Specialist in Japanese equities, Kheiron Group

Nathan Ramler, CFA

Specialist in Japanese equities

Kheiron Group

Tokyo-based with experience in global equity markets and M&A. Striving to add value and insight. 

Specialists in Japan

Equity Bottom-Up

Okinawa Cellular Telephone / Equity Bottom-Up

As the colder winter weather is felt and the icy blast of industry tariff cuts continues to chill sentiment, we seek some respite (at least mentally) in the warmer climes of Okinawa. Okinawa Cellular is a unique company. It's a small cap telecom network operator in Japan with a focus on the sub-tropical islands of Okinawa Prefecture. As part of the KDDI group, the company benefits from its parent's economies of scale, but with its local presence, it also benefits from being the hometown hero. Because the stock is relatively small, from an investment perspective it runs into liquidity constraints that the other telcos do not have, so it's a different type of investment but one that we think is worth looking at. Over the past 12 months Okinawa Cellular's stock has fallen by 12.3%, but over the past year the stock has delivered a return in the middle of its peer group and has outperformed the broad TOPIX by about 5.5%. Like most telcos, Okinawa Cellular is also ramping its dividend payments, and the current yield is about 3.5%.

As the colder winter weather is felt and the icy blast of industry tariff cuts continues to chill sentiment, we seek some respite (at least mentally) in the warmer climes of Okinawa. Okinawa Cellular is a unique company. It's a small cap telecom network operator in Japan with a focus on the sub-tropical islands of Okinawa Prefecture. As part of the KDDI group, the company benefits from its parent's economies of scale, but with its local presence, it also benefits from being the hometown hero. Because the stock is relatively small, from an investment perspective it runs into liquidity constraints that the other telcos do not have, so it's a different type of investment but one that we think is worth looking at. Over the past 12 months Okinawa Cellular's stock has fallen by 12.3%, but over the past year the stock has delivered a return in the middle of its peer group and has outperformed the broad TOPIX by about 5.5%. Like most telcos, Okinawa Cellular is also ramping its dividend payments, and the current yield is about 3.5%.

Okinawa Cellular (9436 JP): Warm Tropical Breezes with KDDI

During the second half of December 2018, Japan saw two telecom companies list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27445" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27445:1">Softbank Corp (9434 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27807" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27807:1">ARTERIA Networks (4423 JP)</a>. After years of industry consolidation, which saw several stocks delist, this felt like a Christmas miracle (at least for those watching the sector's stocks).It would be hard to find two companies in the same industry that are so different - both in their business models as well as in how their IPOs were positioned to investors. One stock is 100 times larger than the other, but this is not a story of David and Goliath. It is two unique stories in parallel. While each company took a very different approach to selling its stock, both have suffered from the subsequent broader market weakness, irrespective of company specifics. We can't say it has been the worst of times, but it certainly has been a tough time with SoftBank Corp down 13% and Arteria down 20% from their IPO prices.In this Insight we explore how each company approached its IPO and how each has fared since.

During the second half of December 2018, Japan saw two telecom companies list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange: Softbank Corp (9434 JP) and ARTERIA Networks (4423 JP). After years of industry consolidation, which saw several stocks delist, this felt like a Christmas miracle (at least for those watching the sector's stocks).It would be hard to find two companies in the same industry that are so different - both in their business models as well as in how their IPOs were positioned to investors. One stock is 100 times larger than the other, but this is not a story of David and Goliath. It is two unique stories in parallel. While each company took a very different approach to selling its stock, both have suffered from the subsequent broader market weakness, irrespective of company specifics. We can't say it has been the worst of times, but it certainly has been a tough time with SoftBank Corp down 13% and Arteria down 20% from their IPO prices.In this Insight we explore how each company approached its IPO and how each has fared since. 

SoftBank Corp (9434 JP) & Arteria Networks (4423 JP): A Tale of Two IPOs

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Last Week in Event SPACE: Familymart, Takeda, Harbin Electric, Motherson, Young Poong, NTT

'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. 

Quantitative Analysis

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/073/556/original/Update.png?1545212207" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="73556"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>
JAPAN CORPORATE CASH FLOW UPDATE - This insight updates our previous Insight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-quarterly-cash-flow-update-yen-weakens-normal-service-resumed" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:23357">Yen Weakens &gt; Normal Service Resumed</a> with data from all of the most quarterly reports filed last month. Our aggregate cash flow model reformulated cash flows into eight categories which sum to Change in Cash - Free Cash Flow (Operating Cash Flow less Investing Cash Flow), Financing Cash Flow, Shareholder Cash Flow (Equity Cash Flow and Dividend Cash Flow) and Minorities. In the last three months, Japan's non-financial companies generated ¥12.1t in Operating Cash Flow while investing ¥9.2t - the largest quarterly amount of capex since 2016-Q4.  Of the total ¥2.9t in Free Cash Flow, 65% was returned to shareholders of which half was in the form of reductions in equity - an improving and welcome trend which we covered in an earlier <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-share-buybacks-less-than-meets-the-eye" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:22599">Insight</a>. After a ¥0.8t increase in debt and a ¥0.3t increase in Minorities Cash Flow, aggregate cash rose by ¥2.2t for the quarter. Since 2011-Q4, 58% of the ¥102.7t in cumulative FCF has been allocated to shareholders and 40% to cash, leaving considerable room for improvement in the relative size of these ratios.
SECTORS &amp; STOCKS - In the DETAIL below, we also look at sector cash flow trends and provide brief comments on some of the most significant changes in individual cash flows over the last three months including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/3548" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3548:1">Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (9107 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/2818" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2818:1">Hanwa (8078 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/19550" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19550:1">Open House (3288 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/26074" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26074:1">Macnica Fuji Electronics (3132 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/13747" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13747:1">Digital Garage (4819 JP)</a>.


