Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

A chartered management accountant with more than 10 years of rich experience in investment research and financial analysis. Worked as an equity analyst for one of the world's largest asset managers with USD2.5trn in AUM covering numerous sectors including chemicals, retail, tech, autos, telco, real-estate and banks, globally. Experienced in fundamental equity research, industry research, commodity studies, forensic accounting, and due diligence reviews.

Equity Analyst

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Recruit 2Q: Earnings Further Slows Down; 2H To Be Even More Challenging

Recruit: Share Price Continues to Fall with Labor Markets Further Slow Down

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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>Recruit’s share price had rallied 38% since November 2023 driven by the stake acquisition by the hedge fund ValueAct despite there being a decline in the company’s earnings.</li>
<li>Labour markets have further weakened in the December quarter while web traffic on Recruit’s job platforms Indeed and Glassdoor have significantly declined during the quarter.</li>
<li>Though <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/recruit-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15070:1" rel="noopener">Recruit Holdings (6098 JP)</a> has guided for a decline in earnings, we think there is further downside to the company’s guidance.</li>
</ul>


Recruit’s share price had rallied 38% since November 2023 driven by the stake acquisition by the hedge fund ValueAct despite there being a decline in the company’s earnings.
Labour markets have further weakened in the December quarter while web traffic on Recruit’s job platforms Indeed and Glassdoor have significantly declined during the quarter.
Though Recruit Holdings (6098 JP) has guided for a decline in earnings, we think there is further downside to the company’s guidance.


Recruit: More Challenges Ahead for HR Tech Business