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 will complete its acquisition of a 50% share in Lawson this month and the chain will then delist.</li>
<li>KDDI is promising a rapid introduction of services and fresh ideas to leverage its new retail arm.</li>
<li>It will begin by unifying premium loyalty point membership under the Ponta brand and offer new services that it hopes will help boost share. What out LY.</li>
</ul>


KDDI will complete its acquisition of a 50% share in Lawson this month and the chain will then delist.
KDDI is promising a rapid introduction of services and fresh ideas to leverage its new retail arm.
It will begin by unifying premium loyalty point membership under the Ponta brand and offer new services that it hopes will help boost share. What out LY.


KDDI and Lawson: Loyalty Points Just the Start

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.

Equity Capital Markets

Webtoon Entertainment / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/webtoon-entertainment-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43652:1" rel="noopener">Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US)</a> is a global storytelling platform. Webtoon has launched a Nasdaq IPO to raise US$270-315 million at a US$18.00 to US$21.00 price range.</li>
<li>We previously discussed the IPO in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/webtoon-entertainment-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:146038" rel="noopener">Webtoon Entertainment IPO: The Bull Case</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/webtoon-entertainment-wbtn-us-ipo-the-bear-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:149092" rel="noopener">Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) IPO: The Bear Case</a>.</li>
<li>In this note, we outline our forecasts and valuation. Our valuation analysis suggests that Webtoon is attractively valued at the IPO price range.</li>
</ul>



Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) is a global storytelling platform. Webtoon has launched a Nasdaq IPO to raise US$270-315 million at a US$18.00 to US$21.00 price range.
We previously discussed the IPO in Webtoon Entertainment IPO: The Bull Case and Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) IPO: The Bear Case.
In this note, we outline our forecasts and valuation. Our valuation analysis suggests that Webtoon is attractively valued at the IPO price range.


Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) IPO: Valuation Insights

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/webtoon-entertainment-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43652:1" rel="noopener">Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US)</a>, a global storytelling platform, seeks to raise up to US$500 million through a Nasdaq IPO.</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/webtoon-entertainment-ipo-the-bull-case" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:146038" rel="noopener">Webtoon Entertainment IPO: The Bull Case</a>, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.</li>
<li>The bear case rests on declining organic revenue, declining Korean paying ratio, a peaking Japan growth driver, optimistic market sizing, and unsustainable low marketing spending.</li>
</ul>



Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US), a global storytelling platform, seeks to raise up to US$500 million through a Nasdaq IPO.
In Webtoon Entertainment IPO: The Bull Case, we highlighted the key elements of the bull case. In this note, we outline the bear case.
The bear case rests on declining organic revenue, declining Korean paying ratio, a peaking Japan growth driver, optimistic market sizing, and unsustainable low marketing spending.


Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) IPO: The Bear Case

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/webtoon-entertainment-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43652:1" rel="noopener">Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US)</a>, a global storytelling platform, seeks to raise up to US$500 million through a Nasdaq IPO.</li>
<li>Webtoon is the leading web-comic player in all its major geographies, including Korea, the US and Japan. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ly-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19603:1" rel="noopener">LY (4689 JP)</a> are the primary shareholders.</li>
<li>The bull case rests on a large TAM, rising monthly active users, strong constant currency growth supported by monetisation initiatives, a shift to profitability, and cash generation.</li>
</ul>



Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US), a global storytelling platform, seeks to raise up to US$500 million through a Nasdaq IPO.
Webtoon is the leading web-comic player in all its major geographies, including Korea, the US and Japan. Naver Corp (035420 KS) and LY (4689 JP) are the primary shareholders.
The bull case rests on a large TAM, rising monthly active users, strong constant currency growth supported by monetisation initiatives, a shift to profitability, and cash generation.


APAC IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Ethan Aw

APAC IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/webtoon-entertainment-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43652:1" rel="noopener">Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US)</a> is looking to raise up to US$500m in its US IPO.</li>
<li>Webtoon Entertainment is a global storytelling platform where a community of creators and users discover, create and share new content.</li>
<li>In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.</li>
</ul>



Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) is looking to raise up to US$500m in its US IPO.
Webtoon Entertainment is a global storytelling platform where a community of creators and users discover, create and share new content.
In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.


Webtoon Entertainment Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Korea Revenue Declined, JP Acquisition to the Rescue

Japan

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.

Stream Media Corporation provides management of artists events and medias. The Company manages activities of Korean artists in Japan, and plans and organizes activities including their music and appearances at events, official mobile sites,  fan club sites, and others in commercials. Stream Media also provides Korean channel broadcasting services,

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

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.

