Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The Ministry of Industry Affairs and Communications (MIC, the regulator) announced 5G spectrum allocations today with KDDI and NTT DoCoMo securing three bands and Rakuten and Softbank two, in line with one of the two expected scenarios we discussed last month.  This dramatically expands the spectrum portfolio for the industry and sets the stage for the deployment of 5G services in later this year and in 2020. We think all operators benefit although sentiment may favor Rakuten for receiving two more bands and KDDI/DoCoMo for receiving the highest allocations.

The Ministry of Industry Affairs and Communications (MIC, the regulator) announced 5G spectrum allocations today with KDDI and NTT DoCoMo securing three bands and Rakuten and Softbank two, in line with one of the two expected scenarios we discussed last month.  This dramatically expands the spectrum portfolio for the industry and sets the stage for the deployment of 5G services in later this year and in 2020. We think all operators benefit although sentiment may favor Rakuten for receiving two more bands and KDDI/DoCoMo for receiving the highest allocations. 

Japan 5G Spectrum Allocations In-Line With Expectations

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/31" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1">Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)</a> investee <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27999" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27999:1">Pinterest Inc (PINS US)</a>  has filed its IPO prospectus implying a lower valuation than its last venture round but a robust increase in value since Rakuten led the Series C round in May 2012. We think an initial ¥4bn investment could be worth ¥25-30bn at the midpoint of the suggested IPO range.  <ul>
<li>As with Lyft, the absolute value again and shift to greater liquidity are positive as it gives Rakuten more financial flexibility as it ramps up investments in the mobile business. </li>
<li>Unlike Lyft, the Pinterest IPO value is down from the latest funding round which impacts paper profits that provide cover for spending on mobile albeit at a fraction of the upside from Lyft.</li>
</ul>Pinterest doesn't generate the same headlines as Lyft but a second IPO of a Rakuten investment as its cash needs expand can only be good news

Rakuten Inc (4755 JP) investee Pinterest Inc (PINS US)  has filed its IPO prospectus implying a lower valuation than its last venture round but a robust increase in value since Rakuten led the Series C round in May 2012. We think an initial ¥4bn investment could be worth ¥25-30bn at the midpoint of the suggested IPO range.  
As with Lyft, the absolute value again and shift to greater liquidity are positive as it gives Rakuten more financial flexibility as it ramps up investments in the mobile business. 
Unlike Lyft, the Pinterest IPO value is down from the latest funding round which impacts paper profits that provide cover for spending on mobile albeit at a fraction of the upside from Lyft.
Pinterest doesn't generate the same headlines as Lyft but a second IPO of a Rakuten investment as its cash needs expand can only be good news

Rakuten IPO Redux: Pinterest Surfaces More Liquidity but Not Paper Profits

IPO and L/S equity, 2015 Starmine top stock picker, Global Equity Research Ltd

Rickin Thakrar

IPO and L/S equity, 2015 Starmine top stock picker

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

Below is a recap of the key analysis produced by the Global Equity Research team. This week, we update on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/24423" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24423:1">Lyft Inc (LYFT US)</a> now that it is below its IPO price and remind of the potentially muted impact for strategic holder <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/31" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1">Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)</a>. On the M&amp;A front, Arun digs into the conditional deal for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/20374" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20374:1">Lynas Corp Ltd (LYC AU)</a> from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/1104" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1104:1">Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU)</a>. With regards to IPO research, we initiate on e-commerce player <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27997" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27997:1">Yunji Inc. (YJ US)</a> and solar company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27808" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27808:1">Xinyi Energy Holdings Ltd (1671746D HK)</a> while we update on the IPO valuation of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27992" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27992:1">Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US)</a>. In addition, we have provided an updated calendar of upcoming catalysts for EVENT driven names below. Best of luck for the new week - Arun, Venkat and Rickin

Below is a recap of the key analysis produced by the Global Equity Research team. This week, we update on Lyft Inc (LYFT US) now that it is below its IPO price and remind of the potentially muted impact for strategic holder Rakuten Inc (4755 JP). On the M&amp;A front, Arun digs into the conditional deal for Lynas Corp Ltd (LYC AU) from Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU). With regards to IPO research, we initiate on e-commerce player Yunji Inc. (YJ US) and solar company Xinyi Energy Holdings Ltd (1671746D HK) while we update on the IPO valuation of Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US). In addition, we have provided an updated calendar of upcoming catalysts for EVENT driven names below. Best of luck for the new week - Arun, Venkat and Rickin

Last Week in GER Research: Lyft, Rakuten, Lynas, Yunji IPO, Xinyi IPO and Ruhnn IPO

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

ja research

ja research is an independent research platform focused exclusively on Japanese equities. Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, we provide insights on small and medium-sized companies that have been ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on larger companies. We also offer analyst and corporate access, the latter with translation if required. 

