Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Equity Bottom-Up

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<ul>
<li><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Money Forward’s stock price declined by 12% on the day following a weak Q3 earnings release. </span></li>
<li>
<span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">The weaker revenue print was partially due to the lumpiness of revenue recognition in MF X (technology solutions), and lower ARPA growth in the core MF Business domain. </span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span>
</li>
<li>
<span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">We take a deeper look at the underlying SaaS metrics for MF Business and note some slowing in key KPIs. </span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span>
</li>
<li>
<span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Nevertheless, we believe that the company is well placed to target mid-sized companies, which will ultimately drive higher ARR growth.  </span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span>
</li>
<li><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'>Even assuming a weaker NTM growth of 25%, we see 30% upside for the share price</span></li>
</ul>
</div>



Money Forward’s stock price declined by 12% on the day following a weak Q3 earnings release. 

 The weaker revenue print was partially due to the lumpiness of revenue recognition in MF X (technology solutions), and lower ARPA growth in the core MF Business domain.  


We take a deeper look at the underlying SaaS metrics for MF Business and note some slowing in key KPIs.  


Nevertheless, we believe that the company is well placed to target mid-sized companies, which will ultimately drive higher ARR growth.   

Even assuming a weaker NTM growth of 25%, we see 30% upside for the share price



Money Forward (3994) - 30% Upside Despite Slower Growth

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/203/original/2020-11-17_12-24-48.png?1605583510" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172203"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>BRIGHTER, LATER</strong> - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by ¥1.2 trillion. As a result, the market's forward multiple is unchanged at 31 times, despite a 7% rise in market capitalisation. Although this 'season' was the best in two years in terms of forecast profits, trailing earnings are still falling, by almost ¥3 trillion in the case of operating income. Much of the market optimism rests on a Japan experiencing a mild COVID winter and the impact of the incoming Biden administration's policy pronouncements on the US dollar. </p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/219/original/2020-11-17_13-33-54.png?1605587647" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172219"></figure></section><p><strong>5.2% TTM OPERATING MARGINS</strong> - Aggregate Operating Income has declined by a third year-on-year on a 10% decline in revenues. The good news is that the pace of decline is slowing. Nevertheless, all of the Abe-era gains in earnings have now been unwound.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/230/original/2020-11-17_13-47-49.png?1605588488" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172230"></figure><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/394/original/2020-11-18_07-24-55.png?1605651921" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172394"></figure></section><p><strong>4.8% FORECAST OPERATING MARGINS</strong> - Operating margins are forecast to contract further over the next five months to 4.8%. Forecast revenues and operating income are both 3% lower than three months ago, the slowest rate of attrition in three quarters. The current market euphoria, which has taken total capitalisation to within 3% of the pre-COVID high is implying that the next 'print' of this data series, will be positive.    </p></section><section class="figure"></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/256/original/2020-11-17_14-22-29.png?1605590564" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172256"></figure></section><p><strong>POSITIVE MOMENTUM</strong> - The sharp recovery in earnings momentum, which the market has been discounting is now materialising. Our Forecast/Revision Score has returned to March levels while the trailing Results Score has bottomed out well above the low of 2009. </p>
<section class="figure"><section class="figure"></section><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we shall review the actual results and initial and revised forecasts by Sector and highlight the best and worst-performing companies by one-quarter revenue and margin changes. </p></div></section></section>

Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics
BRIGHTER, LATER - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by ¥1.2 trillion. As a result, the market's forward multiple is unchanged at 31 times, despite a 7% rise in market capitalisation. Although this 'season' was the best in two years in terms of forecast profits, trailing earnings are still falling, by almost ¥3 trillion in the case of operating income. Much of the market optimism rests on a Japan experiencing a mild COVID winter and the impact of the incoming Biden administration's policy pronouncements on the US dollar. 
5.2% TTM OPERATING MARGINS - Aggregate Operating Income has declined by a third year-on-year on a 10% decline in revenues. The good news is that the pace of decline is slowing. Nevertheless, all of the Abe-era gains in earnings have now been unwound.
4.8% FORECAST OPERATING MARGINS - Operating margins are forecast to contract further over the next five months to 4.8%. Forecast revenues and operating income are both 3% lower than three months ago, the slowest rate of attrition in three quarters. The current market euphoria, which has taken total capitalisation to within 3% of the pre-COVID high is implying that the next 'print' of this data series, will be positive.    POSITIVE MOMENTUM - The sharp recovery in earnings momentum, which the market has been discounting is now materialising. Our Forecast/Revision Score has returned to March levels while the trailing Results Score has bottomed out well above the low of 2009. 
In the DETAIL section below, we shall review the actual results and initial and revised forecasts by Sector and highlight the best and worst-performing companies by one-quarter revenue and margin changes. 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Autumn 2020 Results & Revisions Review

Japan

Uzabase Inc is an online financial data service provider aimed for BtoB clients. The company provides   related business news, financial report data, stock price data as well as a wide range of industrial analysis reports through its business platform called SPEEDA and NewsPicks.

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Uzabase Inc (3966 JP)

Money Forward (3994) - 30% Upside Despite Slower Growth

We take a deeper look at the underlying SaaS metrics for MF Business and note some slowing in key KPIs. Even so, on a more conservative growth...

Mark Chadwick

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Autumn 2020 Results & Revisions Review

BRIGHTER, LATER - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by...

Campbell Gunn

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Market Cap (USDm)

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