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Unicharm Corporation (JP:8113)
:8113

Unicharm (8113) AI Stock Analysis

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JP:8113

Unicharm

(8113)

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Outperform 78 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
¥1,163.00
▲(30.67% Upside)
Action:UpgradedDate:02/18/26
The score is primarily driven by resilient financial strength (very low leverage and solid free cash flow) and supportive technical momentum (price above major moving averages with positive MACD). These positives are partially offset by less attractive valuation (P/E ~28 with a modest yield) and recent income-statement cooling (slightly negative 2025 revenue and margin compression).
Positive Factors
Very low leverage / strong balance sheet
Extremely low debt and an improving debt-to-equity ratio give Unicharm durable financial flexibility. This reduces refinancing and interest-rate risk, supports investment in R&D and capacity, and allows the firm to prioritize organic growth or opportunistic M&A without stressing cash flow.
Strong free cash flow generation
Consistently positive and rising free cash flow indicates high quality earnings and internal funding for working capital, capex, and shareholder returns. Robust FCF supports long-term investments in product innovation and distribution, sustaining competitive positioning.
Resilient CPG business with demographic tailwinds
Recurring-purchase categories (diapers, feminine care, adult incontinence, pet care) provide stable volume and predictable cash flows. Aging populations in key Asian markets and entrenched retail distribution support long-term demand and pricing power for established brands.
Negative Factors
Recent revenue decline and margin compression
A declining top line and squeezed margins suggest pressure on price or cost structure that can erode long-term profitability if persistent. Slower revenue makes it harder to leverage fixed costs and fund marketing or R&D, risking competitive position over time.
Operating cash flow coverage weakness versus debt
OCF covering below 1x of debt indicates a mismatch between near-term cash generation and liabilities under stress scenarios. While absolute debt is low, limited OCF coverage reduces buffer for unexpected shocks or larger investments without drawing on cash reserves or capital markets.
Negative recent top-line and EPS growth
Material negative growth in revenue and EPS signals a deterioration in operational momentum. If these trends continue, they can constrain reinvestment, reduce scale advantages, and pressure returns on capital, limiting the firm's ability to finance long-term growth initiatives organically.

Unicharm (8113) vs. iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ)

Unicharm Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUnicharm Corporation engages in the manufacture and sale of baby and childcare, feminine care, health care, cosmetic, household, and pet care products in Japan and internationally. Its baby and child care products, including disposable diapers and baby wipes under the Moony, MamyPoko, Oyasumiman, and Torepanman brands; and feminine care products comprise napkins, tampons, panty liners, sanitary short, and other feminine care products under the Sofy, Center-In, and Unicharm brands. The company's wellness care products include napkin-type incontinence pads, pants-type diapers, tape-type diapers, pants-type specialized urine pads, and tape-type specialized urine pads under the Lifree and Charmnap brand; and masks under the Unicharm brands. It also provides home care products, including cleaning sheets under the Wave brand; cosmetic cotton and wet wipes under the Silcot brand; and paper towels under the Cook Up brand. In addition, the company offers pet care products that include pet foods, excrement cleanup sheets, system toilets, and disposable diapers under the Grand Deli, Best Balance, Physicalife Dog, Silver Plate, Manner Wear, Deo Sheet, Silver Spoon, AllWell, Physicalife Cat, Deo Toilet, Deo Sand, Deo Clean, Aiken Genki, and Neko Genki brands. Further, it is involved in the manufacture and sale of industrial materials, food-packaging materials, etc. The company was incorporated in 1941 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
How the Company Makes MoneyUnicharm generates revenue primarily through the sale of its personal care and hygiene products across various markets. The company operates on a direct sales model, distributing its products to retailers and wholesalers, while also selling directly to consumers through e-commerce platforms. Key revenue streams include the sale of disposable diapers, which is a major segment driven by demand from parents; feminine care products, which benefit from brand loyalty and product innovation; and health care products that cater to the aging population. Additionally, Unicharm has formed strategic partnerships with various retailers and distributors to expand its market reach, particularly in Asia and other international markets, which contributes to its overall earnings. The company also invests in marketing and brand development to strengthen its market position and drive sales growth.

