Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

- und daher habe ich mir nach dem Einstieg bei Alibaba, die inzwischem mehr als 20% gut gemacht haben, auch einige Rakutens gekauft.

Look Out Amazon, Here Comes...Rakuten?
Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten announced on Tuesday it is acquiring Ebates for $1 billion.

The acquisition, which Rakuten hinted at last week, is part of the Japanese company’s push to grow its base beyond its domestic market and hopefully, become a global player. Having made some $1.2 billion acquisitions to date along these lines, this is Rakuten’s most ambitious move to date.

However, investors are dubious that the company can absorb yet another foreign acquisition, much less one the size of Ebates, despite Rakuten’s strong cash position.
Then there is the ever-present Amazon, which dominates the e-commerce market in the U.S. Few believe it will falter in the face of Chinese giant Alibaba, much less a Rakuten-Ebates combo.

Rakuten Goes Forth

Not surprisingly, Rakuten says it is undaunted. For starters, it has assembled a very interesting mix of acquisitions. There is messaging app Viber, which it purchased for $900 million in February, the Canadian ebook offering Kobo, Spanish video service Wuaki.tv, Viki, a digital content platform and Buy.com.
Now it has picked up Ebates.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikamorphy/2014/09/...ere-comes-rakuten/  

Rakuten: Worry Less About Credit Risks And Mobile Division Losses

Apr. 25, 2025

Summary

My Buy rating for Rakuten Group is unchanged, as I think that investors' major concerns about the stock have eased.

RKUNF's credit health is expected to improve in the future; the company has targeted reducing its net leverage metric by half within the next 2 years.

RKUNY's wireless unit is anticipated to become EBITDA-positive in FY25 on the back of subscriber growth and ARPU expansion.

I am The Value Pendulum. I have over a decade of buy-side and sell-side experience in Asian equity markets. I lead the investing group Asia Value & Moat Stocks.

I remain bullish on Rakuten Group, Inc.

The company's loss-making MNO ("Mobile Network Operations") segment and its balance sheet weakness have become less of a concern. This is why my rating is still a Buy.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-risks-and-mobile-division-losses
 

Viber Dating Provides Safe Space for Real Connections

March 18, 2025

Viber Dating is a new feature launched by Rakuten Viber around Valentine's Day 2025, designed to foster genuine connections while prioritizing user privacy and security. By ensuring profiles are verified and private, Viber Dating addresses common concerns about online dating, such as fake profiles and scams, offering a safe and comfortable platform for users to connect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj7xdKAuJG8&t=17s
 

by  Business Wire April 9, 2025

Global cloud communications platform Infobip has become a Platinum Partner of Rakuten Viber. As a Platinum Partner, Infobip will be able to offer its customers early access to new products and features as well as getting priority access to a knowledge center. Infobip’s elevation to Platinum Partner marks another achievement in its ongoing mission to enhance digital communication strategies for businesses worldwide.

Over eight years, Rakuten Viber has integrated with Infobip’s platform, becoming a key OTT channel. The collaboration has enabled businesses to use Viber for direct, rich media interactions with customers, enhancing user experiences, and helping customers in their digital transformation journey.
One recent example is Metrobank, the second-largest private universal bank in the Philippines.
Metrobank partnered with Infobip to integrate Viber rich business messaging into its customer communication strategy, enhancing its operations with a trusted and secure digital platform. Utilizing Infobip’s plug-and-play solution, Metrobank seamlessly incorporated Viber business messages into its existing processes with minimal effort. In no time, the bank began delivering personalized, rich content messages, including images and videos, to millions of consenting customers. This strategic move not only created a unique customer experience but also resulted in up to 50% cost savings compared to traditional SMS messaging, as Metrobank effectively communicated its latest offerings through Viber’s rich media capabilities.

Ramon Martin Rodriguez, Performance Marketing Head at Metrobank, said: “Infobip provided a solution that enabled us to quickly start benefitting from using Viber for Business for sending marketing messages, using both a portal and an integration with our CRM system. The integration was extremely easy to set up with no disruption to our businesses processes, and no requirement to involve technical resources from other departments. We have been very satisfied with the entire process.”

https://bi-journal.com/platinum-partner-of-rakuten-viber/
 

April 02, 2025

As enterprises increasingly look for ways to improve efficiency and innovation, network modernization has become a key driver of transformation. Modernizing networks is not just about upgrading to the next generation of technology but about unlocking new opportunities through automation, microservices-based architectures and AI-driven decision-making. Industry leaders recently came together to discuss the role of network modernization in private enterprises, exploring how it enables greater operational efficiency and supports advanced use cases, in a panel moderated by Abe Nejad, Publisher of Network Media Group (NMG).

