tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Ajinomoto Co Inc (JP:2802)
:2802
Advertisement

Ajinomoto Co (2802) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
2 Followers

Top Page

JP:2802

Ajinomoto Co

(2802)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 66 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
¥4,620.00
▲(10.05% Upside)
Ajinomoto Co's overall stock score is driven by a stable financial performance with some challenges, positive technical indicators suggesting a bullish trend, and valuation concerns due to a high P/E ratio. The most significant factor is the need to address declining revenue growth and manage leverage effectively to ensure long-term stability.
Positive Factors
Negative Factors

Ajinomoto Co (2802) vs. iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ)

Ajinomoto Co Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAjinomoto Co., Inc. is a Japanese multinational company primarily engaged in the production of amino acids, seasonings, processed foods, and pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1909, the company operates in two main segments: Food Products and Amino Acids. Its core offerings include umami seasoning products, frozen foods, and health-related ingredients, catering to both consumer and industrial markets. Ajinomoto is known for its flagship product, Ajinomoto seasoning, as well as a variety of other food and health products that enhance flavor and nutrition.
How the Company Makes MoneyAjinomoto generates revenue through several key streams. The Food Products segment, which includes seasonings, processed foods, and beverages, constitutes a significant portion of its income, driven by strong consumer demand in both domestic and international markets. The Amino Acids segment contributes to revenue through the sale of amino acids and related products for food, pharmaceuticals, and animal nutrition, leveraging the growing market for health and wellness products. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships and collaborations with other businesses in various sectors, enhancing its product offerings and expanding its market reach. Additionally, Ajinomoto invests in research and development to innovate and improve its products, which helps maintain a competitive edge and stimulate sales growth.

Ajinomoto Co Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 04, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
Next Earnings Date:Nov 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
Ajinomoto's earnings call showcased strong revenue and profit growth, particularly in the Seasonings & Foods segment, and projected a positive outlook for FY 2025. However, the company faced challenges in the Frozen Foods segment and experienced a decline in profit attributable to the parent company due to structural reforms. Delays in Bio-Pharma Services shipments and potential impacts from tariffs and economic uncertainties were noted. Overall, the highlights slightly outweigh the lowlights, indicating a cautiously optimistic sentiment.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Revenue and Growth
Sales in FY 2024 reached JPY1.530 trillion, an increase of 6% year-on-year, and business profit was JPY159.3 billion, an increase of 7.9% year-on-year. Revenue and profit are projected to increase further in FY 2025.
Strong Performance in Seasonings & Foods
Seasonings & Foods overseas continued to perform strongly, driving increased revenue overall. Both unit prices and volume increased by 3% overseas, resulting in a 6% sales growth on a local currency basis.
Significant Projected Increase in Profit for FY 2025
Ajinomoto forecasts a business profit of JPY180 billion for FY 2025, representing a 13% increase year-on-year. The Bio-Pharma Services & Ingredients segment is expected to significantly drive profit growth.
Positive Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns
Ajinomoto generated over JPY200 billion in operating cash flow in FY 2024 and plans to repurchase JPY100 billion in shares, enhancing shareholder returns.
New Business Initiatives and Expansions
Ajinomoto is focusing on new business initiatives such as amino acid feed to reduce greenhouse gases and fertilizer projects in Brazil, which are expected to contribute positively in the future.
Negative Updates
Challenges in the Frozen Foods Segment
The Frozen Foods segment struggled in Japan due to high raw material costs and the impact of currency translation, resulting in decreased profit.
Decline in Profit Attributable to Parent Company
Profit attributable to owners of the parent company decreased significantly due to structural reform expenses and the recording of an impairment loss from the sale of the Hayward Plant in North America.
Delays in Bio-Pharma Services Shipments
The Bio-Pharma Services segment faced delays in shipments, impacting the business profit forecast for FY 2024.
Impact of Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty
There is concern about potential impacts from tariffs and economic policy changes, especially affecting the CDMO and semiconductor businesses.
Company Guidance
During the Ajinomoto fiscal year 2024 results briefing, the company's leadership provided guidance for fiscal year 2025, highlighting several key metrics and strategic initiatives. Ajinomoto reported record sales of JPY1.530 trillion for FY 2024, marking a 6% year-on-year increase, and a 4% rise excluding currency translation impacts. Business profit reached JPY159.3 billion, representing a 7.9% increase year-on-year, or 4.5% without currency translation effects. Looking forward, Ajinomoto forecasts continued revenue and profit growth for FY 2025, with projected sales of JPY1.618 trillion, a 5.7% increase year-on-year, or 6.7% when excluding currency translation impacts. Business profit is expected to rise by 13% to JPY180 billion. The company is also committed to shareholder returns, planning to increase dividends and repurchase shares. Ajinomoto aims to enhance corporate value through strategic initiatives like evolving ASV (Ajinomoto Shared Value) indicators, with ROE and ROIC targets set at 19% and 12%, respectively, excluding the impact of the Forge acquisition. The company is focused on boosting its operating cash flow to over JPY220 billion and plans significant investments in intangible assets to support sustainable growth.