Unicharm Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 05, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 08, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong performance in Japan and North America, along with strategic shareholder returns. However, significant challenges in Asia, particularly China, and a downward revision of forecasts indicate a cautious outlook.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Japan Business Performance
The Japan business achieved a 4.1% increase in net sales and a 2.9% increase in core operating income, marking the highest results ever recorded. This was driven by successful new products and an improved sales mix in wellness and pet care.
Insurance Income in India
Interim income attributable to owners of the parent company increased mainly due to the receipt of JPY5.3 billion in insurance income in India.
Pet Care Growth in North America
Net sales increased 14.6% and income up 25.3% in North America's pet care business, driven by new dog treats and strategic value shifting.
Middle East and Egypt Performance
Net sales increased 2.3%, core operating income rose 12.7%, and core operating margin increased to 14.6% due to strong performance in the Middle East and Egypt.
Dividend Increase and Shareholder Return
The annual dividend was increased by JPY3.3 per share to JPY18 per share, marking the 24th consecutive fiscal year of dividend increase. Additionally, an additional JPY10 billion of treasury stock will be repurchased.
Negative Updates
Decline in Core Operating Income
Core operating income decreased by JPY16.1 billion this fiscal year, with a significant decline in Asia, particularly in China, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Challenges in the Chinese Market
Sales and profits declined in China due to reputational incidents in feminine care and increased competition. This led to aggressive strategic investments impacting profits.
Difficult Performance in Asia
Net sales in Asia declined 14.5% and core operating income fell 69.4%, with challenges in China, Indonesia, and Thailand affecting performance.
Revised Downward Forecast
The earnings forecast for the fiscal year was revised downward due to slower-than-expected recovery in Asia and challenges in the feminine care segment in China.
Company Guidance
In the second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, Unicharm Corporation reported consolidated sales of JPY464.2 billion, a decline of 4.8%, and a core operating income of JPY57 billion, down 22% compared to the previous year. The decline was attributed to the reaction to record-high profits from the same period last year and reputational incidents affecting feminine care sales in China. Strategic marketing investments in Asia and rising logistics and DX-related costs in Japan also pressured earnings. Interim income attributable to owners increased due to JPY5.3 billion in insurance income from India and the utilization of tax loss carryforwards. In Japan, net sales increased by 4.1% and core operating income by 2.9%, driven by the penetration of the value shift in wellness care and pet care. In contrast, Asia saw a significant decline in net sales by 14.5% and core operating income by 69.4%, primarily due to challenges in China, Indonesia, and Thailand. For the rest of the world, net sales increased by 2.3%, and core operating income rose by 12.7%, with a strong performance in North America's pet care business and the Middle East. The company revised its earnings forecast downward, citing slower-than-expected recovery in Asia, ongoing challenges in China, and demographic shifts affecting the baby care market. Unicharm aims for a total return ratio of 50% or more for shareholders, planning to increase dividends and acquire additional treasury stock.

