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.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nagatanien-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8059:1" rel="noopener">Nagatanien Holdings (2899 JP)</a> recommended a Marunouchi Capital-sponsored MBO at JPY3,100, a 38.4% premium to the undisturbed price. </li>
<li>The transaction is a two-step acquisition through a cash tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out. The offer period is from 4 June to 16 July.</li>
<li>While not a knockout bid, the offer represents a five-year high and requires a 58% minority acceptance rate. This is a done deal with payment commencing from 23 July.  </li>
</ul>



Nagatanien Holdings (2899 JP) recommended a Marunouchi Capital-sponsored MBO at JPY3,100, a 38.4% premium to the undisturbed price. 
The transaction is a two-step acquisition through a cash tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out. The offer period is from 4 June to 16 July.
While not a knockout bid, the offer represents a five-year high and requires a 58% minority acceptance rate. This is a done deal with payment commencing from 23 July.  


Nagatanien Holdings (2899 JP): Marunouchi Capital-Sponsored MBO at JPY3,100

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>MitCorp - the largest shareholder - and the Nagatani family - today announced an MBO where they will buy a classic ubiquitous brand at an Adjusted EV of 5.4x EBITDA.</li>
<li>The equity check appears to buy at ~2.5x Mar27-29 average FCF but they probably have 50% of the shares in the bag. Retail, or who they sell to, matter.</li>
<li>There is room for a noisy activist to get involved here and disrupt the retail ownership. But there are very few of those around. And none in it now.</li>
</ul>


MitCorp - the largest shareholder - and the Nagatani family - today announced an MBO where they will buy a classic ubiquitous brand at an Adjusted EV of 5.4x EBITDA.
The equity check appears to buy at ~2.5x Mar27-29 average FCF but they probably have 50% of the shares in the bag. Retail, or who they sell to, matter.
There is room for a noisy activist to get involved here and disrupt the retail ownership. But there are very few of those around. And none in it now.


Another Day Ending in Y, Another MBO Done Too Cheap. Today? Nagatanien (2899 JP).

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>ECM developments: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/modec-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2840:1" rel="noopener">Modec Inc (6269 JP)</a> prices its US$535 million secondary offering.</li>
<li>Event-Driven developments: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-henlius-biotech-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27888:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Henlius Biotech (2696 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-television-network-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12953:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Television Network (1137 HK)</a>. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sciclone-pharmaceuticals-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17351:1" rel="noopener">Sciclone Pharmaceuticals (6600 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kfc-holdings-japan-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12358:1" rel="noopener">Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/best-world-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4600:1" rel="noopener">Best World International (BEST SP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/propertyguru-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28149:1" rel="noopener">PropertyGuru (PGRU US)</a>. </li>
</ul>


A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.
ECM developments: Modec Inc (6269 JP) prices its US$535 million secondary offering.
Event-Driven developments: Shanghai Henlius Biotech (2696 HK), Hong Kong Television Network (1137 HK). Sciclone Pharmaceuticals (6600 HK), Kfc Holdings Japan (9873 JP), Best World International (BEST SP), PropertyGuru (PGRU US). 


Weekly Deals Digest (26 May) - Henlius, HKTV, SciClone, KFC, Best World, PropertyGuru, Modec

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, 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>The Japanese Financial Services Agency has asked the general insurers to reduce/eliminate their cross-shareholdings.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokio-marine-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7591:1" rel="noopener">Tokio Marine Holdings (8766 JP)</a> had a stake over US$100m in at least 33 listed Japanese stocks, amounting to a total of US$16.5bn.</li>
<li>In this note, we take a look at its stakes in various companies to see which ones could possibly be candidates for further selldowns.</li>
</ul>


The Japanese Financial Services Agency has asked the general insurers to reduce/eliminate their cross-shareholdings.

Tokio Marine Holdings (8766 JP) had a stake over US$100m in at least 33 listed Japanese stocks, amounting to a total of US$16.5bn.
In this note, we take a look at its stakes in various companies to see which ones could possibly be candidates for further selldowns.


Tokio Marine Cross-Shareholding - At Least US$18bn of Cross-Shareholding to Sell

Japan

Sumitomo Corp is a general trading company.  The Company imports and exports a wide variety of goods such as metals, machinery, chemicals, fuel,food products, and textiles.  Sumitomo also operates real estate, construction, shipping, insurance, finance, and leasing businesses.

Marubeni Corporation is a trading company with business divisions in iron & steel, information technology, utility & infrastructure, energy, food, metals & mineral resources, development & construction, and chemicals.  The Company markets its products globally through a network of sales offices and representative firms.

TOYOTA TSUSHO CORPORATION, a member of the Toyota Group, is a trading company. The Company markets automobiles, trucks, steel products, industrial machinery, chemical products, and energy in both domestic and overseas markets.  Toyota Tsusho primarily exports Toyota cars to Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, and Latin America.

ITOCHU Corporation is a general trading firm handling textiles, wood, machinery, metals, food, chemicals, construction materials, commodities, and energy related products such as oil and gas. The Company operates around the world. Itochu diversifies by operating in satellite communication and data communication businesses.

MITSUI & CO., LTD. is a general trading company.  The Company has operating groups including Iron and Steel, Non-Ferrous Metals, Machinery, Chemicals, Foods, Energy, Textiles, and General Merchandise.  Mitsui also operates real estate and overseas development projects.

MonotaRO Co., Ltd. mainly sells machine tools, engine parts, and factory consumable goods on the web site.