Ajinomoto Co Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Ajinomoto Co exhibits a stable yet challenging financial performance. While profitability margins remain reasonable, declining revenue growth and increasing leverage are areas of concern. The company must focus on reversing the negative revenue trend and managing debt levels to ensure long-term financial health. Cash flow generation is moderate, but the negative growth in free cash flow needs attention to support future investments.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Ajinomoto Co's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM gross profit margin is healthy at 36.39%, indicating effective cost management. However, the net profit margin has decreased to 5.14%, reflecting challenges in converting revenue into profit. The revenue growth rate is negative at -9.8%, suggesting a decline in sales compared to the previous period. EBIT and EBITDA margins are stable, but the decline in revenue growth is a concern.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a moderate financial position. The debt-to-equity ratio has increased to 0.80, indicating higher leverage, which could pose risks if not managed properly. Return on equity is at 10.36%, showing decent profitability relative to shareholder equity. The equity ratio stands at 40.17%, reflecting a balanced capital structure, but the rising debt levels warrant caution.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Cash flow analysis indicates some challenges. The free cash flow growth rate is negative at -12.42%, highlighting a decrease in available cash for reinvestment. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.44, suggesting moderate cash generation from operations. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.53, indicating that a significant portion of net income is converted into free cash flow, but the decline in growth is concerning.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.53T1.53T1.44T1.36T1.15T1.07T
Gross Profit556.37B550.76B511.45B470.39B425.90B406.22B
EBITDA205.48B209.22B232.75B226.85B197.67B168.07B
Net Income78.52B70.27B87.12B94.06B75.72B59.42B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.75T1.72T1.77T1.51T1.46T1.43T
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments197.92B164.78B171.54B132.78B151.45B181.61B
Total Debt558.42B496.06B491.68B336.50B363.96B406.82B
Total Liabilities979.01B907.86B890.43B688.77B717.32B763.44B
Stockholders Equity702.12B746.80B814.69B768.68B686.91B620.26B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow106.67B121.79B102.29B49.26B71.73B88.76B
Operating Cash Flow202.21B209.90B168.07B117.64B145.58B165.65B
Investing Cash Flow-91.73B-77.38B-132.43B-30.09B-61.57B-66.25B
Financing Cash Flow-94.86B-137.68B-6.75B-111.06B-123.06B-60.39B

Ajinomoto Co Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price4198.00
Price Trends
50DMA
4171.99
Positive
100DMA
4007.43
Positive
200DMA
3542.31
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
18.18
Positive
RSI
48.51
Neutral
STOCH
52.41
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For JP:2802, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 4198 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 4225.75, above the 50-day MA of 4171.99, and above the 200-day MA of 3542.31, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 18.18 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 48.51 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 52.41 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for JP:2802.

Ajinomoto Co Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
$1.06T17.0612.82%1.91%0.43%-0.47%
$1.22T20.3211.79%1.73%3.80%-7.21%
$637.52B16.679.18%1.19%3.91%2.46%
$818.90B16.2310.68%2.49%2.27%-7.76%
$4.17T53.1210.61%0.95%4.36%-3.39%
¥814.62B17.456.40%3.39%2.45%-9.06%
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
JP:2802
Ajinomoto Co
4,198.00
1,277.20
43.73%
JP:2801
Kikkoman
1,214.50
-568.92
-31.90%
JP:2269
Meiji Holdings Co
2,966.00
-474.50
-13.79%
JP:2897
Nissin Foods Holdings Co
2,776.00
-1,311.63
-32.09%
JP:2875
Toyo Suisan Kaisha
10,240.00
1,348.21
15.16%
JP:2212
Yamazaki Baking Co
3,096.00
44.11
1.45%

Ajinomoto Co Corporate Events

Ajinomoto Co. Advances Share Repurchase Program
Oct 2, 2025

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has announced the progress of its share repurchase program, initially resolved in May 2025. The company has repurchased 1,888,000 common shares for approximately JPY 7.95 billion between September 1 and September 30, 2025, as part of a broader plan to buy back up to 50 million shares by November 30, 2025. This move is part of Ajinomoto’s strategy to optimize its capital structure and enhance shareholder value, with plans to cancel all repurchased shares.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:2802) stock is a Hold with a Yen4620.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Ajinomoto Co stock, see the JP:2802 Stock Forecast page.

Ajinomoto Co. Advances Share Repurchase Program
Sep 2, 2025

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has announced the progress of its share repurchase program, which was resolved by the Board of Directors in May 2025. As of August 31, 2025, the company has repurchased 20,380,400 shares for a total of JPY 69.35 billion, with plans to cancel all repurchased shares. This move is part of a broader strategy to optimize capital structure and enhance shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:2802) stock is a Buy with a Yen4800.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Ajinomoto Co stock, see the JP:2802 Stock Forecast page.

Ajinomoto Co. Reports Mixed Q1 2025 Results
Aug 5, 2025

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is a Japanese company primarily engaged in the production of seasonings, processed foods, beverages, and amino acids, operating within the food and chemical industries. Known for its flagship product, AJI-NO-MOTO, the company has a global presence and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Ajinomoto Co. Reports Progress on Share Repurchase Program
Aug 4, 2025

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. announced the progress of its share repurchase program, which was initially resolved by the Board of Directors on May 8, 2025. As of July 31, 2025, the company has repurchased 17,601,800 shares for a total of JPY 58,210,814,139, with plans to cancel all shares repurchased under this program. This move is part of Ajinomoto’s strategy to optimize its capital structure and enhance shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:2802) stock is a Buy with a Yen3500.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Ajinomoto Co stock, see the JP:2802 Stock Forecast page.

Ajinomoto Co. Reports Improved Profits Amid Sales Dip
Aug 4, 2025

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. reported a slight decrease in sales for the three months ended June 30, 2025, but saw significant increases in business profit and profit before income taxes, indicating improved operational efficiency. The company also completed a 2-for-1 stock split and introduced ‘business profit’ as a new metric to better reflect core business results, which may enhance investor and management evaluation of its business portfolio.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:2802) stock is a Buy with a Yen3500.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Ajinomoto Co stock, see the JP:2802 Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Sep 23, 2025