6522 アスタリスク announced a collaboration with Smaregi and the development of an RFID smart cart in late August, sending its share price sharply higher, but subsequently revised its full-year earnings outlook downward into a loss in a timely disclosure. The key monitoring points through the next earnings release are set out below.
アスタリスク has built a business model centered on its flagship AsReader products, combining RFID and barcode-scanning technology with smartphones. Attention is currently focused on the rollout of RFID smart carts and AsRegi+, as well as the unmanned and faster operation of store checkouts through its collaboration with Smaregi.
As part of the latest developments, the company announced its collaboration with Smaregi and the development of an RFID smart cart in late August, and its share price reached the daily price limit. However, a timely disclosure shortly afterward reported that the full-year earnings outlook had been revised downward into a loss.
The downward revision into a loss was announced after the market close on 31 August, creating a situation in which the long-term growth strategy conflicts with short-term financial strength. Investors will need to calmly assess both the strength of the catalysts and the delay in earnings performance.
Key points to monitor going forward include the timing of the next earnings release, large-scale AsReader deployments, and developments in the US government procurement market. Attention will continue to focus on the direction of recovery in the company’s business structure and the growth of sales.