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Stock Analysis & ValuationCross Plus Inc. (3320.T)

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¥1,375.00
Sector Valuation Confidence Level
Moderate
Valuation methodValue, ¥Upside, %
Artificial intelligence (AI)3110.40126
Intrinsic value (DCF)396.81-71
Graham-Dodd Method2684.7395
Graham Formula1919.0840

Strategic Investment Analysis

Company Overview

Cross Plus Inc. (3320.T) is a leading Japanese apparel manufacturer and wholesaler specializing in men's, women's, and children's clothing. Headquartered in Nagoya, the company operates through specialty stores, department stores, and e-commerce channels, offering a diverse range of fashion products. Founded in 1951 and formerly known as Sakuraya Shoji Co., Ltd., Cross Plus has evolved into a key player in Japan's consumer cyclical sector. Beyond apparel, the company provides support services for preschool children with developmental disorders and manufactures ladies' hats, showcasing its diversified business model. With a market capitalization of approximately ¥7.84 billion, Cross Plus maintains a strong presence in Japan's competitive apparel industry, leveraging its long-standing expertise in design, production, and distribution. The company's strategic focus on both traditional retail and e-commerce positions it well to adapt to changing consumer preferences in the dynamic fashion market.

Investment Summary

Cross Plus Inc. presents a mixed investment profile. On the positive side, the company reported a solid net income of ¥1.29 billion and an EPS of ¥173.04 for the fiscal year ending January 2025, indicating profitability in a challenging retail environment. Its low beta of 0.636 suggests relative stability compared to the broader market, which may appeal to risk-averse investors. However, the negative operating cash flow of ¥-486 million raises concerns about short-term liquidity, despite a healthy cash position of ¥4.31 billion. The company's modest dividend yield (¥30 per share) and its focus on the domestic Japanese market limit growth potential but may provide stability. Investors should weigh its established market position against sector-wide pressures like changing consumer trends and e-commerce competition.

Competitive Analysis

Cross Plus Inc. operates in Japan's highly competitive apparel manufacturing sector, where it differentiates itself through a diversified product portfolio spanning multiple demographics (men, women, children) and distribution channels (brick-and-mortar and e-commerce). The company's competitive advantage lies in its integrated design-to-retail model and long-standing relationships with Japanese department stores and specialty retailers. However, its domestic focus limits scale compared to global fast-fashion giants. Cross Plus's foray into support services for children with developmental disorders represents a unique, non-apparel revenue stream that diversifies its business model. Financially, the company maintains a reasonable debt-to-equity balance (¥2.92 billion debt vs. ¥4.31 billion cash), but negative operating cash flow indicates potential strain from working capital requirements or inventory management—a critical challenge in the fashion industry. Its ability to compete depends on balancing traditional wholesale relationships with direct-to-consumer e-commerce growth, where it faces stiff competition from both local and international players.

Major Competitors

  • Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. (9983.T): Fast Retailing, owner of Uniqlo, dominates Japan's apparel sector with global scale and vertically integrated production. Its strengths include strong brand recognition and pricing power, but its fast-fashion model contrasts with Cross Plus's traditional wholesale focus. Fast Retailing's international presence gives it superior growth potential but higher exposure to global supply chain risks.
  • AOKI Holdings Inc. (3606.T): AOKI specializes in men's formalwear, overlapping with Cross Plus's product lines but with a narrower demographic focus. Its strength lies in direct retail through owned stores, whereas Cross Plus relies more on wholesale. AOKI's smaller market cap (~¥50 billion) makes it a closer peer, but both face similar challenges from casualization trends.
  • Gusto Co., Ltd. (2681.T): Gusto operates in women's apparel and restaurant businesses, sharing Cross Plus's multi-segment approach. Its smaller scale and lack of e-commerce presence make it less competitive in omnichannel retail, but its restaurant diversification provides revenue stability that Cross Plus lacks.
  • Aoyama Trading Co., Ltd. (8219.T): Aoyama is another men's formalwear competitor with a strong retail footprint. Its larger store network gives it an edge in direct consumer engagement, but Cross Plus's broader product range (including children's wear) provides better diversification. Both companies face secular declines in demand for formal business attire.
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