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Stock Analysis & ValuationAdvance Create Co., Ltd. (8798.T)

Professional Stock Screener
Previous Close
¥197.00
Sector Valuation Confidence Level
High
Valuation methodValue, ¥Upside, %
Artificial intelligence (AI)482.48145
Intrinsic value (DCF)225.6015
Graham-Dodd Methodn/a
Graham Formula1535.68680

Strategic Investment Analysis

Company Overview

Advance Create Co., Ltd. (8798.T) is a Japan-based insurance agency company operating in the diversified insurance sector. Established in 1995 and headquartered in Osaka, the company specializes in life, non-life, and short-term insurance services, including medical, death, annuity, corporate, fire, and automobile insurance. It employs multiple sales channels such as direct marketing, telemarketing, face-to-face sales, and collaborative sales to serve both individual and corporate clients. Beyond insurance, Advance Create engages in cloud-based customer management systems (ASP Business), advertising operations for its insurance marketplace website Hoken Ichiba (Media Business), web promotion planning (Media Representative Business), and reinsurance activities. Despite recent financial challenges, the company remains a notable player in Japan's insurance distribution landscape, leveraging digital and traditional sales strategies to maintain market relevance.

Investment Summary

Advance Create Co., Ltd. presents a high-risk investment case due to its recent net loss of ¥2.25 billion (FY 2024) and negative operating cash flow. The company's diluted EPS of -¥102.26 and declining revenue (¥7.86 billion) raise concerns about near-term profitability. However, its diversified insurance offerings and multi-channel sales approach provide some resilience in Japan's competitive insurance market. The modest dividend yield (¥17.5 per share) may appeal to income-focused investors, but the high total debt (¥4.24 billion) and limited cash reserves (¥994 million) suggest liquidity risks. Investors should monitor the company's ability to stabilize earnings and improve cash flow generation before considering a position.

Competitive Analysis

Advance Create Co., Ltd. operates in Japan's highly competitive insurance distribution sector, where it faces pressure from both traditional insurers and digital-first platforms. Its competitive advantage lies in its multi-segment approach, combining insurance agency services with media and ASP businesses, which diversifies revenue streams. The Hoken Ichiba marketplace provides a digital edge, but the company struggles with profitability compared to larger peers. Its direct marketing and telemarketing capabilities allow cost-efficient customer acquisition, but face-to-face sales may be less scalable. The reinsurance segment adds niche diversification but contributes minimally to overall revenue. Advance Create's main challenges include high leverage (debt-to-equity concerns) and negative cash flow, limiting its ability to invest in growth initiatives. Its smaller scale compared to industry leaders restricts bargaining power with insurers, potentially squeezing commission margins. The company must improve operational efficiency and digital transformation to compete effectively against tech-savvy rivals.

Major Competitors

  • SOMPO Holdings Inc. (8630.T): SOMPO is a dominant Japanese insurance conglomerate with strong underwriting capabilities and global reinsurance operations. Its scale and brand recognition outperform Advance Create, but it lacks the latter's focused agency model. SOMPO's diversified product suite and financial stability make it a lower-risk investment, though it faces slower growth in Japan's mature market.
  • Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. (8766.T): Tokio Marine is Japan's largest P&C insurer with international reach. Its superior underwriting expertise and investment portfolio dwarf Advance Create's agency business. While Tokio Marine offers more stability, it lacks Advance Create's digital marketplace (Hoken Ichiba) and may be less agile in adopting new distribution technologies.
  • Credit Saison Co., Ltd. (8253.T): Credit Saison competes indirectly through insurance-linked credit products. Its strong consumer finance platform and co-branded insurance offerings challenge Advance Create's standalone agency model. However, Credit Saison lacks Advance Create's specialized insurance distribution focus and reinsurance segment.
  • Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd. (7127.T): Ikegami provides insurance system solutions, competing with Advance Create's ASP segment. Its technical expertise in insurance IT infrastructure is superior, but it doesn't operate as a direct insurance agency. Advance Create has an edge in end-to-end distribution but lags in technology depth.
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