Speakers: Faisal Ghazaleh - Global Head of Solution Engineering-OSS, Rakuten Symphony
Ron Westfall - Research Director, Futurum Group
Rory O’ Toole - Vice President - Global Telco Sales, Druid Software

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPtFAc3ABu8
 

Wireless Unit Should Gain Subscribers And Expand ARPU

RGI's MNO segment is still in the red, and this hurts the stock in two ways. One is that its leverage stays elevated due to a high level of borrowings and operating losses. Another factor is this division's drag on the company's group-level profit.

The wireless business' EBITDA loss shrunk from -JPY 0.15 trillion for FY23 to -¥54B in FY24. My prediction is that this unit will realize EBITDA-breakeven this year in line with management guidance.
The future profitability of RKUNY's mobile operations is heavily influenced by its topline due to fixed-cost leverage effects.

Given the capital-intensive nature of telco services, RKUNF needs to spread its non-variable expenses over a bigger revenue base. I'm optimistic that it can acquire new wireless users and earn more money from them on a per-user basis.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-risks-and-mobile-division-losses
 

Rakuten Link: The Super IntelliApp  Rakuten at MWC 2025

April 08, 2025

In this session at the Rakuten Booth in MWC Barcelona 2025, Luca Milillo, Vice President of Rakuten Link, provides a detailed look into Rakuten Link: The Super IntelliApp, and how this innovative platform showcases the combination of cutting-edge AI capabilities with the power of the Rakuten Ecosystem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaG9Q9VMCIA

 

In FY2024, Rakuten has already reached a favorable inflection point.

The company's finance expenses, capital expenditures, and wireless operations' EBITDA losses added up to -¥0.36T in the recent fiscal year. Rakuten generated +JPY 424 billion of cash flow from its non-mobile ("securities brokerage and e-commerce") divisions and capital efficiency improvements during the same period. Rakuten can operate on internally generated funds now based on these figures.

It's reasonable to think that the company shouldn't incur additional debt going forward.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-risks-and-mobile-division-losses
 

Driving Programmable Networks with AI and Real-Time Data, Supported by SMO & rApps

April 02, 2025

As telecom networks become more complex, the integration of rApps (radio applications) and SMO (Service Management and Orchestration) is transforming how operators manage and optimize their networks. Watch as industry leaders join Abe Nejad, Publisher of Network Media Group (NMG), to discuss how AI and real-time data are shaping the future of network automation.

Speakers:
Dr. Tomasz Gerszberg - Group Head of Future Networks, Axiata
Rahul Atri - Chief Product Officer, Aira Technologies
Anshul Bhatt - Chief Product Officer, OSS Business Unit, Rakuten Symphony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvoRSyvneY0
 

In the final quarter of the prior year, Rakuten recorded net mobile subscription additions of +378k. For the same time frame, the "net adds" for SoftBank and KDDI inferior at approximately 190,000 and 6,000, respectively. Another competitor Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation even lost subscribers ("-11k") in this period.

My opinion is that RKUNY's outperformance will be sustained because of a policy tailwind.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-risks-and-mobile-division-losses
 

Rakuten Mobile is winning more subscribers. Compared to 2022 and 2023, Rakuten Mobile's win share has grown from 10.6% to 18% in 2024 compared to 2023.

https://www.google.de/...4zoAexkgKyBwQzMS4zuAeoFQ&sclient=gws-wiz
 

Viber’s Eyal on communication’s importance in the digital age, discusses Viber’s role

March 09, 2025

In the eighteenth episode of ABS-CBN News Channel's Beyond the Exchange, award-winning journalist and veteran anchor Rico Hizon sits down with Rakuten Viber CEO Ofir Eyal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmSiS72AXtM&t=18s
 

Japan's Rakuten to invest at least $100 million in India, increase hiring, top executive says

Rakuten plans to invest "at least three digit millions dollars" to scale up technology, infrastructure and hiring, Rakuten's India CEO Sunil Gopinath said, without specifying the exact amount.

Rakuten currently employs 4,000 people in India - 90% of whom are tech staff - and plans to recruit people who it considers "power users" of AI.

