Analyst

Steve Zhou, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Today, according to public news, Kirin Holdings will launch a tender offer for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a> at a likely 30% premium. </li>
<li>The beauty industry is historically ripe with M&amp;A deals.  It is not hard to see why, as the global beauty sector trades at a hefty valuation multiple. </li>
<li>In this insight, we brainstorm for potential buyers of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a> and analyze the viability of such. </li>
</ul>


Today, according to public news, Kirin Holdings will launch a tender offer for Fancl Corp (4921 JP) at a likely 30% premium. 
The beauty industry is historically ripe with M&amp;A deals.  It is not hard to see why, as the global beauty sector trades at a hefty valuation multiple. 
In this insight, we brainstorm for potential buyers of Shiseido Company (4911 JP) and analyze the viability of such. 


Shiseido (4911 JP):  Brainstorming For Potential Buyers

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a> reported 1Q24 results last Friday.  Core operating profit declined less than expected at -10% yoy, and exceeded the management's target. </li>
<li>The beat was driven by robust growth in Japan, Americas, and EMEA, while China steadily recovered.  Overall sales growth was 4% yoy in the quarter. </li>
<li>As a reminder, the investment thesis for Shiseido is twofold:  a recovering China mainly due to one-off concerns (nuclear wastewater), and a margin recovery story in Japan. </li>
</ul>



Shiseido Company (4911 JP) reported 1Q24 results last Friday.  Core operating profit declined less than expected at -10% yoy, and exceeded the management's target. 
The beat was driven by robust growth in Japan, Americas, and EMEA, while China steadily recovered.  Overall sales growth was 4% yoy in the quarter. 
As a reminder, the investment thesis for Shiseido is twofold:  a recovering China mainly due to one-off concerns (nuclear wastewater), and a margin recovery story in Japan. 


Shiseido (4911 JP):  1Q24 Results Beat; Recovery On Track

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a> reported 4Q23 results last week.  Overall, operating profit of Y40bn in FY23 was Y5bn higher than previous company guidance of Y35bn.</li>
<li>However, Shiseido's China business weakened materially in 4Q23, and 2024/25 guidance seems a bit light. </li>
<li>I believe FY24 should not be used as a base for valuation because the nuclear wastewater impact is likely to linger a while longer during FY24. </li>
</ul>



Shiseido Company (4911 JP) reported 4Q23 results last week.  Overall, operating profit of Y40bn in FY23 was Y5bn higher than previous company guidance of Y35bn.
However, Shiseido's China business weakened materially in 4Q23, and 2024/25 guidance seems a bit light. 
I believe FY24 should not be used as a base for valuation because the nuclear wastewater impact is likely to linger a while longer during FY24. 


Shiseido (4911 JP):  Japan On Track While China Was Weak

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a> relies heavily on Japan and China, each making up over one quarter of sales. </li>
<li>The long thesis is simple - I expect improvement in both regions in the near future, and the valuation is very attractive.</li>
<li>Blackstone just announced a potential bid for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a>, which I have written extensively about.  We could potentially see a pickup in interest in the sector.</li>
</ul>



Shiseido Company (4911 JP) relies heavily on Japan and China, each making up over one quarter of sales. 
The long thesis is simple - I expect improvement in both regions in the near future, and the valuation is very attractive.
Blackstone just announced a potential bid for L'Occitane (973 HK), which I have written extensively about.  We could potentially see a pickup in interest in the sector.


Shiseido (4911 JP):  This Fallen Angel Is Fixable

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>Giant Biogene was listed in Hong Kong IPO in 2022. It has done well since and is now trading 45% above its IPO price, but its still cheap.</li>
<li>GB is a leader in the bioactive ingredient-based professional skin treatment product industry in China.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the company’s past performance and future prospects.</li>
</ul>


Giant Biogene was listed in Hong Kong IPO in 2022. It has done well since and is now trading 45% above its IPO price, but its still cheap.
GB is a leader in the bioactive ingredient-based professional skin treatment product industry in China.
In this note, we will talk about the company’s past performance and future prospects.


2024 High Conviction - Giant Biogene - Growth Rate Keeps Moving Higher

Japan

Shiseido Company, Limited manufactures cosmetic and toiletry products. The Company offers an array of makeup and skin-care products, toiletries, beauty salon, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, and fine chemicals.

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Shiseido Company (4911 JP)

Shiseido (4911 JP): Brainstorming For Potential Buyers

Today, according to public news, Kirin Holdings will launch a tender offer for Fancl Corp (4921 JP) at a likely 30% premium. In this insight, we...

Steve Zhou, CFA

Shiseido (4911 JP): 1Q24 Results Beat; Recovery On Track

Shiseido is up 5.3% today vs. Nikkei 225 down 1.2%. The reason is probably due to a broker upgrade. I believe a lot of further upside remains. ...

Steve Zhou, CFA

Shiseido (4911 JP): Japan On Track While China Was Weak

Shiseido Company reported higher operating profit in FY23 than expected, but China business weakened in 4Q23 and 2024/25 guidance is cautious due...

Steve Zhou, CFA

Shiseido (4911 JP): This Fallen Angel Is Fixable

Shiseido heavily relies on Japan and China for sales, and with expected improvements in these regions, the company's attractive valuation makes it...

Steve Zhou, CFA

2024 High Conviction - Giant Biogene - Growth Rate Keeps Moving Higher

Giant Biogene was listed in Hong Kong IPO in 2022. It has done well since and is now trading 45% above its IPO price, but its still cheap.

Sumeet Singh

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52-week Range

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Shiseido (4911 JP): Brainstorming For Potential Buyers

Today, according to public news, Kirin Holdings will launch a tender offer for Fancl Corp (4921 JP) at a likely 30% premium. In this insight, we...

Steve Zhou, CFA

Shiseido (4911 JP): 1Q24 Results Beat; Recovery On Track

Shiseido is up 5.3% today vs. Nikkei 225 down 1.2%. The reason is probably due to a broker upgrade. I believe a lot of further upside remains. ...

Steve Zhou, CFA

Shiseido (4911 JP): Japan On Track While China Was Weak

​Shiseido Company reported higher operating profit in FY23 than expected, but China business weakened in 4Q23 and 2024/25 guidance is cautious due...

Steve Zhou, CFA

Shiseido (4911 JP): This Fallen Angel Is Fixable

​Shiseido heavily relies on Japan and China for sales, and with expected improvements in these regions, the company's attractive valuation makes it...

Steve Zhou, CFA

2024 High Conviction - Giant Biogene - Growth Rate Keeps Moving Higher

Giant Biogene was listed in Hong Kong IPO in 2022. It has done well since and is now trading 45% above its IPO price, but its still cheap.

Sumeet Singh

Shiseido Company reported higher operating profit in FY23 than expected, but China business weakened in 4Q23 and 2024/25 guidance is cautious due...

Shiseido heavily relies on Japan and China for sales, and with expected improvements in these regions, the company's attractive valuation makes it...