Stock Analysis

Discovering Japan's Undiscovered Gems October 2024

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Amidst Japan's recent political shifts and market fluctuations, the Nikkei 225 Index and TOPIX Index have experienced notable declines, reflecting investor reactions to new leadership and monetary policy signals. As these indices navigate through economic uncertainties, discerning investors might find opportunities in lesser-known stocks that show resilience and potential for growth despite broader market challenges. Identifying such gems often involves looking at companies with strong fundamentals, innovative strategies, or niche market positions that can thrive even when larger economic indicators are volatile.

Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In Japan

NameDebt To EquityRevenue GrowthEarnings GrowthHealth Rating
Tokyo Tekko10.81%7.30%7.30%★★★★★★
Nihon Parkerizing0.31%0.86%4.40%★★★★★★
Central Forest GroupNA7.05%14.29%★★★★★★
Kanda HoldingsLtd30.47%4.35%18.02%★★★★★★
Toukei ComputerNA5.46%12.14%★★★★★★
Ohashi TechnicaNA1.57%-20.55%★★★★★★
Otec9.81%2.32%-1.39%★★★★★★
NPR-Riken15.31%10.00%44.55%★★★★★☆
MIRARTH HOLDINGSInc266.33%3.00%-2.40%★★★★☆☆
Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank139.93%2.20%-0.27%★★★★☆☆

Click here to see the full list of 733 stocks from our Japanese Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener.

Let's explore several standout options from the results in the screener.

SAN-ALTD (TSE:2659)

Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★★

Overview: SAN-A CO., LTD. operates a chain of supermarkets in Okinawa with a market capitalization of ¥162.04 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from its retail segment, amounting to ¥221.26 billion, and a smaller portion from convenience stores at ¥8.39 billion.

SAN-A seems to be a promising player in Japan's retail sector, with earnings growth of 34.4% over the past year, outpacing the industry average of 22.2%. The company is debt-free, a significant shift from five years ago when its debt-to-equity ratio was 0.2%. Trading at 42.6% below its estimated fair value, SAN-A offers potential upside despite reducing dividends to ¥55 per share from ¥110 last year.

TSE:2659 Debt to Equity as at Oct 2024

H2O Retailing (TSE:8242)

Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: H2O Retailing Corporation operates department stores, supermarkets, and shopping centers in Japan with a market capitalization of ¥226.17 billion.

Operations: H2O Retailing generates revenue primarily through its department stores, supermarkets, and shopping centers in Japan. The company's net profit margin has shown variability over recent periods.

In the Japanese retail landscape, H2O Retailing stands out with impressive earnings growth of 136% over the past year, surpassing industry averages. The company revised its earnings guidance upward for 2024, projecting a net sales increase to ¥702 billion and profits attributable to owners reaching ¥30 billion. Recent sales figures show consistent year-on-year growth, notably 115% in June and July. Despite a satisfactory debt-to-equity ratio of 39%, future earnings are expected to decrease by an average of 23% annually over the next three years.

TSE:8242 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Oct 2024

Toyo Securities (TSE:8614)

Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: Toyo Securities Co., Ltd. operates as a financial products brokerage service provider in Japan, the United States, China, Hong Kong, and internationally with a market capitalization of ¥37.83 billion.

Operations: Toyo Securities generates revenue primarily from its Investment and Financial Services Business, amounting to ¥12.09 billion.

With a recent shift to profitability, Toyo Securities has emerged as an intriguing player in the market. Its debt-to-equity ratio climbed from 18.7% to 32.3% over five years, indicating increased leverage. However, high-quality earnings and more cash than total debt suggest resilience in its financial structure. Despite insufficient data on interest coverage by EBIT, the company seems well-positioned with positive free cash flow and no immediate cash runway concerns due to profitability gains this year.

TSE:8614 Debt to Equity as at Oct 2024

Key Takeaways

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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