Source: Japan Analytics
JAPAN CORPORATE CASH FLOW UPDATE - This insight updates our previous Insight Yen Weakens &gt; Normal Service Resumed with data from all of the most quarterly reports filed last month. Our aggregate cash flow model reformulated cash flows into eight categories which sum to Change in Cash - Free Cash Flow (Operating Cash Flow less Investing Cash Flow), Financing Cash Flow, Shareholder Cash Flow (Equity Cash Flow and Dividend Cash Flow) and Minorities. In the last three months, Japan's non-financial companies generated ¥12.1t in Operating Cash Flow while investing ¥9.2t - the largest quarterly amount of capex since 2016-Q4.  Of the total ¥2.9t in Free Cash Flow, 65% was returned to shareholders of which half was in the form of reductions in equity - an improving and welcome trend which we covered in an earlier Insight. After a ¥0.8t increase in debt and a ¥0.3t increase in Minorities Cash Flow, aggregate cash rose by ¥2.2t for the quarter. Since 2011-Q4, 58% of the ¥102.7t in cumulative FCF has been allocated to shareholders and 40% to cash, leaving considerable room for improvement in the relative size of these ratios.
SECTORS &amp; STOCKS - In the DETAIL below, we also look at sector cash flow trends and provide brief comments on some of the most significant changes in individual cash flows over the last three months including Softbank Group (9984 JP), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (9107 JP), Hanwa (8078 JP), Open House (3288 JP), Macnica Fuji Electronics (3132 JP), and Digital Garage (4819 JP).

Japan: The 2018-Q3 Cash Flow Stakes - Runners, Riders & Red Flags

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.

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>’s market cap has consistently traded below its NAV. A popular expectation was that the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27445" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27445:1">Softbank Corp (9434 JP)</a> IPO should be a catalyst to narrow the conglomerate discount (holdco discount). On its trading debut today, SoftBank Corp's shares fell 14.5% from its IPO price of JPY1,500 to JPY1,282 per share - the worst first-day decline ever for a major IPO in Japan since the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/8280" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8280:1">Japan Display (6740 JP)</a> IPO in 2014. <div class="content-highlight">In our previous research, we stated that the SoftBank Corp IPO is unlikely to meaningfully narrow SoftBank’s holdco discount. Our updated SoftBank SoTP analysis which reflects SoftBank Corp's trading debut suggests that SoftBank's holdco discount has not meaningfully narrowed.</div>

Softbank Group (9984 JP)’s market cap has consistently traded below its NAV. A popular expectation was that the Softbank Corp (9434 JP) IPO should be a catalyst to narrow the conglomerate discount (holdco discount). On its trading debut today, SoftBank Corp's shares fell 14.5% from its IPO price of JPY1,500 to JPY1,282 per share - the worst first-day decline ever for a major IPO in Japan since the Japan Display (6740 JP) IPO in 2014. In our previous research, we stated that the SoftBank Corp IPO is unlikely to meaningfully narrow SoftBank’s holdco discount. Our updated SoftBank SoTP analysis which reflects SoftBank Corp's trading debut suggests that SoftBank's holdco discount has not meaningfully narrowed.

SoftBank Group (9984 JP): SoftBank Corp IPO Has Failed to Meaningfully Narrow the Holdco Discount

Japan

SoftBank Group Corp provides telecommunication services.  The Company also operates ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and fiber optic high-speed Internet connection, e-Commerce businesses, and Internet based advertising and auction businesses.

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Softbank Group (ADR) (SFTBY US)

Okinawa Cellular (9436 JP): Warm Tropical Breezes with KDDI

As the colder winter weather is felt and the icy blast of industry tariff cuts continues to chill sentiment, we seek some respite (at least...

Nathan Ramler, CFA

SoftBank Corp (9434 JP) & Arteria Networks (4423 JP): A Tale of Two IPOs

During the second half of December 2018, Japan saw two telecom companies list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange: Softbank Corp (9434 JP) and ARTERIA...

Nathan Ramler, CFA

Last Week in Event SPACE: Familymart, Takeda, Harbin Electric, Motherson, Young Poong, NTT

Last Week in Event SPACE ... Bad banker analysis as Familymart Uny Holdings (8028 JP)'s tender for Don Quijote Holdings (7532 JP) doesn't even get...

David Blennerhassett

Japan: The 2018-Q3 Cash Flow Stakes - Runners, Riders & Red Flags

JAPAN CORPORATE CASH FLOW UPDATE - This insight updates our previous Insight Yen Weakens > Normal Service Resumed with data from all of the...

Campbell Gunn

SoftBank Group (9984 JP): SoftBank Corp IPO Has Failed to Meaningfully Narrow the Holdco Discount

Softbank Group (9984 JP)’s market cap has consistently traded below its NAV. A popular expectation was that the Softbank Corp (9434 JP) IPO should...

Arun George

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