"We look for AI-savvy people that we can intersperse across the company," Gopinath said.
The India global capability centre (GCC) is a key contributor in building Rakuten Pay, a major payment app in Japan, and its SixthSense platform, which is used to track the health of a system and flag issues.
The SixthSense platform is used by a wide range of clients including banks, healthcare companies, airlines, and the government of India.

Rakuten generated a profit of 10.5 billion yen ($73.62 million) in fiscal year 2024 by using AI, and aims to double this in 2025. Last year, employees almost halved their time to create sales material, according to its full-year earnings presentation.

Rakuten's India GCC operates about 50% of the company's 70-plus businesses, with offices at multiple locations in the country, including two centers in the southern city of Bengaluru.

The market size of India's GCCs is expected to be valued at up to $105 billion by fiscal year 2030 from $64.6 billion in 2024, according to a report by IT industry body Nasscom and consulting firm Zinnov.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...ten-invest-least-100-070917892.html
 

After my estimates Rakuten Mobile will cross 9 million subscribers during May 2025  and reach more than 10 million subscribers at the end of 2025.  

Empowering travel for all: 2025 Rakuten Travel Conference inspires greater inclusivity

6 days ago

The Diversity Talk Session was spearheaded by Taiki Nagamatsu, Vice General Manager of the Global Country Management Department and Manager of Diversity Development Group at Rakuten, who has been instrumental in driving diversity initiatives within Rakuten Travel. “We prioritize both employee and service inclusion by raising diversity awareness among our staff and partner hotels,” Nagamatsu explained. “This brings us back to the core value of Rakuten Travel: ‘Empowering travel through innovation and diversity.’ Our principal value is diversity – we will continue to create an environment where everybody, regardless of religion, nationality, language or disability, can enjoy traveling around the world.”

https://rakuten.today/blog/...rence-inspires-greater-inclusivity.html
 

Rakuten Securities Reports Positive Q1 2025 Financial Results

Apr 30, 2025, 10:00 AM

Rakuten Securities, Inc., a subsidiary of Rakuten Group, reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, showing a rise in operating revenue and income compared to the previous year. This financial performance indicates a positive trajectory for the company, potentially strengthening its position in the securities market and providing value to its stakeholders.

https://www.tipranks.com/news/...s-positive-q1-2025-financial-results
 

Intelligent automation for African telcos: Leveraging Rakuten’s OSS and Accenture’s O-RAN drive

April 02, 2025

Open RAN (O-RAN) and automation are emerging as solutions to increase flexibility, lower costs and expand network coverage faster in Africa. At a recent panel discussion, industry leaders explored how O-RAN and automation are shaping the African telecom landscape. Moderated by Abe Nejad, Publisher of Network Media Group (NMG), the session featured experts from Accenture and Rakuten Symphony, discussing the key drivers behind O-RAN adoption, integration challenges, and the role of AI-driven automation.

Speakers:
Nitesh Singh - MD and Communications, Media and Technology Lead, Accenture
Faiq Khan - SVP, Global Sales OSS BU, Rakuten Symphony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKF3nMA-5Jg
 

More Rakuten Travel-Advantages by Rakuten Card Premium

2025/04/25

https://www.rakuten-card.co.jp/corporate/press_release/20250425/
 

https://payment.rakuten.co.jp/news/2025043000/
 

Moshi moshi? Space calling: Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile achieve Japan first satellite-to-mobile video call

1 day ago

The test demonstrated the first-ever mobile broadband two-way video call in Japan using unmodified smartphones connected directly to satellites. Radio signals were transmitted from Rakuten Mobile’s gateway Earth station in Fukushima Prefecture, north of Tokyo, to one of AST SpaceMobile’s newly launched BlueBird satellites.

From there, the satellite relayed the signal to a smartphone in Tokyo, using a standard calling app on a regular device – no hardware modifications, no special accessories, no satellite mode; just a phone, a satellite and space-age technology.

Rakuten Mobile tested system compatibility across a range of smartphones available in Japan. The company conducted the trial under a preliminary test license and is now seeking approval for a full experimental license for further testing in the near future.

