Report
Ildar Davletshin, CFA ...
  • Piotr Raciborski, CFA

Russian Technology: Brave new world (Mail.ru and Yandex stay BUY)

We view Russian tech companies as relative long-term winners of the COVID-19 crisis, even at a cost of reduced profits in the near term. As consumers and businesses are being forced to learn how to operate in the new reality, embracing the new digital world, tech companies have the opportunity to expand their customer base, launch new products and services, and strengthen their eco-systems, not least through bolt-on acquisitions. At the same time, their near-term results are likely to suffer from reduced advertising spend and higher investments. As a result, we have adjusted our price targets (PTs) for Yandex and Mail.ru by 18% and 11%, respectively, to USD 41.0 for Yandex and USD 25.0 for Mail.ru, with our BUY recommendations remaining unchanged for both companies.
Underlyings
Mail.ru Group Ltd. Sponsored GDR

Mail.Ru Group is an Internet company based in the Russian Federation. Co. operates the email service [email protected] and two IM networks in Russia - Mail.Ru Agent and ICQ. Co. operates two Russian-language online social networking sites: Moi [email protected] and Odnoklassniki.ru, and owns a strategic minority equity stake in the social network Vkontakte. Co. is also engaged in developing projects in E-commerce and operating more than 40 thematic vertical sites, targeting various user categories. Co. is also Russia's predominant online games company. Co. maintains a portfolio of online games which includes 34 MMO games and over 30 games for social networking sites.

Yandex NV Class A

Yandex is an internet and technology company that operates an internet search engine in Russia. Co. builds intelligent products and services powered by machine learning. Co.'s products and services are based on complex, unique technologies that are not easily replicated. Co. generates substantially all of its revenues from online advertising. Co. also generates revenues from its e-commerce offerings, classifieds and e-hailing service. Co.'s businesses are organized in the following operating segments: Search and Portal; E-commerce; Taxi; Classifieds and Experimental businesses.

Provider
Wood and Company
Wood and Company

WOOD & Company is the leading investment bank in Emerging Europe. Founded in 1991 and head-quartered in Prague, our footprint spans the region and touches investors around the globe.

A pioneer in Emerging Europe, WOOD executed many of the first CEE equity trades and landmark investment banking transactions. Our electronic trading platform was the first in the region, and remains the best. We are continually expanding our relevance and reach in these ever-evolving markets.

Our equity market share reflects our stature: 7% in Warsaw, 20% in Bucharest, 16% in Hungary, 40% in Prague and 5% in Vienna. Our distribution is unparalleled, with the largest salesforce in the region, servicing a uniquely diverse investor base.

We couple local expertise with a truly international perspective. With offices on the ground in the region, and in key financial hubs such as London and Milano, we are never far from our clients and we remain at the forefront of what’s afoot in the CEE emerging and frontier landscape.

Analysts
Ildar Davletshin, CFA

Piotr Raciborski, CFA

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