Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Japanese Internet companies are testing lows from the 2020 tech selloff whilst Rakuten stands out for reaching levels last seen in 2010</li>
<li>Z Holdings is at a two-year low but has fallen the same distance from its recent high (-53%) </li>
<li>Both face robust competition from Amazon, which has doubled its eCommerce GMV in Japan over the last four years (Rakuten +60%, core Z Holdings +47%)</li>
</ul>


Japanese Internet companies are testing lows from the 2020 tech selloff whilst Rakuten stands out for reaching levels last seen in 2010
Z Holdings is at a two-year low but has fallen the same distance from its recent high (-53%) 
Both face robust competition from Amazon, which has doubled its eCommerce GMV in Japan over the last four years (Rakuten +60%, core Z Holdings +47%)


Japan Internet - Fresh Lows for Many with Rakuten the Lowest Since 2010

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

NTT (Nippon Telegraph & Telephone) / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The three Japanese telecoms reported earnings this week. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27445:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Corp (9434 JP)</a> was disappointing (and slightly confusing). <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kddi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:639:1" rel="noopener">KDDI Corp (9433 JP)</a> was much of a muchness.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-telegraph-telephone-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:623:1" rel="noopener">NTT (Nippon Telegraph &amp; Telephone) (9432 JP)</a>  looked the best, and announced the largest buyback - ¥400bn or 3%. But it comes from a government sale, not the market. </li>
<li>Nevertheless, the company is doing what it promised and executing on its promise. And despite the "bullishness" in the revenue forecast, earnings forecasts to March 2023 look conservative.</li>
</ul>


The three Japanese telecoms reported earnings this week. Softbank Corp (9434 JP) was disappointing (and slightly confusing). KDDI Corp (9433 JP) was much of a muchness.

NTT (Nippon Telegraph &amp; Telephone) (9432 JP)  looked the best, and announced the largest buyback - ¥400bn or 3%. But it comes from a government sale, not the market. 
Nevertheless, the company is doing what it promised and executing on its promise. And despite the "bullishness" in the revenue forecast, earnings forecasts to March 2023 look conservative.


NTT (9432) - Salutary Earnings Salutary Buyback, More to Go

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Softbank Corp will meet its mid-term business plan commitment of ¥1,000bn in FY22 operating income but it needs a boost from valuation gains from PayPay to get there</li>
<li>Operationally, it is forecasting a 11% EBITDA decline driven by mobile revenue erosion and higher marketing expense with the lack of a growth contribution from Z Holdings apparent</li>
<li>The good news is the dividend is unchanged.  We expect a better story from NTT and KDDI later in the week but stable returns provide support</li>
</ul>


Softbank Corp will meet its mid-term business plan commitment of ¥1,000bn in FY22 operating income but it needs a boost from valuation gains from PayPay to get there
Operationally, it is forecasting a 11% EBITDA decline driven by mobile revenue erosion and higher marketing expense with the lack of a growth contribution from Z Holdings apparent
The good news is the dividend is unchanged.  We expect a better story from NTT and KDDI later in the week but stable returns provide support


Softbank Corp Q4 21 Results Reaction: Behind the Headlines, Disappointing Guidance

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>Monotaro’s 1Q22 topline was broadly in line with expectations but OP overshot consensus and company guidance by ¥355m and ¥396m respectively as SG&amp;A fell short of the plan by ¥435m.</li>
<li>Although the market treated <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> as a pandemic stock, it has stronger fundamentals than most pandemic winners.</li>
<li>Shares are not cheap enough to be outright bullish but it is still a decent long hedge to short many other low-quality names.</li>
</ul>


Monotaro’s 1Q22 topline was broadly in line with expectations but OP overshot consensus and company guidance by ¥355m and ¥396m respectively as SG&amp;A fell short of the plan by ¥435m.
Although the market treated MonotaRO Co Ltd (3064 JP) as a pandemic stock, it has stronger fundamentals than most pandemic winners.
Shares are not cheap enough to be outright bullish but it is still a decent long hedge to short many other low-quality names.


<ul>
<li>FY22 EBITDA guidance is disappointing as strategic investments accelerate yet again and leaving investors uncertain on whether previous guidance for FY23 can be met</li>
<li>We think ZHD's FY23 target of ¥ 390bn in EBITDA is reachable but a meaningful beat, which is factored into consensus, is less likely</li>
<li>So FY22 is another transition year but without the excitement on the potential for LINE as an alternative theme. It is better to be on the sidelines. </li>
</ul>


FY22 EBITDA guidance is disappointing as strategic investments accelerate yet again and leaving investors uncertain on whether previous guidance for FY23 can be met
We think ZHD's FY23 target of ¥ 390bn in EBITDA is reachable but a meaningful beat, which is factored into consensus, is less likely
So FY22 is another transition year but without the excitement on the potential for LINE as an alternative theme. It is better to be on the sidelines. 


Z Holdings Q4 21 Results Reaction: Growth Pushed Back a Year; Downgrade to Neutral

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.

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

LY (4689 JP)

Japan Internet - Fresh Lows for Many with Rakuten the Lowest Since 2010

Tech sector weakness amplifies concerns on competition for Rakuten and Z Holdings. Both are down 50%+ from recent highs with Rakuten at levels last...

Kirk Boodry

NTT (9432) - Salutary Earnings Salutary Buyback, More to Go

NTT (9432) reported salutary earnings, and forecasts to March 2023, and a ¥400bn ToSTNeT-3 buyback from the govt. There is accretion, a div hike,...

Travis Lundy

Softbank Corp Q4 21 Results Reaction: Behind the Headlines, Disappointing Guidance

Softbank Corp will meet its mid-term business plan commitment of ¥1,000bn in FY22 operating income but 11% EBITDA erosion before the impact of one...

Kirk Boodry

MonotaRo: Not a Pandemic Stock

With the share price down 51% from the peak at one point, markets discounted MonotaRo alongside the rest of the pandemic stocks, even though the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Z Holdings Q4 21 Results Reaction: Growth Pushed Back a Year; Downgrade to Neutral

Guidance for FY22 profitability growth is disappointing and whilst targets for the following year are probably achievable, a material beat is off...

Kirk Boodry

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)