Vision Inc. provides a variety of telecommunication services, including fixed-line telecom, wireless telecom and wifi services. The company also provides distribution and lease service of office equipments and communications equipments.

FreeBit Co., Ltd. provides Internet connectivity outsourcing services for Internet service providers.  The Company also offers ubiquitous networking environment.  FreeBit provides consulting services for Internet related businesses as well.

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

Broadmedia Corporation provides broadband service, CDN (contents delivery network), and media contents belonging to Softbank broadcasting. Broadmedia also markets game on demand service.

BroadBand Tower, Inc. operates Internet data centers to provide space services and Internet connectivity services.  The Company also distributes video contents on the Internet.

FORVAL TELECOM, INC. is a telecommunication services reseller, and provides discount international and domestic telephone and cellular phone services for the business and private sectors.  The Company also sells prepaid telephone cards and calling card services, and also does network and systems consulting.

Snap Inc. provides technology and social media services. The Company develops mobile camera application products and services that allow users to send and receive photos, drawings, text, and videos. Snap serves customers worldwide.

CAR Group Limited operates as a digital marketplace for vehicles. The Company provides a diversified portfolio of brands to sell and buy cars. CAR Group serves customers worldwide.

Match Group, Inc. is a dating service provider. The Company offers diverse portfolio of apps and services which enables connections across the spectrum of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, and backgrounds. Match Group serves customers worldwide.

Pinterest, Inc. operates and maintains social networking site. The Company provides online venue for personal photos, ideas, oddities, decorations, places to visit, recipes, and other items. Pinterest serves customers worldwide.

IAC Inc operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides media and Internet services. IAC serves customers worldwide.

Domain Holdings Australia Limited offers multi-platform property solutions. The Company operates an online portal that delivers property marketing solutions for residential, new development, and commercial properties. Domain Holdings Australia serves buyers, sellers, renters, and investors in Australia.

EverQuote, Inc. operates as an Internet based marketing firm. The Company, through its platform, enables consumers to connect with auto insurance carriers and agents to meet their auto insurance needs. EverQuote serves customers in the United States.

Hello Group Inc. operates as a mobile-based social networking platform. The Company enables users to establish and expand social relationships based on location and interests. Hello Group operates out of the Peoples Republic of China.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company. The Company offers live wrestling events, television programming, music publishing, advertising, licensing, and home video streaming services. World Wrestling distributes its programs worldwide in various languages.

Fox Corporation operates as an entertainment company. The Company produces and licenses news, sports, and entertainment content for distribution through cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators, telecommunications companies, and online video distributors. Fox also manages broadcast studios, theaters, editing bays, sound stages, and other production facilities.

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)

KDDI and Lawson: Loyalty Points Just the Start

KDDI's acquisition of 50% of Lawson completes this month, promising innovative services with the Ponta loyalty program the first step and the base...

Michael Causton

Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) IPO: Valuation Insights

Webtoon has launched a Nasdaq IPO to raise US$270-315m at an US$18.00 to US$21.00 price range. Our valuation analysis suggests that Webtoon is...

Arun George

Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) IPO: The Bear Case

The bear case rests on declining organic revenue, declining Korean paying ratio, a peaking Japan growth driver, optimistic market sizing, and...

Arun George

Webtoon Entertainment IPO: The Bull Case

The bull case rests on a large TAM, rising monthly active users, strong constant currency growth supported by monetisation initiatives, a shift to...

Arun George

Webtoon Entertainment Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Korea Revenue Declined, JP Acquisition to the Rescue

Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) is looking to raise up to US$500m in its US IPO. In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.

Ethan Aw

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

KDDI and Lawson: Loyalty Points Just the Start

​KDDI's acquisition of 50% of Lawson completes this month, promising innovative services with the Ponta loyalty program the first step and the base...

Michael Causton

Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) IPO: Valuation Insights

Webtoon has launched a Nasdaq IPO to raise US$270-315m at an US$18.00 to US$21.00 price range. Our valuation analysis suggests that Webtoon is...

Arun George

Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) IPO: The Bear Case

The bear case rests on declining organic revenue, declining Korean paying ratio, a peaking Japan growth driver, optimistic market sizing, and...

Arun George

Webtoon Entertainment IPO: The Bull Case

The bull case rests on a large TAM, rising monthly active users, strong constant currency growth supported by monetisation initiatives, a shift to...

Arun George

Webtoon Entertainment Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Korea Revenue Declined, JP Acquisition to the Rescue

Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) is looking to raise up to US$500m in its US IPO. In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.

Ethan Aw

KDDI's acquisition of 50% of Lawson completes this month, promising innovative services with the Ponta loyalty program the first step and the base...