail: Market Concentration Accelerates Through M&A and Organic Growth

Market concentration in Japan's retail sector has been increasing due to the need for growth in a shrinking market, leading to a surge in M&A...

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Kose, 7&I, PPIH

Estee Lauder continues to struggle while those with less China exposure such as Kose look more attractive. Uncertainty over 7&I deal should lift...

Andrew Jackson

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japanese consumer markets have three big trends: higher prices/squeezed incomes, doubling of single households and more people feeling the pinch....

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Sony, PPIH, 7&I

​Sony's stock remains attractive as a long, PPIH is a laggard worth considering, and 7&I seeks government protection against takeover.

Andrew Jackson

Merger Arb Mondays (26 Aug) - China TCM, Henlius, Canvest, GA Pack, Huafa, Tohokushinsha

This week, the highest gross spreads are HEC Pharma (109.7%), China TCM (12.7%), Canvest (11.9%), Malaysia Airports (7.8%), Capitol (7.4%), Henlius...

Arun George

Japan Retail: Market Concentration Accelerates Through M&A and Organic Growth

​Market concentration in Japan's retail sector has been increasing due to the need for growth in a shrinking market, leading to a surge in M&A...

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Kose, 7&I, PPIH

Estee Lauder continues to struggle while those with less China exposure such as Kose look more attractive. Uncertainty over 7&I deal should lift...

Andrew Jackson

Sony's stock remains attractive as a long, PPIH is a laggard worth considering, and 7&I seeks government protection against takeover.

Market concentration in Japan's retail sector has been increasing due to the need for growth in a shrinking market, leading to a surge in M&A...