<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/083/132/original/2019-03-25_18-58-11.png?1553507902" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="83132"></figure>Source: Japan Analytics
</div>There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33 Information &amp; Communication sub-Sector but is broader in that it encompasses all companies listed on all sections and exchanges but is also narrower in that we have excluded Telecommunications (including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">S</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">oftbank Group (9984 JP)</a>) and Information Technology companies. We have adopted a 'quantamental' approach which covers the long-term and current trends for Japan's Internet Sector as a whole, as well as eight sub-Sectors or Peer Groups and the Sectors' leading companies by market capitalisation.  Our focus is exclusively on the locally-listed universe and is based on disclosed financial and market data. We do not provide any forecasts, other than the companies' own forecasts and we do not attempt to make any business model or strategic judgments. Our focus is purely on financial and market performance. We do not cover unlisted and defunct companies such as Livedoor and, therefore, there is implicit survivor bias in the data. The broad themes that are developed in DETAIL below are grouped into six topics as follows: - • SUMMARY •  • FUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEW •  • SCORING - RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS / RELATIVE PRICE •  • RESULTS TRENDS •  • VALUATION • • RECOMMENDATIONS •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/083/206/original/2019-03-25_17-46-58.png?1553565764" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="83206"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>OVERVIEW - As will be covered in greater DETAIL below, Japan has failed to evolve a substantial Internet Sector and, in many business models, has been passed by global competitors including in the home market. Although Internet Sector revenues have grown steadily and now account for close to 1% of the total for all listed companies, operating margins have declined by half in the last seven years and are now only four percentage points higher than the market average. Accordingly, as measured by our Results &amp; Revision Score, the Sector is close to a twelve-year low. The market's response is an unchanged Sector weight in the market composite despite the addition of 111 new companies in the last six years, and a Relative Price Score that has moved in a narrow range over that period. The Sector averages disguise the weak business and market performance of a handful of Sector leaders as well as the overvaluation of the Sector's more successful business models, which is partly a result of a lack of alternatives. Despite the world's most significant Internet investor - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>'s Vision Fund - being based in Japan, this fund and other global investors in Internet business have been right to give Japan a 'pass'.


Source: Japan Analytics
There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33 Information &amp; Communication sub-Sector but is broader in that it encompasses all companies listed on all sections and exchanges but is also narrower in that we have excluded Telecommunications (including Softbank Group (9984 JP)) and Information Technology companies. We have adopted a 'quantamental' approach which covers the long-term and current trends for Japan's Internet Sector as a whole, as well as eight sub-Sectors or Peer Groups and the Sectors' leading companies by market capitalisation.  Our focus is exclusively on the locally-listed universe and is based on disclosed financial and market data. We do not provide any forecasts, other than the companies' own forecasts and we do not attempt to make any business model or strategic judgments. Our focus is purely on financial and market performance. We do not cover unlisted and defunct companies such as Livedoor and, therefore, there is implicit survivor bias in the data. The broad themes that are developed in DETAIL below are grouped into six topics as follows: - • SUMMARY •  • FUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEW •  • SCORING - RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS / RELATIVE PRICE •  • RESULTS TRENDS •  • VALUATION • • RECOMMENDATIONS •Source: Japan AnalyticsOVERVIEW - As will be covered in greater DETAIL below, Japan has failed to evolve a substantial Internet Sector and, in many business models, has been passed by global competitors including in the home market. Although Internet Sector revenues have grown steadily and now account for close to 1% of the total for all listed companies, operating margins have declined by half in the last seven years and are now only four percentage points higher than the market average. Accordingly, as measured by our Results &amp; Revision Score, the Sector is close to a twelve-year low. The market's response is an unchanged Sector weight in the market composite despite the addition of 111 new companies in the last six years, and a Relative Price Score that has moved in a narrow range over that period. The Sector averages disguise the weak business and market performance of a handful of Sector leaders as well as the overvaluation of the Sector's more successful business models, which is partly a result of a lack of alternatives. Despite the world's most significant Internet investor - Softbank Group (9984 JP)'s Vision Fund - being based in Japan, this fund and other global investors in Internet business have been right to give Japan a 'pass'. 

🇯🇵 Japan • Internet Sector Review - 'Japan Passing'

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. 

E-commerce is set to account for 15% of retail sales in 2025, double the size of any other channel, and become the biggest channel for physical merchandise by 2023.
However, recent research, which considers online sales in a store context, suggests that already in 2016-17, 35.3% of all retail sales were at least partly a result of online interactions through an omnichannel process.
By 2024, total EC sales including omnichannel transactions are expected to hit 44.6% of all retail sales or approximately ¥76.4 trillion.

E-commerce is set to account for 15% of retail sales in 2025, double the size of any other channel, and become the biggest channel for physical merchandise by 2023.
However, recent research, which considers online sales in a store context, suggests that already in 2016-17, 35.3% of all retail sales were at least partly a result of online interactions through an omnichannel process.
By 2024, total EC sales including omnichannel transactions are expected to hit 44.6% of all retail sales or approximately ¥76.4 trillion.

Japan E-Commerce: Digital to Influence 45% of All Retail Sales by 2025

Japan

Rakuten Group, Inc. provides Internet services. The Company offers Internet finance services which including "Rakuten Card" and "Rakuten Bank". Rakuten Group also provides digital content services including electronic book services.

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Rakuten (4755 JP)

Japan 5G Spectrum Allocations In-Line With Expectations

The Ministry of Industry Affairs and Communications (MIC, the regulator) announced 5G spectrum allocations today with KDDI and NTT DoCoMo securing...

Kirk Boodry

Rakuten IPO Redux: Pinterest Surfaces More Liquidity but Not Paper Profits

Rakuten Inc (4755 JP) investee Pinterest Inc (PINS US) has filed its IPO prospectus implying a lower valuation than its last venture round but a...

Kirk Boodry

Last Week in GER Research: Lyft, Rakuten, Lynas, Yunji IPO, Xinyi IPO and Ruhnn IPO

Below is a recap of the key analysis produced by the Global Equity Research team. This week, we update on Lyft Inc (LYFT US) now that it is below...

Rickin Thakrar

🇯🇵 Japan • Internet Sector Review - 'Japan Passing'

There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33...

Campbell Gunn

Japan E-Commerce: Digital to Influence 45% of All Retail Sales by 2025

E-commerce is set to account for 15% of retail sales in 2025, double the size of any other channel, and become the biggest channel for physical...

Michael Causton

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