Kao Corp 4452

Morningstar Rating
¥‎7,095.00 +53.00 (0.75%)
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Company Report

Kao Earnings: Profits Triple, Lifted by Price Hikes, Lower Costs, and Restructuring Benefits

Kao has laid out a long-term plan to guide its growth through 2030, aimed at heightening its global presence and achieving JPY 2.5 trillion in sales with a 16% profit margin. The top-line target, implying 6.1% CAGR through 2030, looks challenging. Prospects of the newly established precision healthcare business look uncertain, given no precedent of product/service offerings to predict success. In contrast, the margin goal seems viable, given room to boost profitability of cosmetics and restore growth trajectory as well as margins of the baby diaper business. Its innovation endeavors and growth outlook of China and precision healthcare will play crucial roles in accelerating group growth, in our view.

Price vs Fair Value

4452 is trading within a range we consider fairly valued.
Price
¥‎7,095.00
Fair Value
¥‎8,135.00
Uncertainty
Medium
1-Star Price
¥‎91,869.00
5-Star Price
¥‎5,481.00
Economic Moat
Yhhq
Capital Allocation
Dlxckrtx

Bulls Say, Bears Say

Bulls

Expansion into prestige skincare and removal of beauty consultants from domestic midpriced brands should help lift cosmetics profit margins and increase chances to accelerate growth in China.

Bears

Kao’s cosmetics business will continue facing difficulties in capturing the prestige skincare growth opportunities in China, reflecting a lack of strong premium brands in its brand portfolio.

News

Trading Information

Previous Close Price
¥‎7,042.00
Day Range
¥‎6,964.007,118.00
52-Week Range
¥‎5,240.007,273.00
Bid/Ask
¥‎7,084.00 / ¥‎7,112.00
Market Cap
¥‎3.30 Tril
Volume/Avg
1.0 Mil / 1.6 Mil

Key Statistics

Price/Earnings (Normalized)
39.98
Price/Sales
2.08
Dividend Yield (Trailing)
2.13%
Dividend Yield (Forward)
2.14%
Total Yield
2.13%

Company Profile

Kao is the largest household and personal care product manufacturer in Japan with a footprint across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Japan remains its largest market, contributing about 60% of sales and an estimated 70% of profits with several leading brands including Attack and Biore. Initially a soap producer established in the 1890s, Kao has expanded into cosmetics, disposable hygiene products, and chemicals, in addition to its home care and toiletry products. Asia, the largest overseas market contributing 20% of group sales, is a key growth driver, led by expansion in China and Indonesia. It has also acquired several Western skin and haircare brands including Jergens, John Frieda, Curel, Molton Brown, and the latest, Oribe.
Sector
Consumer Defensive
Industry
Household & Personal Products
Stock Style Box
Large Core
Total Number of Employees
42,450

Competitors

Valuation

Metric
4452
PG
KMB
Price/Earnings (Normalized)
39.9826.0919.42
Price/Book Value
3.127.9841.54
Price/Sales
2.085.002.34
Price/Cash Flow
18.5320.7315.20
Price/Earnings
4452
PG
KMB

Financial Strength

Metric
4452
PG
KMB
Quick Ratio
1.210.460.49
Current Ratio
1.870.730.85
Interest Coverage
27.0620.7710.19
Quick Ratio
4452
PG
KMB

Profitability

Metric
4452
PG
KMB
Return on Assets (Normalized)
4.88%13.43%14.17%
Return on Equity (Normalized)
8.61%33.48%285.85%
Return on Invested Capital (Normalized)
6.40%20.04%28.82%
Return on Assets
4452
PG
KMB

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