Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Konica Minolta, a key player in the Japanese office equipment market, presents an attractive investment opportunity, particularly in light of the recent actions by activist investor Effissimo.</li>
<li>The investment case for Konica Minolta hinges on several factors, including potential structural reforms, M&amp;A activity, and undervaluation.</li>
<li>Given Effissimo's track record with Ricoh and the broader industry dynamics, the thesis for a bullish outlook on Konica Minolta is compelling.</li>
</ul>


Konica Minolta, a key player in the Japanese office equipment market, presents an attractive investment opportunity, particularly in light of the recent actions by activist investor Effissimo.
The investment case for Konica Minolta hinges on several factors, including potential structural reforms, M&amp;A activity, and undervaluation.
Given Effissimo's track record with Ricoh and the broader industry dynamics, the thesis for a bullish outlook on Konica Minolta is compelling.


Japan Value | Effissimo Takes Significant Stake in Konica

Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Lacklustre numbers for both Dell and HP show tapering demand for PC's.</li>
<li>Keisei Electric Rail snubbing Murakami with another 1% Oriental Land sale?</li>
<li>Nikon analysts meeting does little to clarify the intentions of EssilorLuxottic's 8.45% stake.</li>
</ul>


Lacklustre numbers for both Dell and HP show tapering demand for PC's.
Keisei Electric Rail snubbing Murakami with another 1% Oriental Land sale?
Nikon analysts meeting does little to clarify the intentions of EssilorLuxottic's 8.45% stake.


Japan Morning Connection: AI Edge Computing Is Failing to Drive PC Demand

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei 225 index dropped by 2.7% this week, closing at 37,913 points, due to political uncertainty ahead of Japan's general election, rising global bond yields, and disappointing economic data</li>
<li>Japan's weakening services and manufacturing sectors, as indicated by declining PMIs and easing inflation, highlight slowing domestic demand and economic uncertainty, raising concerns about future growth prospects.</li>
<li>Konica Minolta (4902): Gained 25% after activist investor, Effissimo Capital, declared a significant 5.8% stake in the company.</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei 225 index dropped by 2.7% this week, closing at 37,913 points, due to political uncertainty ahead of Japan's general election, rising global bond yields, and disappointing economic data
Japan's weakening services and manufacturing sectors, as indicated by declining PMIs and easing inflation, highlight slowing domestic demand and economic uncertainty, raising concerns about future growth prospects.
Konica Minolta (4902): Gained 25% after activist investor, Effissimo Capital, declared a significant 5.8% stake in the company.


Japan Weekly | Nikkei Drops; Political Uncertainty; Weakening Economy

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

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/roland-dg-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10653:1" rel="noopener">Roland DG Corp (6789 JP)</a> has re-recommended Taiyo’s revised offer of JPY5,370, which is 6.7% higher than its previous JPY5,035 offer and 3.3% higher than <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/brother-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6114:1" rel="noopener">Brother Industries (6448 JP)</a>’s JPY5,200 offer.</li>
<li>The Board articulates a compelling case on Brother's offer dis-synergies, which will help swing some shareholder opinion towards Taiyo (irrespective of the price). </li>
<li>Brother could bump, but it would not address the issue of satisfying the condition precedent (non-completion of Taiyo offer) and securing the Board's recommendation.  </li>
</ul>



Roland DG Corp (6789 JP) has re-recommended Taiyo’s revised offer of JPY5,370, which is 6.7% higher than its previous JPY5,035 offer and 3.3% higher than Brother Industries (6448 JP)’s JPY5,200 offer.
The Board articulates a compelling case on Brother's offer dis-synergies, which will help swing some shareholder opinion towards Taiyo (irrespective of the price). 
Brother could bump, but it would not address the issue of satisfying the condition precedent (non-completion of Taiyo offer) and securing the Board's recommendation.  


Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Bumps as Brother (6448 JP) Now Faces a Dilemma

<ul>
<li>On 19 April, Taiyo Co-CEO Brian Heywood told <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bidding-war-prompts-taiyo-consider-030026276.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg</a> and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-fund-taiyo-says-it-may-buy-into-brother-bid-niche-japanese-printer-2024-04-19/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a> they were considering three options to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/brother-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6114:1" rel="noopener">Brother Industries (6448 JP)</a>’s tender for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/roland-dg-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10653:1" rel="noopener">Roland DG Corp (6789 JP)</a>. </li>
<li>Taiyo’s options are bumping its offer, walking away or tendering into the Brother’s offer if it bumps and alleviates dis-synergies concerns.</li>
<li>All three options are likely a ruse. Taiyo’s primary play is to frustrate and pressure Brother to withdraw its bid if it cannot get the Board’s recommendation.</li>
</ul>


On 19 April, Taiyo Co-CEO Brian Heywood told Bloomberg and Reuters they were considering three options to Brother Industries (6448 JP)’s tender for Roland DG Corp (6789 JP). 
Taiyo’s options are bumping its offer, walking away or tendering into the Brother’s offer if it bumps and alleviates dis-synergies concerns.
All three options are likely a ruse. Taiyo’s primary play is to frustrate and pressure Brother to withdraw its bid if it cannot get the Board’s recommendation.


Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Mulling Three Options or Is It?

Japan

Konica Minolta Inc is mainly engaged in manufacturing office equipment and performance materials. It also operates health care businesses. The Company also makes copiers, personal computer peripherals, optical lenses, and measuring instruments.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Konica Minolta (4902 JP)

Japan Value | Effissimo Takes Significant Stake in Konica

Activist investor Effissimo's involvement in Konica Minolta presents an investment opportunity due to potential reforms, M&A activity, and...

Mark Chadwick

Japan Morning Connection: AI Edge Computing Is Failing to Drive PC Demand

PC demand is slowing as Dell and HP report lacklustre numbers, Keisei Electric Rail sells more Oriental Land shares, and Nikon's meeting leaves...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Weekly | Nikkei Drops; Political Uncertainty; Weakening Economy

Nikkei 225 falls 2.7% on political uncertainty, global bond yields, and weak economic data; Konica Minolta gains 25% after activist investor...

Mark Chadwick

Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Bumps as Brother (6448 JP) Now Faces a Dilemma

The shares are trading above Taiyo’s revised offer. Brother could bump but faces a dilemma as its tender offer (irrespective of price) now has a...

Arun George

Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Mulling Three Options or Is It?

Taiyo’s press interviews are a smokescreen for its primary tactic of frustrating and pressing Brother to withdraw its bid if it cannot get the...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japan Value | Effissimo Takes Significant Stake in Konica

​Activist investor Effissimo's involvement in Konica Minolta presents an investment opportunity due to potential reforms, M&A activity, and...

Mark Chadwick

Japan Morning Connection: AI Edge Computing Is Failing to Drive PC Demand

​PC demand is slowing as Dell and HP report lacklustre numbers, Keisei Electric Rail sells more Oriental Land shares, and Nikon's meeting leaves...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Weekly | Nikkei Drops; Political Uncertainty; Weakening Economy

​Nikkei 225 falls 2.7% on political uncertainty, global bond yields, and weak economic data; Konica Minolta gains 25% after activist investor...

Mark Chadwick

Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Bumps as Brother (6448 JP) Now Faces a Dilemma

The shares are trading above Taiyo’s revised offer. Brother could bump but faces a dilemma as its tender offer (irrespective of price) now has a...

Arun George

Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Mulling Three Options or Is It?

Taiyo’s press interviews are a smokescreen for its primary tactic of frustrating and pressing Brother to withdraw its bid if it cannot get the...

Arun George

Activist investor Effissimo's involvement in Konica Minolta presents an investment opportunity due to potential reforms, M&A activity, and...

PC demand is slowing as Dell and HP report lacklustre numbers, Keisei Electric Rail sells more Oriental Land shares, and Nikon's meeting leaves...

Nikkei 225 falls 2.7% on political uncertainty, global bond yields, and weak economic data; Konica Minolta gains 25% after activist investor...