Stock Analysis

3 Undiscovered Japanese Gems with Strong Potential

TSE:2659
Source: Shutterstock

Amid recent political shifts and economic policy adjustments in Japan, the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices have experienced notable fluctuations, reflecting investor reactions to new leadership and monetary policy directions. As market participants navigate these changes, identifying stocks with strong fundamentals and growth potential becomes crucial for those looking to capitalize on opportunities within this dynamic environment.

Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In Japan

NameDebt To EquityRevenue GrowthEarnings GrowthHealth Rating
Intelligent WaveNA6.92%15.18%★★★★★★
Tokyo Tekko10.81%7.30%7.30%★★★★★★
Nihon Parkerizing0.31%0.86%4.40%★★★★★★
Ryoyu SystemsNA1.08%8.08%★★★★★★
Toukei ComputerNA5.46%12.14%★★★★★★
Innotech38.96%7.08%6.36%★★★★★☆
MIRARTH HOLDINGSInc266.33%3.00%-2.40%★★★★☆☆
Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank139.93%2.20%-0.27%★★★★☆☆
GENOVA0.93%33.82%30.22%★★★★☆☆
Nippon Sharyo61.34%-1.68%-17.07%★★★★☆☆

Click here to see the full list of 730 stocks from our Japanese Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener.

Let's dive into some prime choices out of from the screener.

SAN-ALTD (TSE:2659)

Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★★

Overview: SAN-A CO., LTD. operates a chain of supermarkets in Okinawa and has a market capitalization of ¥179.23 billion.

Operations: SAN-A CO., LTD. generates revenue primarily through its supermarket operations in Okinawa. The company's financial performance is influenced by various cost components, with a particular focus on operational efficiencies to optimize profitability. Notably, the net profit margin has shown fluctuations over recent periods, reflecting changes in cost management and revenue strategies.

San-A Ltd., a small cap company in Japan, showcases promising attributes with earnings growing at 8.7% annually over the past five years. Despite not outpacing the Consumer Retailing industry's 22% growth last year, it remains a good value, trading at 40.9% below its estimated fair value. The company is debt-free and maintains high-quality earnings, suggesting a stable financial footing without concerns about interest coverage or cash runway limitations.

TSE:2659 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Oct 2024
TSE:2659 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Oct 2024

Lifenet Insurance (TSE:7157)

Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★☆

Overview: Lifenet Insurance Company offers life insurance products and services across Japan, North America, and internationally, with a market cap of ¥140.48 billion.

Operations: Lifenet Insurance generates revenue primarily from its life insurance products offered in various regions, including Japan and North America. The company focuses on optimizing its cost structure to enhance profitability, with a notable emphasis on managing operational expenses. Its financial performance is reflected in the net profit margin trend, which provides insights into efficiency and profitability over time.

Lifenet Insurance, a nimble player in Japan's insurance sector, has recently turned profitable and boasts high-quality earnings. With no debt on its books for the past five years, the company seems financially robust. Its levered free cash flow reached ¥5.23 billion as of March 2024, showcasing strong cash generation capabilities. Lifenet's upcoming launch of term medical products on October 1 promises more affordable options for customers seeking flexible coverage periods and lower initial premiums compared to whole-life offerings.

TSE:7157 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Oct 2024
TSE:7157 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Oct 2024

77 Bank (TSE:8341)

Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: The 77 Bank, Ltd. offers a range of banking products and services to both corporate and individual clients in Japan, with a market capitalization of ¥291.37 billion.

Operations: The 77 Bank generates revenue primarily through interest income from loans and securities, as well as fees from various banking services. The bank's cost structure includes interest expenses, personnel costs, and general administrative expenses. Net profit margin trends can provide insights into the bank's profitability over time.

With assets totaling ¥10,577.6 billion and equity of ¥595.7 billion, 77 Bank stands out in Japan's banking sector. Deposits reach ¥8,999.8 billion while loans are at ¥5,866.4 billion with a modest net interest margin of 1%. Despite earnings growth of 27% surpassing the industry average of 19%, its allowance for bad loans is notably high at over 1010% of total loans. Trading significantly below estimated fair value suggests potential upside for investors seeking undervalued opportunities in this space.

TSE:8341 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Oct 2024
TSE:8341 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Oct 2024

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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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