China/Asia TMT

Shawn Yang

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>We anticipate that the major swing factor of global e-commerce platform is the global expansion of Chinese e-commerce companies, including Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and TikTok Shop (or ‘STAT’).</li>
<li>The Japanese market is a good example. We upgraded Mercari to BUY because we believe that its second-hand eCommerce model addresses the issue of product supply.</li>
<li>We downgraded Z-Holdings to SELL as its B2C model lacks an advantage in product supply and has already lost market share.</li>
</ul>


We anticipate that the major swing factor of global e-commerce platform is the global expansion of Chinese e-commerce companies, including Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and TikTok Shop (or ‘STAT’).
The Japanese market is a good example. We upgraded Mercari to BUY because we believe that its second-hand eCommerce model addresses the issue of product supply.
We downgraded Z-Holdings to SELL as its B2C model lacks an advantage in product supply and has already lost market share.


[Blue Lotus Japanese E-Commerce Sector Update]: Facing the Competition from Chinese ECommerce STAT

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS. Nasdaq and SOX Plunged overnight; Nasdaq on Tesla, Neflix; SOX on TSMC Sentiment;   Has something broken?  US Leading Index saying recession near; China deflationary pressures; Russia escalates war</li>
<li>JAPAN. NKY Futures -0.5% disc vs Cash; USDJPY 140.1;  Eyes on BOJ  but indications are no tweak;  Nidec turns it around - strong 1Q; Raft of BUY calls from Street. </li>
<li>NUGGET. Japanese companies are hiring IR professionals as they face greater scrutiny from shareholders, the TSE, and regulators. Positive development that we see as an offshoot of the governance code.</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS. Nasdaq and SOX Plunged overnight; Nasdaq on Tesla, Neflix; SOX on TSMC Sentiment;   Has something broken?  US Leading Index saying recession near; China deflationary pressures; Russia escalates war
JAPAN. NKY Futures -0.5% disc vs Cash; USDJPY 140.1;  Eyes on BOJ  but indications are no tweak;  Nidec turns it around - strong 1Q; Raft of BUY calls from Street. 
NUGGET. Japanese companies are hiring IR professionals as they face greater scrutiny from shareholders, the TSE, and regulators. Positive development that we see as an offshoot of the governance code.


Ohayo Japan|Nasdaq, SOX Plunge-Did Something Finally Break?; NUGGET: In Demand in Japan - IR Talent

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS.  Disinflation Trade on as US PPI provides more tailwinds; Rates, USD Fall; Equites rally, More China Stimulus Coming ? Ripple resolution spurs Crypto bid; AI Wars: Meta Updates BARD</li>
<li>JAPAN. Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast Retailing numbers; Barclays see Sept BOJ tweek; Bullish Bank Initiations from UBS</li>
<li>NUGGET.  Hydrogen is a key part of JP Govt carbon zero strategy. We see KHI(7012) as a Hydrogen winner and see the recent pullback as a good entry opportunity</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS.  Disinflation Trade on as US PPI provides more tailwinds; Rates, USD Fall; Equites rally, More China Stimulus Coming ? Ripple resolution spurs Crypto bid; AI Wars: Meta Updates BARD
JAPAN. Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast Retailing numbers; Barclays see Sept BOJ tweek; Bullish Bank Initiations from UBS
NUGGET.  Hydrogen is a key part of JP Govt carbon zero strategy. We see KHI(7012) as a Hydrogen winner and see the recent pullback as a good entry opportunity


Ohayo Japan| Lower Rates, Higher Stocks; Crypto Optimism; NUGGET: Hydrogen Future - KHI(7012)Revisit

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. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Last year was pivotal for Yahoo Japan: despite record group performance, GTVs in e-commerce actually fell despite continued strong growth in the sector </li>
<li>In a recent survey, Amazon was the most frequently used e-commerce mall at 49.6%, followed by Rakuten (32%), but Yahoo was far, far below at just 9.8%.</li>
<li>Yahoo Shopping is now not only less popular with consumers, even merchants are dissatisfied – which is saying something when the service is essentially free.</li>
</ul>


Last year was pivotal for Yahoo Japan: despite record group performance, GTVs in e-commerce actually fell despite continued strong growth in the sector 
In a recent survey, Amazon was the most frequently used e-commerce mall at 49.6%, followed by Rakuten (32%), but Yahoo was far, far below at just 9.8%.
Yahoo Shopping is now not only less popular with consumers, even merchants are dissatisfied – which is saying something when the service is essentially free.


Z Holdings: Yahoo Shopping Falling Further Behind Amazon and Rakuten

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.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Group (4755 JP)</a>, having experienced an 80% decline in value over the last 8 years, now emerges as an enticing prospect for value investors.</li>
<li>The combined fair value of Rakuten's Cards, Bank, and Mobile businesses now surpasses 100% of the company's market capitalization.</li>
<li>Rakuten Ichiba, valued at ¥600bn, appears significantly undervalued when compared to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zozo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18379:1" rel="noopener">ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monotaro-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15441:1" rel="noopener">MonotaRO Co Ltd (3064 JP)</a>, which hold approximately 2.0x Rakuten Ichiba’s valuation.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Group (4755 JP), having experienced an 80% decline in value over the last 8 years, now emerges as an enticing prospect for value investors.
The combined fair value of Rakuten's Cards, Bank, and Mobile businesses now surpasses 100% of the company's market capitalization.
Rakuten Ichiba, valued at ¥600bn, appears significantly undervalued when compared to ZOZO Inc (3092 JP) and MonotaRO Co Ltd (3064 JP), which hold approximately 2.0x Rakuten Ichiba’s valuation.


Rakuten: An Attractive Value Opportunity After 80% Value Decline in 8 Years

Japan

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.

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LY (4689 JP)

[Blue Lotus Japanese E-Commerce Sector Update]: Facing the Competition from Chinese ECommerce STAT

We anticipate that the major swing factor of global e-commerce platform is the global expansion of Chinese e-commerce companies, including Shein,...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Ohayo Japan|Nasdaq, SOX Plunge-Did Something Finally Break?; NUGGET: In Demand in Japan - IR Talent

US tech sell off; Has something broken ? NKY Futures -0.5% disc vs Cash; USDJPY 140.1; Eyes on BOJ but indications are no tweak; Nidec turns it...

Mark Chadwick

Ohayo Japan| Lower Rates, Higher Stocks; Crypto Optimism; NUGGET: Hydrogen Future - KHI(7012)Revisit

Disinflation trade continues- Rates down, DXY down, Stocks up; Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast...

Mark Chadwick

Z Holdings: Yahoo Shopping Falling Further Behind Amazon and Rakuten

Z Holding's core e-commerce business is in trouble. Amazon and Rakuten are pulling further ahead and even merchants (who pay nothing) are unhappy....

Michael Causton

Rakuten: An Attractive Value Opportunity After 80% Value Decline in 8 Years

The combined fair value of Rakuten's Cards, Bank, and Mobile businesses now surpasses 100% of Rakuten's market capitalization.

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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