Unicharm Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong overall fundamentals supported by an exceptionally low-leverage balance sheet (debt-to-equity ~0.01) and consistently positive, improving free cash flow. The main detractor is softer recent operating performance, with revenue slightly negative in 2025 (-1.65%) and margin compression versus 2023–2024.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Unicharm shows solid profitability with healthy gross profit and operating margins, but momentum has cooled. Revenue growth turned slightly negative in 2025 (-1.65%) after modest growth in 2023–2024, and profitability stepped down in 2025 versus 2023–2024 (lower operating and net margins). Overall, earnings power remains good for the industry, but recent margin compression and softer top-line trends are key watch items.
Balance Sheet
93
Very Positive
The balance sheet is a clear strength: leverage is very low, with debt-to-equity improving to ~0.01 in 2025 from ~0.03–0.07 in prior years, alongside a large equity base and sizable assets. Returns on equity were consistently around low-teens in 2021–2024, indicating solid capital efficiency without heavy reliance on debt. The main limitation is that 2025 return on equity is not provided, so the latest-period return profile can’t be confirmed.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Cash generation is strong, with free cash flow consistently positive and growing sharply in 2025 (+16.37%) after a decline in 2024. Free cash flow covers a large portion of net income (roughly 64%–78% across the periods shown), supporting quality of earnings and financial flexibility. A weakness is that operating cash flow covers less than half of total debt in recent years (coverage below 1x), though this risk is mitigated by the company’s low absolute debt level.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue945.27B988.98B941.79B898.02B782.72B
Gross Profit355.85B389.91B351.53B328.60B313.64B
EBITDA156.69B185.00B180.56B161.16B160.80B
Net Income65.21B81.84B86.05B67.61B72.75B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.22T1.24T1.13T1.05T987.65B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments253.09B353.94B253.77B307.60B307.30B
Total Debt11.05B26.85B28.57B27.02B38.31B
Total Liabilities331.92B366.26B345.38B340.61B352.22B
Stockholders Equity794.71B773.06B695.72B618.88B557.64B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow102.84B97.77B124.00B59.27B70.58B
Operating Cash Flow131.47B137.10B162.41B92.22B105.25B
Investing Cash Flow-55.94B-73.84B-67.53B-7.14B-79.84B
Financing Cash Flow-86.64B-66.79B-67.01B-61.65B-45.18B

Unicharm Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price890.00
Price Trends
50DMA
933.69
Positive
100DMA
937.59
Positive
200DMA
992.27
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
37.49
Negative
RSI
67.48
Neutral
STOCH
88.69
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For JP:8113, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 890 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 985.97, below the 50-day MA of 933.69, and below the 200-day MA of 992.27, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 37.49 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 67.48 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 88.69 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for JP:8113.

Unicharm Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
¥1.98T28.9810.79%3.47%-1.56%-1.15%
77
Outperform
¥196.44B22.924.66%11.38%79.21%
76
Outperform
¥489.61B18.099.77%1.73%2.18%60.81%
71
Outperform
¥564.73B15.9513.22%1.53%18.35%31.87%
70
Outperform
¥2.98T25.2911.70%2.41%4.62%47.68%
62
Neutral
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
58
Neutral
¥1.24T-30.082.11%-1.20%-2896.72%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
JP:8113
Unicharm
1,065.00
-30.37
-2.77%
JP:4452
Kao
6,524.00
154.01
2.42%
JP:4912
Lion
1,744.00
-84.42
-4.62%
JP:4527
Rohto Pharmaceutical Co
2,377.00
129.92
5.78%
JP:4911
Shiseido Company,Limited
3,074.00
409.40
15.36%
JP:7956
Pigeon Corporation
1,644.00
70.57
4.49%

Unicharm Corporate Events

Unicharm Advances Share Buyback with ¥7.46 Billion Treasury Share Repurchase
Feb 17, 2026

Unicharm has repurchased 7,313,300 shares of its common stock for approximately 7.46 billion yen via the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s off-auction own share repurchase system ToSTNeT-3 on February 17, 2026. This transaction forms part of a broader buyback program authorized by the board on February 12, 2026, which allows for up to 30 million shares and 19 billion yen in repurchases through December 17, 2026, signaling continued emphasis on capital efficiency and shareholder value.

As of February 17, 2026, the company has used about 7.46 billion yen of the authorized 19 billion yen limit, acquiring roughly a quarter of the maximum 30 million shares permitted under the program. The ongoing buyback is expected to support earnings per share, optimize Unicharm’s capital structure and potentially bolster its share price, underscoring management’s confidence in the company’s financial position and future prospects.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:8113) stock is a Buy with a Yen1006.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Unicharm stock, see the JP:8113 Stock Forecast page.

