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. 

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>KDDI's agreement with Lawson and Mitsubishi to make a tender offer for the convenience store chain is a game-changer for what has become a slow growth convenience store sector.</li>
<li>There are myriad potential synergies across e-commerce, new store types and also the promising new revenue stream of retail media. Lawson may be worth more than KDDI's offer suggests.</li>
<li>And while Lawson may be behind Seven Eleven and Familymart, on some KPIs, like HQ revenues, it is No. 1 and also matches Seven Eleven on same-store sales.</li>
</ul>


KDDI's agreement with Lawson and Mitsubishi to make a tender offer for the convenience store chain is a game-changer for what has become a slow growth convenience store sector.
There are myriad potential synergies across e-commerce, new store types and also the promising new revenue stream of retail media. Lawson may be worth more than KDDI's offer suggests.
And while Lawson may be behind Seven Eleven and Familymart, on some KPIs, like HQ revenues, it is No. 1 and also matches Seven Eleven on same-store sales.


Lawson & KDDI: Not Just Because Japanese E-Commerce Is an Omnichannel Model

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>Today, just before the close, the Nikkei sprung a headline saying <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kddi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:639:1" rel="noopener">KDDI Corp (9433 JP)</a> would take over <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lawson-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1040:1" rel="noopener">Lawson Inc (2651 JP)</a>. The stock immediately headed to limit up. </li>
<li>Post-Close, details emerged. KDDI will buy the 50% that MitCorp does not own, this will become a 50/50 JV. TOB launch at ¥10,360 will be in April. Squeezeout in September.</li>
<li>This appears to be the Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure. The premium is too light. The price is too low. And that is not counting the synergies.</li>
</ul>


Today, just before the close, the Nikkei sprung a headline saying KDDI Corp (9433 JP) would take over Lawson Inc (2651 JP). The stock immediately headed to limit up. 
Post-Close, details emerged. KDDI will buy the 50% that MitCorp does not own, this will become a 50/50 JV. TOB launch at ¥10,360 will be in April. Squeezeout in September.
This appears to be the Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure. The premium is too light. The price is too low. And that is not counting the synergies.


The Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure - KDDI and MitCorp to Take It Private

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.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lawson-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1040:1" rel="noopener">Lawson Inc (2651 JP)</a> has recommended a pre-conditional tender offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kddi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:639:1" rel="noopener">KDDI Corp (9433 JP)</a> at JPY10,360 per share, an 18.8% premium to the undisturbed (5 February). </li>
<li>The pre-conditions relate to regulatory approvals in Japan, China, South Korea, and the EU. The offer is expected to start in April, suggesting no significant issues, particularly with SAMR approval.</li>
<li>Based on the irrevocables, the minimum acceptance condition requires a 30.2% minority acceptance rate, achievable as the offer represents an all-time high. </li>
</ul>



Lawson Inc (2651 JP) has recommended a pre-conditional tender offer from KDDI Corp (9433 JP) at JPY10,360 per share, an 18.8% premium to the undisturbed (5 February). 
The pre-conditions relate to regulatory approvals in Japan, China, South Korea, and the EU. The offer is expected to start in April, suggesting no significant issues, particularly with SAMR approval.
Based on the irrevocables, the minimum acceptance condition requires a 30.2% minority acceptance rate, achievable as the offer represents an all-time high. 


Lawson (2651 JP): KDDI Corp (9433 JP) Pre-Conditional Tender Offer at JPY10,360

Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>A shift in composition needed in a Japanese portfolio this year</li>
<li>A weaker US and Japanese economy together with a stronger Yen will  make sector allocation key.</li>
<li>Some sectors to avoid or invest in during this next phase.</li>
</ul>


A shift in composition needed in a Japanese portfolio this year
A weaker US and Japanese economy together with a stronger Yen will  make sector allocation key.
Some sectors to avoid or invest in during this next phase.


2024 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of Japan into Hong Kong - Part 4

Fintech & EM-focused Analyst, KT Capital Group

Alec Tseung

Fintech & EM-focused Analyst

KT Capital Group

Principal investments and advisory firm that focuses on connecting the CIS countries with East Asia.

Principal investments and advisory firm

Equity Bottom-Up

Lifenet Insurance Company / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Oasis Management has become a major shareholder in Lifenet in November. Together with another activist investor, Effissimo Capital (the largest shareholder), they now control &gt;30% of the company.</li>
<li>Company announced some new partnerships/initiatives to drive growth but they don't seem to be materially different from what it has been doing to turn around its declining VoNB.</li>
<li>Unless we can see a sustained trend of improving VoNB, it's difficult to justify the premium valuation vs. the other more established peer.</li>
</ul>


Oasis Management has become a major shareholder in Lifenet in November. Together with another activist investor, Effissimo Capital (the largest shareholder), they now control &gt;30% of the company.
Company announced some new partnerships/initiatives to drive growth but they don't seem to be materially different from what it has been doing to turn around its declining VoNB.
Unless we can see a sustained trend of improving VoNB, it's difficult to justify the premium valuation vs. the other more established peer.


Lifenet: Oasis Management Is Now Another Major Shareholder Besides Effissimo

Japan

Softbank Corporation provides mobile phone telecommunication and networking services. The Company offers mobile communication opening, short messaging function opening, video function opening, and other services. Softbank also provides mobile phones.

SoftBank Group Corp. provides telecommunication services. The Company also operates ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and fiber optic high-speed Internet connection, e-Commerce businesses, and Internet based advertising and auction businesses.

OKINAWA CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY provides cellular and car phone services in Okinawa Prefecture.  The Company also sells cellular phones and accessories.

