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>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)</a> is currently trading 20% below the bottom end of the long term trend channel.</li>
<li>With consensus FY+2 EBITDA at ¥309.8bn, Rakuten’s current EV/EBITDA is at an all-time low of 1.7x compared to the historical median and peak of 9.0x and 16.1x respectively.</li>
<li>Based on the consensus FY+2 EBITDA and EV trend, we feel the fair valuation of Rakuten could be somewhere around ¥3,000bn EV.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Inc (4755 JP) is currently trading 20% below the bottom end of the long term trend channel.
With consensus FY+2 EBITDA at ¥309.8bn, Rakuten’s current EV/EBITDA is at an all-time low of 1.7x compared to the historical median and peak of 9.0x and 16.1x respectively.
Based on the consensus FY+2 EBITDA and EV trend, we feel the fair valuation of Rakuten could be somewhere around ¥3,000bn EV.


Rakuten: At a New Forward EV/EBITDA Bottom

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>Kakao Bank (KB) is South Korea’s largest digital bank. It's a subsidiary of Kakao, which holds a 27.3% stake post listing.</li>
<li>It is a branchless digital bank that only started operations in 2017. As of Sep 21, it had a loan book of US$21bn, deposit base of US$24bn and 17.4m customers.</li>
<li>Even though Kakao started operations only in July 2017, by 2020 it had already garnered more than 1% market share of overall loans and deposits in South Korea.</li>
</ul>


Kakao Bank (KB) is South Korea’s largest digital bank. It's a subsidiary of Kakao, which holds a 27.3% stake post listing.
It is a branchless digital bank that only started operations in 2017. As of Sep 21, it had a loan book of US$21bn, deposit base of US$24bn and 17.4m customers.
Even though Kakao started operations only in July 2017, by 2020 it had already garnered more than 1% market share of overall loans and deposits in South Korea.


2022 High Conviction - Kakao Bank - A Long Way to Go

Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

<ul>
<li>H1 Results improved but did not raise guidance for the FY</li>
<li>Insurance subsidiary surprised with a buyback of shares after strong results</li>
<li>Bank subsidiary profits improved as expected as interest rates increase</li>
</ul>


H1 Results improved but did not raise guidance for the FY
Insurance subsidiary surprised with a buyback of shares after strong results
Bank subsidiary profits improved as expected as interest rates increase


Japan Post Holdings - Guidance Continues to Underwhelm

Equity Capital Markets

FineToday Holdings Co Ltd / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>CVC Capital is aiming to raise over US$500m, via selling some of its stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/finetoday-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44092:1" rel="noopener">FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP)</a> in Japan.</li>
<li>FineToday (FT) is a beauty and personal care company in Asia offering a range of products, including hair care, skin care and body care products.</li>
<li>In this note, we talk about the positive aspects of the deal.</li>
</ul>


CVC Capital is aiming to raise over US$500m, via selling some of its stake in FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP) in Japan.
FineToday (FT) is a beauty and personal care company in Asia offering a range of products, including hair care, skin care and body care products.
In this note, we talk about the positive aspects of the deal.


FineToday Pre-IPO - The Positives - Established Brands Across Multiple Regions

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Murakami to tender stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jsr-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17620:1" rel="noopener">JSR Corp (4185 JP)</a>? Maybe the "double arb": i.e. short on swap, long on cash, will tender the cash, remain short the back end.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/austal-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14420:1" rel="noopener">Austal Ltd (ASB AU)</a> rejected (for now) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanwha-ocean-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12531:1" rel="noopener">Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS)</a>'s bid based on regulatory concerns.  Hanwha reckons these should not be an issue.</li>
<li>If you can tolerate owning the mobile biz, buy <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten (4755 JP)</a> on dips. If not, avoid Rakuten Group and Rakuten Bank short-term; buy Rakuten Bank on larger dips.</li>
</ul>


Murakami to tender stake in JSR Corp (4185 JP)? Maybe the "double arb": i.e. short on swap, long on cash, will tender the cash, remain short the back end.

Austal Ltd (ASB AU) rejected (for now) Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS)'s bid based on regulatory concerns.  Hanwha reckons these should not be an issue.
If you can tolerate owning the mobile biz, buy Rakuten (4755 JP) on dips. If not, avoid Rakuten Group and Rakuten Bank short-term; buy Rakuten Bank on larger dips.


Last Week in Event SPACE: JSR, Austal, Rakuten, Hyundai Home Shopping, Hanmi Science

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)

Rakuten: At a New Forward EV/EBITDA Bottom

After falling 6% following Q4 earnings and 39% since March 2021 to ¥945 per share, Rakuten seems an attractive bet on the long side in the Japanese...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

2022 High Conviction - Kakao Bank - A Long Way to Go

Kakao Bank (KB) is South Korea’s largest digital bank. It's a subsidiary of Kakao, which holds a 27.3% stake post listing.

Sumeet Singh

Japan Post Holdings - Guidance Continues to Underwhelm

Company's H1 results show improvement, but no guidance raise for FY; Financial subsidiaries gain from interest rate increases but holding company...

Rikki Malik

FineToday Pre-IPO - The Positives - Established Brands Across Multiple Regions

CVC Capital is aiming to raise over US$500m, via selling some of its stake in FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP) in Japan. In this note, we talk...

Sumeet Singh

Last Week in Event SPACE: JSR, Austal, Rakuten, Hyundai Home Shopping, Hanmi Science

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Rakuten: At a New Forward EV/EBITDA Bottom

After falling 6% following Q4 earnings and 39% since March 2021 to ¥945 per share, Rakuten seems an attractive bet on the long side in the Japanese...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

2022 High Conviction - Kakao Bank - A Long Way to Go

Kakao Bank (KB) is South Korea’s largest digital bank. It's a subsidiary of Kakao, which holds a 27.3% stake post listing.

Sumeet Singh

Japan Post Holdings - Guidance Continues to Underwhelm

​Company's H1 results show improvement, but no guidance raise for FY; Financial subsidiaries gain from interest rate increases but holding company...

Rikki Malik

FineToday Pre-IPO - The Positives - Established Brands Across Multiple Regions

CVC Capital is aiming to raise over US$500m, via selling some of its stake in FineToday Holdings Co Ltd (289A JP) in Japan. In this note, we talk...

Sumeet Singh

Last Week in Event SPACE: JSR, Austal, Rakuten, Hyundai Home Shopping, Hanmi Science

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Company's H1 results show improvement, but no guidance raise for FY; Financial subsidiaries gain from interest rate increases but holding company...