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Stock Analysis & ValuationSoldOut, Inc. (6553.T)

Professional Stock Screener
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¥1,806.00
Sector Valuation Confidence Level
Low
Valuation methodValue, ¥Upside, %
Artificial intelligence (AI)n/an/a
Intrinsic value (DCF)n/a
Graham-Dodd Method26.28-99
Graham Formula22.84-99

Strategic Investment Analysis

Company Overview

SoldOut, Inc. is a Tokyo-based digital marketing support company specializing in services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan. Operating under Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc., SoldOut provides a comprehensive suite of digital marketing solutions, including promotion tools, internet advertisement operations, corporate branding, e-commerce support, and human resource development. The company's flagship platform, ZIP, serves as a social advertising platform, while its IT tools streamline digital marketing tasks. Founded in 2009, SoldOut has carved a niche in Japan's competitive digital marketing landscape by focusing on SMEs and venture companies. With a revenue of ¥22.3 billion in FY2021, the company plays a vital role in Japan's technology-driven marketing sector, offering specialized recruitment and training services to bridge the digital skills gap. Its subsidiary status under Hakuhodo DY Holdings provides strategic advantages in resources and industry reach.

Investment Summary

SoldOut, Inc. presents a mixed investment profile. The company operates in Japan's growing digital marketing sector, benefiting from the increasing demand for SME-focused digital services. However, its modest net income of ¥145 million and diluted EPS of ¥1.35 in FY2021 indicate thin profitability margins. The company maintains a solid cash position (¥2.6 billion) and manageable debt (¥1.04 billion), but negative capital expenditures (-¥739.6 million) suggest limited reinvestment. A beta of 0.89 implies lower volatility than the market, which may appeal to risk-averse investors. The dividend yield (¥36.28 per share) could attract income-focused investors, but growth prospects may be constrained by its niche focus and subsidiary structure under Hakuhodo DY Holdings. Investors should weigh its stable cash flow (¥608.6 million operating cash flow) against sector competition and Japan's macroeconomic conditions.

Competitive Analysis

SoldOut, Inc. competes in Japan's crowded digital marketing and IT services sector, differentiating itself through SME-focused solutions and integrated human resource development services. Its competitive advantage lies in its specialized support for venture companies and its proprietary ZIP social advertising platform. As a subsidiary of Hakuhodo DY Holdings, SoldOut benefits from parent company resources and industry connections, enhancing its credibility and client reach. However, its niche focus on SMEs limits scalability compared to broader-service competitors. The company's dual role as a service provider and talent developer creates a unique value proposition but also spreads resources thin. Its financials suggest efficient operations but modest profitability, indicating potential vulnerability to larger competitors with deeper pockets. The negative capital expenditures raise questions about long-term innovation capacity. SoldOut's positioning as an SME specialist shields it from direct competition with global giants but exposes it to local competitors with similar offerings. Its success hinges on maintaining service quality and leveraging Hakuhodo's network while navigating Japan's competitive digital marketing landscape.

Major Competitors

  • Rakuten Group, Inc. (4755.T): Rakuten dominates Japan's digital services with broader offerings including e-commerce, fintech, and advertising. Its scale and ecosystem provide cross-selling advantages that SoldOut cannot match. However, Rakuten's focus on large-scale operations leaves room for SoldOut in SME specialization. Rakuten's recent financial struggles may create opportunities for nimble competitors like SoldOut in niche segments.
  • CyberAgent, Inc. (4751.T): CyberAgent is a major player in digital advertising and internet services with strong media properties. Its strength in performance-based advertising competes directly with SoldOut's offerings. CyberAgent's larger scale and diversified business model give it resource advantages, but SoldOut's SME focus and HR services provide differentiation in specific market segments.
  • DeNA Co., Ltd. (2432.T): DeNA operates in mobile services, e-commerce, and advertising, overlapping with parts of SoldOut's business. Its strong mobile platform expertise poses competition in digital marketing services. However, DeNA's recent strategic shifts away from some marketing services may reduce direct competition, allowing SoldOut to strengthen its SME positioning.
  • Rakuten Symphony Inc. (3923.T): As part of the Rakuten ecosystem, this company focuses on marketing technology solutions. Its advanced tech stack competes with SoldOut's IT tools, but SoldOut's human-centric services and SME specialization create differentiation. Rakuten Symphony's resources are superior, but its enterprise focus leaves SME opportunities for SoldOut.
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