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation provides a variety of telecommunication services, including telephone, telegraph, leased circuits, data communication, terminal equipment sales, and related services. The Company provides both local and long distance telephone services within Japan.

NTT (Nippon Telegraph & Telephone) (9432 JP)

Japan Communications Inc. provides telecommunication services to corporate clients.  The Company also provides wireless high-speed internet access mainly to consumers.

Nintendo Co., Ltd. globally develops, manufactures and sells home-use video game hardware and software in home entertainment business.  The company also produces home-game products including cards.

USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS Co.,Ltd. provides network information services. The Company provides video contents distribution, music contents distribution, and other services. USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS also provides internet agency, mobile communication, and other services.

LY Corporation operates as an internet search engine "Yahoo! JAPAN". The Company provides electronic commerce and settlement finance services for small medium enterprises and individuals. LY also operates media business including search linked advertising and display advertising services.

ARTERIA Networks Corporation provides telecommunication services. The Company offers internet connection, virtual private network construction, colocation, mobile connection, mobile device management, optical fiber network construction, and other services.

WirelessGate, Inc. provides wireless communication services including Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and LTE for end users at train stations, airports, retail outlets, restaurants and other locations. It provides broadband services through agreements with public LAN, Wifi hotspots and other third-party networks, and its application allows users to access Wifi hotspots from multiple providers.

America Movil SAB de C.V. provides wireless communications in 18 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean and the U.S. The company also offers fixed-line phone, Internet and pay-TV services in most parts of the region.

America Movil SAB de C.V. provides telecommunications services. The Company offers wireless and fixed voice services, including airtime, local, domestic, international long-distance, and broadband services. America Movil serves customers worldwide.

Vodafone Group PLC is a mobile telecommunications company providing a range of services, including voice and data communications.  The Company operates in Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East through its subsidiaries, associates, and investments.

Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited is granted a 25-year concession expiring the year 2015 by the Telephone Organization of Thailand to provide cellular phone services.  The Company provides analog mobile phone services through the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT900) network, and digital phone services through the Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM) network.

Bharti Airtel Limited, a part of Bharti Enterprises, provides telecommunications services throughout India. The Company provides GSM Mobile Services, broadband, fixed line telephone services, long distance services (international & national) and enterprise services.

China United Network Communications Limited provides a variety of telecommunication services, including GSM and CDMA wireless telecommunication services, international and domestic long distance communication services, data communication and Internet services, as well as paging services.

Rogers Communications, Inc. is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. The Company's activities include wireless voice and data communications services over its national GSM, HSPA and LTE networks; cable television, telephony and high speed Internet access services over its broadband networks; and radio and TV broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines, and sports.

Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd. provides cellular telecommunication services in Taiwan. The Company also sells and leases cellular phones.

Vodafone Idea Limited operates as a telecom service provider. The Company offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile services, as well as mobile payments, advanced enterprise offerings, and entertainment. Vodafone Idea serves customers in India.

Vodacom Group Limited operates a cellular telephone network in South Africa. The Company has mobile operations in Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

KDDI CORPORATION provides mobile communication services and sells mobile devices.  The Company also is a broadband provider.

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KDDI Corp (9433 JP)

Lawson & KDDI: Not Just Because Japanese E-Commerce Is an Omnichannel Model

KDDI's offer with Lawson and Mitsubishi is a game-changer, including in e-commerce and retail media. Lawson's value may exceed the offer, as it...

Michael Causton

The Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure - KDDI and MitCorp to Take It Private

KDDI has announced a deal to buy out the remainder of the 50% not owned by MitCorp. They will split the company 50/50 going forward. Small premium....

Travis Lundy

Lawson (2651 JP): KDDI Corp (9433 JP) Pre-Conditional Tender Offer at JPY10,360

The offer is expected to start in April. Based on the irrevocables, the minimum acceptance condition requires a 30.2% minority acceptance rate,...

Arun George

2024 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of Japan into Hong Kong - Part 4

In light of a weaker US and Japanese economy and a stronger Yen, sector allocation is crucial for Japanese portfolios this year. Certain sectors...

Rikki Malik

Lifenet: Oasis Management Is Now Another Major Shareholder Besides Effissimo

Effissimo Capital and Oasis Management now control >30% of Lifenet Insurance. We look forward to seeing the demands they might put on management to...

Alec Tseung

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Lawson & KDDI: Not Just Because Japanese E-Commerce Is an Omnichannel Model

​KDDI's offer with Lawson and Mitsubishi is a game-changer, including in e-commerce and retail media. Lawson's value may exceed the offer, as it...

Michael Causton

The Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure - KDDI and MitCorp to Take It Private

KDDI has announced a deal to buy out the remainder of the 50% not owned by MitCorp. They will split the company 50/50 going forward. Small premium....

Travis Lundy

Lawson (2651 JP): KDDI Corp (9433 JP) Pre-Conditional Tender Offer at JPY10,360

The offer is expected to start in April. Based on the irrevocables, the minimum acceptance condition requires a 30.2% minority acceptance rate,...

Arun George

2024 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of Japan into Hong Kong - Part 4

​In light of a weaker US and Japanese economy and a stronger Yen, sector allocation is crucial for Japanese portfolios this year. Certain sectors...

Rikki Malik

Lifenet: Oasis Management Is Now Another Major Shareholder Besides Effissimo

Effissimo Capital and Oasis Management now control >30% of Lifenet Insurance. We look forward to seeing the demands they might put on management to...

Alec Tseung

KDDI's offer with Lawson and Mitsubishi is a game-changer, including in e-commerce and retail media. Lawson's value may exceed the offer, as it...

In light of a weaker US and Japanese economy and a stronger Yen, sector allocation is crucial for Japanese portfolios this year. Certain sectors...