“We are delighted to achieve the first-ever mobile broadband two-way voice call in Japan between a smartphone and satellite, proving this groundbreaking technology once again,” commented Rakuten Group Chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani. Notably, the technology is compatible with close to all smartphones, regardless of the manufacturer and system, or if it is the latest model or not. “[With the Rakuten Saikyo Satellite Service], since it’s broadband, users can not only send text messages or do voice calls, but can even stream videos, go on social media platforms and make video calls on messenger apps.”

https://rakuten.today/blog/...rst-satellite-to-mobile-video-call.html
 

Rakuten Link: Monetization of the Rakuten Ecosystem

April 01, 2025

In this session at the Rakuten Booth in MWC Barcelona 2025, Marc Einstein, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, hosts a panel discussion with Puneet Handa, Head of Business Strategy & Portfolio at Rakuten Symphony, and Luca Milillo, Vice President of Rakuten Link, as they discuss Rakuten Link: The Super IntelliApp and how this represents the culmination of years of research and development and displays the strength of AI and the Rakuten Ecosystem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXYzlirmks8&t=157s
 

A New Satellite Design & Other AST News

April 15, 2025

March was another busy month for AST SpaceMobile, here’s your full recap.

We’ll cover:

UBS, Deutsche Bank, and Scotiabank raise AST stock targets

New satellite design revealed (FM1) with 30m² solar panel

AST now has 40 BlueBirds in production & targets 6/month by late 2025

AST forms ‘SatCo’ with Vodafone to serve all of Europe

Mission Critical: AST’s emergency services connectivity initiative

FCC gateway approvals unlock US operations

New MNO partnerships & 3 billion potential users worldwide

AST to launch at least 60 satellites before end of 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VkPSU12oIo
 

Rakuten Mobile Hosts Global MNO Conference in Tokyo

May 02, 2025

Rakuten Mobile hosted the Innovative Operators (IO) APAC Connect conference at Rakuten Crimson House in Tokyo. Attendees discussed key industry trends, including 5G, VoLTE (Voice over Long-term Evolution), and e-SIM technology. RNN interviewed speakers at the event for insights into these trends and their impression of Rakuten Mobile. By fostering collaboration and innovation, Rakuten Mobile aims to strengthen its global presence and contribute to the advancement of the telecommunications industry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJNA0RxyQc8&t=10s
 

Top Institutional Holders of AST Space Mobile
    Holder§% of holding Shares Held Date Reported Value (In 1,000s)
Rakuten Group, Inc. 13.15% 31,020,155 Apr 17, 2025 818,932
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 6.35% 14,987,351 Dec 31, 2024 395,666
BlackRock, Inc. 4.57% 10,793,056 Dec 31, 2024 284,937
AT&T Inc. 2.65% 6,260,440 Feb 03, 2025 165,276

https://www.investing.com/equities/...ce-acquisition-corp-n-ownership

 

25.03.2025

AST baut ein Netzwerk auf, das wahrscheinlich praktisch über Nacht Milliarden an freiem Cashflow generieren wird. AST ist derzeit konkurrenzlos und ebnet den Weg für einen exponentiellen Anstieg seines freien Cashflows pro Aktie. Wie ich später noch näher erläutern werde, sind die Satelliten von AST einzigartig, da sie eine direkte Breitbandverbindung zum Weltraum ermöglichen und so (im Gegensatz zu Starlink) keine speziellen Satellitentelefone benötigen. Kein anderes Raumfahrtunternehmen weltweit ist auch nur annähernd in der Lage, dies zu erreichen. Und obwohl SpaceX theoretisch über die Ressourcen verfügt, glaube ich, dass der Technologie-Stack von AST so spezialisiert ist, dass er einen undurchdringlichen Schutzwall darstellt. Die Finanzzahlen von AST geben nicht viele Informationen preis, da das Unternehmen im Wesentlichen noch keine Einnahmen erzielt. Jeder eingesetzte Satellit bringt AST jedoch einen Schritt näher an den Aufbau eines Netzwerks, das plötzlich mit freiem Cashflow explodieren wird. AST bietet Smartphone-Nutzern 5G-Konnektivität überall, solange sie SMS abonnieren. AST hat bereits fünf voll funktionsfähige Block-1-Satelliten in Betrieb genommen und verfügt über Absichtserklärungen (Memorandum of Understanding) für drei Milliarden Menschen. Wie wir sehen werden, handelt es sich dabei nicht nur um leere Versprechungen. Sobald die Zahl der Satelliten auf über 45 bis 60 ansteigt, kann AST schnell auf Hunderte Millionen Endkunden skalieren.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYvf_z2U_JA
 

Why Rakuten Advertising is the Most Influential Affiliate Marketing Network for Businesses

December 03, 2024

Rakuten Advertising is the #1 largest global network featuring exclusive brands and top-tier partners. Trusted by the world’s top brands to deliver – what can we do for you? Reach audiences, find opportunities, and exceed expectations. Join us today to start working with our industry-leading experts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DfAT9bpUlM