Sojitz Corporation is a general trading company.  The Company has business divisions such as Machinery & Aerospace, Energy & Mineral Resources, Chemicals & Plastics, Real Estate Development & Forest Products, Consumer Lifestyle Business, and New Business Development Group.  Sojitz was formed through the business integration between Nichimen and Nissho Iwai.

MISUMI Group Inc. distributes precision machinery parts by mail order. The products include a variety of components such as press die, plastic mold, automated machinery, pc & network, and wiring.  The Company also sells supplies for factories, hospitals, and restaurants and semi-conductors by mail order.

IWATANI CORPORATION is a trading company supplying gases for industrial and household use.  The Company also handles fuel, consumer products, industrial materials, minerals, construction, agriculture, and medical products.  Iwatani produces liquid hydrogen with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

NAGASE & COMPANY, LTD. is a trading firm specializing in chemical products such as dyestuff, synthetic resins and rubber, and inorganic and organic chemicals.  The Company also handles electronics such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment and liquid crystal display (LCD) materials, as well as health care products such as cosmetics and medical equipment.

Adani Enterprises Limited is an international trading house that operates from offices in India as well as other countries. The Company is involved in coal mining, cargo handling and power generation.  Adani also trades in a large number of products including textiles, energy, metals and agricultural products.

United Rentals, Inc., through its subsidiary, is an equipment rental company operating a network of locations in the United States and Canada.  The Company serves the construction industry, industrial and commercial concerns, homeowners, and other individuals.

Fastenal Company sell industrial and construction supplies in a wholesale and retail fashion.  The Company markets its products and services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Singapore, China, and The Netherlands.

Watsco, Inc. distributes air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment, as well as related parts and supplies.  The Company operates various locations in the United States, with primary markets in the Sunbelt.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. distributes maintenance, repair and operating supplies, and related information to the commercial, industrial, contractor, and institutional markets in North America.  The Company's products include motors, HVAC equipment, lighting, hand and power tools, pumps, and electrical equipment.

Ashtead Group Plc is an international equipment rental company servicing customers nationwide in the US and the UK. The Company rents construction and industrial equipment. Ashtead generates approximately 85% of its revenue in the US through its subsidiary, Sunbelt Rentals with 388 locations across the US. The Group's UK business, A-Plant, has 106 locations nationwide.

Bunzl plc is a distribution group supplying a range of non-food consumable products for customers to operate their businesses but which they do not actually sell. The Company partners with both suppliers and customers in providing outsourcing solutions and service oriented distribution. Bunzl's main customer markets include grocery, foodservice, cleaning and safety.

AerCap Holdings NV is the world's largest aircraft leasing firm by fleet value, and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER). It has its headquarters in Dublin with offices in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Shannon, Fort Lauderdale, Singapore, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Seattle and Toulouse.

Ferguson PLC distributes HVAC and industrial supplies. The Company offers products for heating and ventilation, fabrication, facilities supply, and residential construction. Ferguson serves customers in North America.

Ashtead Group plc operates as an international equipment rental company. The Company rents construction and industrial equipment. Ashtead Group serves customers in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Mitsubishi Corporation is a general trading company.  The Company has business groups such as New Business Initiatives, IT & Electronics, Fuels, Metals, Machinery, Chemicals, Living Essentials, and Professional Services.  Mitsubishi diversifies by satellite communications through a joint venture.

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

Mitsubishi Corp (8058 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

Nagatanien Holdings (2899 JP): Marunouchi Capital-Sponsored MBO at JPY3,100

While not a knockout bid, the offer represents a five-year high and requires a 58% minority acceptance rate. This is a done deal with payment...

Arun George

Another Day Ending in Y, Another MBO Done Too Cheap. Today? Nagatanien (2899 JP).

MBOs are a pox on the governance of Japan. Boards never put them up for auction the way they put up companies when management is unhappy with...

Travis Lundy

Weekly Deals Digest (26 May) - Henlius, HKTV, SciClone, KFC, Best World, PropertyGuru, Modec

Last week, notable developments occurred in Event-Driven (Henlius, HKTV, SciClone, KFC, Best World, PropertyGuru) and ECM (Modec).

Arun George

Tokio Marine Cross-Shareholding - At Least US$18bn of Cross-Shareholding to Sell

Tokio Marine today announced that it aims to cut its cross-shareholding to zero by FY2029. It will aim to sell 50% of its holdings worth around...

Sumeet Singh

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

Nagatanien Holdings (2899 JP): Marunouchi Capital-Sponsored MBO at JPY3,100

While not a knockout bid, the offer represents a five-year high and requires a 58% minority acceptance rate. This is a done deal with payment...

Arun George

Another Day Ending in Y, Another MBO Done Too Cheap. Today? Nagatanien (2899 JP).

MBOs are a pox on the governance of Japan. Boards never put them up for auction the way they put up companies when management is unhappy with...

Travis Lundy

Weekly Deals Digest (26 May) - Henlius, HKTV, SciClone, KFC, Best World, PropertyGuru, Modec

Last week, notable developments occurred in Event-Driven (Henlius, HKTV, SciClone, KFC, Best World, PropertyGuru) and ECM (Modec).

Arun George

Tokio Marine Cross-Shareholding - At Least US$18bn of Cross-Shareholding to Sell

Tokio Marine today announced that it aims to cut its cross-shareholding to zero by FY2029. It will aim to sell 50% of its holdings worth around...

Sumeet Singh

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