Free Cash Flow RecoveryPOPLAR's recovery to positive free cash flow (¥352.3 million in 2025) demonstrates renewed internal cash generation capacity. Sustained FCF enables deleveraging, funds content and digital investments, supports working capital needs, and improves resilience to revenue volatility over the medium term.

Balance-sheet RepairRebuilding shareholders' equity to ¥780.8 million in 2025 and an improved equity ratio signal a meaningful balance-sheet repair after prior negative equity. Stronger equity enhances borrowing capacity, reduces solvency risk, and provides a buffer for strategic investments and cyclical downturns.

Diversified Revenue StreamsPOPLAR's multi-channel revenue mix—retail sales, institutional educational contracts, partnerships, and licensing—creates resilience against single-market shocks. Stable institutional demand for educational materials and licensing upside support recurring revenues and strategic monetization over time.

Bears Say

Declining Revenue TrendTotal revenue fell sharply from ¥25.37 billion (2020) to ¥12.03 billion (2025), indicating a severe multi-year top-line contraction. Persistent revenue erosion undermines operating leverage, pressures margins, and limits scale benefits in publishing, making sustainable investment and growth harder.

Volatile Operating Cash FlowOperating cash flow has been highly inconsistent, with substantial negative values in prior years despite 2025 recovery. This volatility complicates capital planning, raises reliance on external liquidity in downturns, and increases refinancing and execution risk if negative swings resume.

Unstable ProfitabilityIntermittent negative net income (2022–2023) and historically negative EBIT highlight unstable operating profitability. Although EBIT turned positive in 2025, margin durability is uncertain without reversing the revenue decline and embedding sustained cost discipline across publishing cycles.

7601 FAQ

What was POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s price range in the past 12 months?

POPLAR Co., Ltd. lowest stock price was ¥156.00 and its highest was ¥215.00 in the past 12 months.

What is POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s market cap?

POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s market cap is ¥2.04B.

When is POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s upcoming earnings report date?

POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s upcoming earnings report date is Apr 14, 2026 which is in 38 days.

How were POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s earnings last quarter?

POPLAR Co., Ltd. released its earnings results on Jan 09, 2026. The company reported -¥0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of N/A by -¥0.11.

Is POPLAR Co., Ltd. overvalued?

According to Wall Street analysts POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s price is currently Overvalued. Get more investment ideas with TipRanks Premium

Does POPLAR Co., Ltd. pay dividends?

POPLAR Co., Ltd. pays a Semiannually dividend of ¥5 which represents an annual dividend yield of N/A. See more information on POPLAR Co., Ltd. dividends here

What is POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s EPS estimate?

POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s EPS estimate for its next earnings report is not yet available.

How many shares outstanding does POPLAR Co., Ltd. have?

POPLAR Co., Ltd. has 13,938,133 shares outstanding.

What happened to POPLAR Co., Ltd.’s price movement after its last earnings report?

POPLAR Co., Ltd. reported an EPS of -¥0.11 in its last earnings report, missing expectations of N/A. Following the earnings report the stock price went up 5.233%.

Which hedge fund is a major shareholder of POPLAR Co., Ltd.?

Currently, no hedge funds are holding shares in JP:7601

What is the TipRanks Smart Score and how is it calculated?

Smart Score combines eight research factors - such as analyst recommendations, hedge fund trends, and technical indicators - to measure a stock’s outlook. These signals are unified into a single score that reflects bullish or bearish momentum. See detailed methodology

Company Description

POPLAR Co., Ltd.

Poplar Co., Ltd. operates convenience stores in Japan. Its convenience stores offer pop valve, bento, rice balls, salads, noodles, bakery products, cooking breads, counter foods, and sweets. The company operates a chain of approximately 461 stores. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Hiroshima, Japan.