Service revenue slowed for the incumbents but stayed in the low-single digit band, with Softbank still ahead followed by NTT. Mobile divergence continues to play out with SB leading the pack and is likely to remain so in our view. Industry EBITDA improved as NTT inflected to growth and led to a strong EBIT beat this quarter.
Pelham Smithers reviews the FY24 Q3 performance of Rakuten which saw the firm move into the black, boosted by a +53% YoY increase in the Fintech business. The key question is whether the stock is likely to hit EV/adj OP of 15~16x within three years?
Rakuten reported mixed results as revenue and EBIT were slightly ahead of expectations, but net profit recorded a large miss. The company has redefined Mobile EBITDA to include ecosystem benefits which seems disingenuous to us when it is apparent it is unable to achieve breakeven within by the end of this year.
Softbank printed a strong beat across its revenue and net profit, ahead by 5% and 6% respectively. Consequently, management raised its FY24 guidance by roughly 2% for Revenue, EBITDA and Net profit while EBIT was raised by 5.6%.
KDDI today announced an increase in their share buyback from ¥300-¥400bn this year. On the call, the company indicated that this pace could be maintained at least for next year suggesting a structural increase in share buybacks. Thoughts below.
In our latest Asia Monthly, we discuss the performance of major Asian credit indices and review UST curve movements in October 2024. We also provide a recap of major news and macroeconomic releases, including those from the US, China, India, Indonesia and Japan. In addition, we summarise the Top/Bottom performers, recent USD bond issuances and rating actions in Asian corporate credit, as well as a list of our recent research. The Asia Monthly publication serves to keep investors updated on d...
KDDI’s results were okay in Q2 as it was pegged against a tougher comparable. Topline remained ahead of expectations while EBIT was slightly behind YTD though we believe it is likely to improve on the back of DX, synergies from Lawson, mobile and declining roaming losses from Rakuten
PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- , a global leader in healthcare IT, and Duke Health, a world-class academic and healthcare system, are collaborating to create a highly interactive and technologically advanced model for augmented home care delivery. This new home-care model will integrate multiple technologies, including a GenAI-driven virtual agent from Ellipsis Health, automation, device interoperability, remote patient monitoring and a patient app and portal. The solution will keep medical staff in direct contact with the patient to ensure a human is always in the loop while allowing patien...
Rakuten has announced that the company is no longer proceeding with its Fintech reorganisation, preferring instead to enter a deep alliance with (and probably stake sale to) Mizuho. In this brief note, we address what we think Card is likely to be worth in a sale and the implications for Rakuten.
When the BoJ raised rates in March, it had been 17 years since it had last done so, though the world was very different then. While the July rate hike was unlikely to move the economic needle, the question now is what else might follow the subsequent financial market maelstrom. Pelham Smithers discusses the outlook for Japan’s macro environment, what new fiscal policies the new PM might introduce, how the BoJ might react and the all-important trend in corporate earnings. This then leads us to...
Rakuten has ditched its FinTech reorganization plans since it was announced six months ago. Instead, the Group is now opting to deepen the collaboration between its main arm of the FinTech segment, Rakuten Card, with Mizuho, presumably by selling a stake in Rakuten Card to the latter . While details are not disclosed yet, we share our preliminary view below.
We met with all 3 of the incumbent Japanese Telcos & Rakuten in Tokyo this week. Every time we visit, we are reminded of how much better the telco industry is in Japan vs other DMs, as the MNOs continue to expand their scope of operations beyond traditional telco driving higher returns and growth.
Today, Rakuten Mobile launched a new mobile plan aimed at seniors (65 years old and above). In addition, an update on its mobile subscribers figure reflected a slowdown in net additions, which was behind consensus and our forecasts for Q3. We share our thoughts below.
PLANO, Texas & BROWNSVILLE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- a global digital business and IT services leader, has been selected by the , to deploy NTT DATA’s Smart Solutions and Private 5G (P5G) wireless connectivity. The city seeks to enhance citizen services, increase public safety, achieve sustainability and effectively manage growth by leveraging real-time data analytics and AI empowered by a seamless and secure wireless network. “The future is coming to life in Brownsville today as we partner with NTT DATA to set a new standard for smart, connected and sustainable cities,” said John Cowen, Jr...
Digital Bridge has announced a tender offer for the shares of JTower, the leading Japanese Tower Company. Although the valuation is fairly low, we would not see that as bearish for Global Towers. Thoughts and implications below.
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