Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Mercari's US operations, responsible for major losses, saw a workforce reduction by 45%, potentially preceding a market exit to improve overall margins.</li>
<li>Fintech growth is strong, with Mercari issuing over 3 million credit cards, achieving a 67% YoY credit balance increase, despite current operational losses</li>
<li>Mercari Hallo, an on-demand work platform, has rapidly gained users and business partners, positioning it to capitalize on Japan's growing gig economy.</li>
</ul>


Mercari's US operations, responsible for major losses, saw a workforce reduction by 45%, potentially preceding a market exit to improve overall margins.
Fintech growth is strong, with Mercari issuing over 3 million credit cards, achieving a 67% YoY credit balance increase, despite current operational losses
Mercari Hallo, an on-demand work platform, has rapidly gained users and business partners, positioning it to capitalize on Japan's growing gig economy.


Mercari (4385) | Fintech and Gig Economy as Key Catalysts

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. 

<ul>
<li>Mercard, the credit card launched by Mercari in late 2022, is a success, helping the the CtoC platform grow its user base and help add to Mercari's financial services business.</li>
<li>The rate of growth in online flea markets has slowed and competition has increased so relying on the CtoC platform alone won't deliver sufficient growth.</li>
<li>Mercari will introduce a new gig-work service this Spring to further differentiate its business from the likes of Rakuma and Yahoo Flea Market.</li>
</ul>


Mercard, the credit card launched by Mercari in late 2022, is a success, helping the the CtoC platform grow its user base and help add to Mercari's financial services business.
The rate of growth in online flea markets has slowed and competition has increased so relying on the CtoC platform alone won't deliver sufficient growth.
Mercari will introduce a new gig-work service this Spring to further differentiate its business from the likes of Rakuma and Yahoo Flea Market.


Mercari's Credit Card Boosts Sales, New Gig Worker Service to Add New Revenue Stream

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> investors are in a conundrum. The stock is doing well. With one quarter to go, the company just raised its full-year EPS target by 8.3%.</li>
<li>It also raised its H2 dividend by 20+% so the full-year div will be more than 20% higher than previously forecast and up 35+% since last year. All good. </li>
<li>Except for the selling. Potentially lots of selling. And more outperformance begets more selling. Then even more selling in 2024. And 2025? What about 2025? More outperformance begets more selling.</li>
</ul>



Fast Retailing (9983 JP) investors are in a conundrum. The stock is doing well. With one quarter to go, the company just raised its full-year EPS target by 8.3%.
It also raised its H2 dividend by 20+% so the full-year div will be more than 20% higher than previously forecast and up 35+% since last year. All good. 
Except for the selling. Potentially lots of selling. And more outperformance begets more selling. Then even more selling in 2024. And 2025? What about 2025? More outperformance begets more selling.


Fast Retailing UPs Forecasts, Which Creates A Sell/Short Opportunity

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercari-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27149:1" rel="noopener">Mercari Inc (4385 JP)</a> is potentially a leading candidate for inclusion in the Nikkei 225 in September. </li>
<li>There are other technical reasons to think it is not. </li>
<li>This insight looks at the issue of why it might be a leading candidate and why it might not be. </li>
</ul>



Mercari Inc (4385 JP) is potentially a leading candidate for inclusion in the Nikkei 225 in September. 
There are other technical reasons to think it is not. 
This insight looks at the issue of why it might be a leading candidate and why it might not be. 


Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Review - The Mercari Conundrum

<ul>
<li>The sell-side analyst community seems anchored to the view that Mercari is a growth stock</li>
<li>Analysts seem reluctant to turn negative on the name despite taking a large knife to earnings estimates</li>
<li>We repeat our view that the company faces a challenging couple of years and that the stock is still significantly overvalued</li>
</ul>


The sell-side analyst community seems anchored to the view that Mercari is a growth stock
Analysts seem reluctant to turn negative on the name despite taking a large knife to earnings estimates
We repeat our view that the company faces a challenging couple of years and that the stock is still significantly overvalued


Mercari (4385) | Analysts Anchored to Outdated Views

Japan

Takashimaya Company, Limited., founded in Kyoto in 1831, operates department stores.  The Company's main stores are located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Takashimaya also operates department stores in Paris, France, Singapore, China, Australia, and New York, USA.  The Company retails clothing, foods, art objects, sundry goods, and household utensils.  The Company also operates restaurants.

MARUI GROUP CO., LTD. operates department stores which sell clothing, accessories, home appliances, and food stuffs.  The Company also provides consumer loan services.  Marui Group operates in the Tokyo area.

H2O RETAILING CORPORATION founded in Osaka in 1929, operates railway terminal department stores.  The Company's main store is located at Hankyu terminal in Umeda (Osaka) and sells clothing, foods, sundry goods, furniture, and household utensils.  H2O Retailing also operates restaurants and coffee shops.

J. FRONT RETAILING CO., Ltd. is a holding company established through the merger of Daimaru and Matsuzakaya.  J. FRONT RETAILING operates department stores and supermarkets. The Company also manages subsidiaries which operate in wholesale businesses.

Seria Co., Ltd. operates 100 yen chain stores nationwide.   The Company also operates franchise business.  Seria's main product line includes household goods and snacks.

IZUMI CO., LTD. operates shopping centers mainly in the Chugoku area, selling food products, clothing, and household utensils.  The Company also operates real estate business and credit card services.

FUJI CO., LTD. operates shopping center chain mainly in the Shikoku and the Chugoku regions.  The Company mainly sells foodstuffs, clothing, and sundry goods.  Fuji also operates home entertainment stores, BACH, which sells books, CDs, videos, and video games.  The Company also operates sports fitness centers. The Company provides credit card service.

