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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>After surging past 20.0x consensus FY+2 EV/OP multiple in 2012-2013, <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>’s consensus FY+2 EV/OP has fallen below 20.0x on one very rare occasion.</li>
<li>We see no major change in the fundamentals of MonotaRo aside from a temporary hike in Opex through concurrently running old and new distribution centres for the past 3 quarters.</li>
<li>Currently trading at 22.5x consensus FY+2 OP, we think this is a good opportunity to benefit from the company’s depressed valuation.</li>
</ul>


After surging past 20.0x consensus FY+2 EV/OP multiple in 2012-2013, MonotaRO Co Ltd (3064 JP)’s consensus FY+2 EV/OP has fallen below 20.0x on one very rare occasion.
We see no major change in the fundamentals of MonotaRo aside from a temporary hike in Opex through concurrently running old and new distribution centres for the past 3 quarters.
Currently trading at 22.5x consensus FY+2 OP, we think this is a good opportunity to benefit from the company’s depressed valuation.


MonotaRo: Hasn’t Been This Cheap For Quite a Long Time

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

<ul>
<li>We reassess our long-term financial model for Monotaro following 2 consecutive months of weak monthly data</li>
<li>Just two months into the new fiscal year, but YTD sales growth of 13% is far short of the full year target</li>
<li>Our DCF valuation highlights further 21% downside assuming 10y CAGR of 10.5%</li>
</ul>


We reassess our long-term financial model for Monotaro following 2 consecutive months of weak monthly data
Just two months into the new fiscal year, but YTD sales growth of 13% is far short of the full year target
Our DCF valuation highlights further 21% downside assuming 10y CAGR of 10.5%


Monotaro (3064) | Pricing in Downside Risks

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Japanese stocks headed lower this weak on concerns about rising global interest rates and a looming recession</li>
<li>Euglena, a small cap Japanese bio-tech, has found itself as a key part of the future for biofuels and SAF. </li>
<li>Japanese Heavies are so diverse that they now fit into many thematic portfolios. KHI looks well placed in the hydrogen supply chain and carbon capture. Exciting times</li>
</ul>


Japanese stocks headed lower this weak on concerns about rising global interest rates and a looming recession
Euglena, a small cap Japanese bio-tech, has found itself as a key part of the future for biofuels and SAF. 
Japanese Heavies are so diverse that they now fit into many thematic portfolios. KHI looks well placed in the hydrogen supply chain and carbon capture. Exciting times


Japan Weekly | Euglena, Kawasaki Heavy, Monotaro

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

<ul>
<li>Shift offers outsourced software testing services and is the market leader in Japan. Software testing market is estimated at JPY5.5trn in Japan but only 1% of the market is outsourced.</li>
<li>The company has been rebranding itself from software testing provider to digital transformation (DX) and business services provider and this expansion has further potential to drive growth in the long-term.</li>
<li>Though Shift’s valuation multiples look expensive, we think there is further upside given the strong growth in top line alongside further improvement in margins.</li>
</ul>


Shift offers outsourced software testing services and is the market leader in Japan. Software testing market is estimated at JPY5.5trn in Japan but only 1% of the market is outsourced.
The company has been rebranding itself from software testing provider to digital transformation (DX) and business services provider and this expansion has further potential to drive growth in the long-term.
Though Shift’s valuation multiples look expensive, we think there is further upside given the strong growth in top line alongside further improvement in margins.


2023 High Conviction: Shift’s Growth Strategy Starting to Deliver Results

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei was up 0.6% last week (-2.1% YTD) while the yen weakened 1.2% to 135/$ </li>
<li>Prime Minister Kishida met with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China cancelled a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Japan and China.  </li>
<li>Record high temperatures of 40c, record high Covid cases, 575k people evacuated due to torrential rain &amp; flooding.....keep calm and carry on.</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei was up 0.6% last week (-2.1% YTD) while the yen weakened 1.2% to 135/$ 
Prime Minister Kishida met with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China cancelled a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Japan and China.  
Record high temperatures of 40c, record high Covid cases, 575k people evacuated due to torrential rain &amp; flooding.....keep calm and carry on.


Japan Stocks on the Move | Money Forward, Monotaro, CyberAgent

Japan

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

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MonotaRO Co Ltd (3064 JP)

MonotaRo: Hasn’t Been This Cheap For Quite a Long Time

After surging past 20.0x consensus FY+2 EV/OP multiple in 2012-2013, MonotaRo’s consensus FY+2 EV/OP has fallen below 20.0x on one very rare...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Monotaro (3064) | Pricing in Downside Risks

We reassess our long-term financial model for Monotaro following 2 consecutive months of weak monthly data. We see 20% downside risk to the stock...

Mark Chadwick

Japan Weekly | Euglena, Kawasaki Heavy, Monotaro

It's nearly Christmas, so Japanese equities should be rallying, but they are not. Maybe next week when everyone is on holiday. KHI, Monotaro,...

Mark Chadwick

2023 High Conviction: Shift’s Growth Strategy Starting to Deliver Results

Being the market leader and having created a barrier in the enterprise software testing segment, Shift is well positioned to benefit from strong...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Japan Stocks on the Move | Money Forward, Monotaro, CyberAgent

The Nikkei eked out a small gain last week despite negative macro conditions. 3 stocks in particular performed very well - MoneyForward, Monotaro,...

Mark Chadwick

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