Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei was up +2.15% over the past week (-2% YTD): the yen was 1.2% weaker at ¥142/$</li>
<li>The news was focused on the sharp drop in the yen with even the BoJ Governor Kuroda noting some undesirable effects</li>
<li>The proportion of female directors rose to 9%, a slight increase over 7.4% in the previous year</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei was up +2.15% over the past week (-2% YTD): the yen was 1.2% weaker at ¥142/$
The news was focused on the sharp drop in the yen with even the BoJ Governor Kuroda noting some undesirable effects
The proportion of female directors rose to 9%, a slight increase over 7.4% in the previous year


Japan Weekly | Renova, Mitsubishi Motors, Mercari

Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

<ul>
<li>Within our coverage, NTT and Softbank Group are the main beneficiaries of a stronger dollar. NTT benefits operationally as it generates c. $18-20bn in overseas revenue</li>
<li>Softbank benefits in valuation terms as c. 90% of the portfolio is dollar-linked. The forex move from ¥115 to ¥144 boosts asset value by ¥2.4trn or  ¥1,500/share (net)</li>
<li>ECommerce play Mercari gets 30% of revenue from the US but that segment is losing money and a stronger dollar expands that on a yen P&amp;L</li>
</ul>


Within our coverage, NTT and Softbank Group are the main beneficiaries of a stronger dollar. NTT benefits operationally as it generates c. $18-20bn in overseas revenue
Softbank benefits in valuation terms as c. 90% of the portfolio is dollar-linked. The forex move from ¥115 to ¥144 boosts asset value by ¥2.4trn or  ¥1,500/share (net)
ECommerce play Mercari gets 30% of revenue from the US but that segment is losing money and a stronger dollar expands that on a yen P&amp;L


Japan Telecoms - Strong Dollar a Boon for NTT and Softbank Group, Bad for Mercari

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Mercari reported full year operating loss of ¥3.7b on sales of ¥147b, while providing no guidance for the coming year </li>
<li>We remain most concerned about the US business, where GMV is declining and losses look entrenched </li>
<li>Mercari JP is also clearly slowing, partly due to post-Covid, but also due to rising competition  </li>
</ul>


Mercari reported full year operating loss of ¥3.7b on sales of ¥147b, while providing no guidance for the coming year 
We remain most concerned about the US business, where GMV is declining and losses look entrenched 
Mercari JP is also clearly slowing, partly due to post-Covid, but also due to rising competition  


Mercari (4385) | No Path to Profitability

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>Zozo recorded its highest profit ever last year, countering the sceptics once again. </li>
<li>The company has shrugged off the uncertainties surrounding the departure of its founder and, while sticking to its core values, is looking for new growth beyond fashion e-commerce.</li>
<li>While there are some headwinds, Zozo has a solid set of strategies in place to offset these and find new growth streams.</li>
</ul>


Zozo recorded its highest profit ever last year, countering the sceptics once again. 
The company has shrugged off the uncertainties surrounding the departure of its founder and, while sticking to its core values, is looking for new growth beyond fashion e-commerce.
While there are some headwinds, Zozo has a solid set of strategies in place to offset these and find new growth streams.


Zozo: Social Fashion Commerce, Omnichannel and New Ventures

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The TOPIX Free-Float Rebalance for July will be executed tomorrow at the close. </li>
<li>There should be about US$3.5bn to trade one-way with 150+ names down-weighted, 36 names up-weighted, and one inclusion - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercari-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27149:1" rel="noopener">Mercari Inc (4385 JP)</a>.</li>
<li>The trade has performed well so far, and excess volume appears limited in most cases. It appears uncrowded.</li>
</ul>


The TOPIX Free-Float Rebalance for July will be executed tomorrow at the close. 
There should be about US$3.5bn to trade one-way with 150+ names down-weighted, 36 names up-weighted, and one inclusion - Mercari Inc (4385 JP).
The trade has performed well so far, and excess volume appears limited in most cases. It appears uncrowded.


TOPIX July Rebalance: Good Performance, Low Progression, Should Trade Right Way

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)

Japan Weekly | Renova, Mitsubishi Motors, Mercari

We take a look at the stocks that have performed well or poorly over the past week in the Japanese equity market. This week Renova was the star...

Mark Chadwick

Japan Telecoms - Strong Dollar a Boon for NTT and Softbank Group, Bad for Mercari

We have discussed strong dollar beneficiaries before but thought it worth revisiting with the dollar at a 24-year high. In short: better NTT...

Kirk Boodry

Mercari (4385) | No Path to Profitability

Mercari's domestic marketplace growth is clearly slowing. The US looks a long way from profitability and is also losing customer traction. The...

Mark Chadwick

TOPIX July Rebalance: Good Performance, Low Progression, Should Trade Right Way

The JULY TOPIX FFW Rebalance is tomorrow (28 July) at the close. It is $3.5bn one-way and the top 10 sells are all quite large. Excellent LOC...

Travis Lundy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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Japan Weekly | Renova, Mitsubishi Motors, Mercari

We take a look at the stocks that have performed well or poorly over the past week in the Japanese equity market. This week Renova was the star...

Mark Chadwick

Japan Telecoms - Strong Dollar a Boon for NTT and Softbank Group, Bad for Mercari

We have discussed strong dollar beneficiaries before but thought it worth revisiting with the dollar at a 24-year high. In short: better NTT...

Kirk Boodry

Mercari (4385) | No Path to Profitability

Mercari's domestic marketplace growth is clearly slowing. The US looks a long way from profitability and is also losing customer traction. The...

Mark Chadwick

Zozo: Social Fashion Commerce, Omnichannel and New Ventures

Zozo continues to confound sceptics. Despite slowing e-commerce growth post-Covid, Zozo has solid strategies in place to continue to expand and...

Michael Causton

TOPIX July Rebalance: Good Performance, Low Progression, Should Trade Right Way

The JULY TOPIX FFW Rebalance is tomorrow (28 July) at the close. It is $3.5bn one-way and the top 10 sells are all quite large. Excellent LOC...

Travis Lundy