Kintetsu Department Store Co., Ltd. operates department stores mainly in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, and other Kansai prefectures. The Company sells clothing, foods, as well as other household items. Kintetsu Department Store also operates restaurants.

AEON KYUSHU CO.,LTD., a member of AEON Group, operates a supermarket chain based in Kyushu region.  The Company sells various type of merchandise including clothing, foodstuffs, and household utensils.

CAN DO CO., LTD. operates 100 Yen shop retail stores.  The Company also wholesales merchandises to franchise stores.  Can Do's product lines include household goods and dry foods.

Kohl's Corporation operates a chain of family-oriented department stores.  The Company's stores feature apparel, footwear and accessories for women, men and children; soft home products such as sheets and pillows; and housewares targeted to middle income customers.  Kohl's also offers online shopping as well as offers store credit cards.

Wangfujing Group Co., Ltd. owns and operates department stores in Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, and other cities in China.  The Company also develops residential real estate.

Woolworths Holdings Limited is a South African-based retail group. The Group, operates a chain of retail stores offering a selected range of clothing, food, homeware, beauty and financial services under its own brand name. The Company also owns a clothing and homeware retailer and has stores in selected African countries and the Middle East.

Golden Eagle Retail Group Limited operates department stores in China. The Company's stores target mid-range and high-end market segments in China, and contain various functions and amenities such as dining, entertainment, beauty and personal care, cinemas, and preschool education in addition to their core function as an international department store.

Lotte Shopping Co., Ltd. operates department stores and discount stores in South Korea.  The Company retails clothing, household goods, foods and other items through several branches.  Lotte Shopping also operates supermarkets and movie theaters.

Tianjin Quanye Bazaar (Group) Co., Ltd. owns and operates department stores and supermarkets, as well as sells general merchandise on a wholesale basis. Tianjin Quanye also provides storage and cargo delivery services, and invests in real estate and interior decoration businesses.

Far Eastern Department Stores Ltd. operates department stores in Taiwan. The Company sells clothing, household appliances, groceries, and home furnishing products.

Far Eastern Department Stores Ltd (2903 TT)

Guangzhou Friendship Group Co., Ltd operates supermarkets and department stores in Guangzhou, China.  The Company sells a variety of consumer products, including apparel, food and beverages, electronics, jewelry, cosmetics, and electric appliances.  Guangzhou Friendship also leases real estate properties.

Guangzhou Friendship Group Co, Ltd. (000987 CH)

Beijing Urban-Rural Trade Centre Co. Ltd. operates department stores and supermarkets. The Company also provides food and entertainment services, as well as develops real estate.

Beijing Urban Rural Trade Centre Co. (600861 CH)

Xian International Medical Investment Co Ltd is principally engaged in the medical services industry.

Xian International Medical Invest (000516 CH)

Mercari, Inc. operates as an electronic commercial company. The Company offers electronic commercial software, operation management, marketing planning, and other marketplace services. Mercari serves customers worldwide.

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Mercari (4385 JP)

Mercari (4385) | Fintech and Gig Economy as Key Catalysts

Mercari's US operations cut workforce by 45% to improve margins, while fintech growth remains strong and Mercari Hallo gains traction in Japan's...

Mark Chadwick

Mercari's Credit Card Boosts Sales, New Gig Worker Service to Add New Revenue Stream

Mercari's Mercard, is boosting the user base and fintech revenues, while the start of a gig-work service could mean a 3rd major revenue stream....

Michael Causton

Fast Retailing UPs Forecasts, Which Creates A Sell/Short Opportunity

Fast Retailing announced decent earnings for Q3 and upgraded forecasts for August 2023. It also raised its full-year dividend vs previous guidance....

Travis Lundy

Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Review - The Mercari Conundrum

Mercari is either a leading candidate for Nikkei 225 inclusion in September 2023. Or it is not. It depends on how you mash the data, interpret the...

Travis Lundy

Mercari (4385) | Analysts Anchored to Outdated Views

The analyst community remains too bullish on Mercari. We have a consensus Bearish view and see up to 40% downside from the stock.

Mark Chadwick

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Mercari (4385) | Fintech and Gig Economy as Key Catalysts

​Mercari's US operations cut workforce by 45% to improve margins, while fintech growth remains strong and Mercari Hallo gains traction in Japan's...

Mark Chadwick

Mercari's Credit Card Boosts Sales, New Gig Worker Service to Add New Revenue Stream

​Mercari's Mercard, is boosting the user base and fintech revenues, while the start of a gig-work service could mean a 3rd major revenue stream....

Michael Causton

Fast Retailing UPs Forecasts, Which Creates A Sell/Short Opportunity

Fast Retailing announced decent earnings for Q3 and upgraded forecasts for August 2023. It also raised its full-year dividend vs previous guidance....

Travis Lundy

Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Review - The Mercari Conundrum

Mercari is either a leading candidate for Nikkei 225 inclusion in September 2023. Or it is not. It depends on how you mash the data, interpret the...

Travis Lundy

Mercari (4385) | Analysts Anchored to Outdated Views

The analyst community remains too bullish on Mercari. We have a consensus Bearish view and see up to 40% downside from the stock.

Mark Chadwick

Mercari's US operations cut workforce by 45% to improve margins, while fintech growth remains strong and Mercari Hallo gains traction in Japan's...

Mercari's Mercard, is boosting the user base and fintech revenues, while the start of a gig-work service could mean a 3rd major revenue stream....