Unicharm Sets ToSTNeT-3 Buyback Tranche Within ¥19 Billion Share Repurchase Plan
Feb 16, 2026

Unicharm has approved a specific tranche of its previously announced share buyback, opting to repurchase up to 7.35 million shares of common stock, or about 0.42% of its outstanding shares excluding treasury stock, via the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s ToSTNeT-3 off-auction system. The purchases, capped at roughly ¥7.5 billion at a fixed price of ¥1,020 per share, are scheduled for execution at the market opening on February 17, 2026, and form part of a broader buyback program of up to 30 million shares and ¥19 billion through December 2026.

The move underscores Unicharm’s continued emphasis on capital efficiency and shareholder returns, using a concentrated off-auction transaction to swiftly retire shares without prolonged market impact. While the company notes that market conditions could limit the actual volume acquired, the buyback framework signals confidence in its financial position and may provide incremental support to earnings per share and share price over the medium term.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:8113) stock is a Buy with a Yen1006.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Unicharm stock, see the JP:8113 Stock Forecast page.

Unicharm Launches ¥19 Billion Share Buyback to Boost Shareholder Returns
Feb 12, 2026

Unicharm’s board has approved a share buyback of up to 30 million common shares, representing about 1.72% of its outstanding stock excluding treasury shares. The company plans to spend up to 19 billion yen on the repurchase, to be executed via purchases on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, including ToSTNeT-3, between February 13 and December 17, 2026.

The buyback is aimed at enhancing shareholder returns and giving Unicharm greater flexibility in its capital policy amid a changing business environment. This move signals management’s confidence in the firm’s financial position and may support earnings per share and capital efficiency metrics, potentially benefiting existing shareholders through a tighter share float.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:8113) stock is a Buy with a Yen1006.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Unicharm stock, see the JP:8113 Stock Forecast page.

Unicharm Outlines Fiscal 2025 Performance and Cautions on Future Risks
Feb 12, 2026

Unicharm Corporation held an investor meeting to present materials covering its financial performance for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The presentation outlines the company’s results for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2025, while emphasizing that any performance projections are subject to risks and uncertainties such as market competition and foreign exchange fluctuations, which could materially affect actual outcomes.

The disclosure underscores the company’s intent to keep investors informed about its recent fiscal year, but also signals cautious guidance amid external risk factors that may influence future performance. This stance highlights management’s awareness of volatile market conditions and indicates that stakeholders should account for potential variability when assessing Unicharm’s outlook and valuation.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:8113) stock is a Buy with a Yen1006.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Unicharm stock, see the JP:8113 Stock Forecast page.

Unicharm Warns of Profit Drop for 2025 but Signals Earnings Rebound in 2026
Feb 12, 2026

Unicharm reported a 4.4% decline in net sales to ¥945.3 billion and a sharper 21.4% drop in core operating income for the year ended December 31, 2025, with profit attributable to owners of parent falling 20.3%. Despite weaker earnings, equity attributable to owners of parent rose to ¥794.7 billion, the equity ratio improved to 65.0%, and cash and cash equivalents remained robust at ¥253.1 billion.

The company cut its annual dividend to ¥18 per share for 2025, reflecting higher payout and dividend-to-equity ratios after a 3-for-1 stock split effective January 1, 2025. For fiscal 2026, Unicharm forecasts a recovery, guiding for 6.8% higher net sales to ¥1.01 trillion and a near 25% rebound in core operating income, signaling management’s expectation of improved profitability and a gradual restoration of shareholder returns.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:8113) stock is a Buy with a Yen1006.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Unicharm stock, see the JP:8113 Stock Forecast page.

Unicharm Slashes 2025 Earnings Forecast on Asia Setbacks and One-Off Charges
Feb 6, 2026

Unicharm has revised downward its consolidated forecast for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, cutting expected net sales, core operating income, profit before tax, and profit attributable to owners of the parent compared with its August 2025 projections and with FY2024 results. While performance in regions such as North America and the Middle East exceeded expectations, it was insufficient to offset weakness in China and Indonesia, where the Chinese feminine care business was hit by renewed reputational damage in October 2025 and Indonesian operations faced shipment adjustments amid distributor changes in a tough market environment. Profitability will be further pressured by approximately ¥6.0 billion in impairment losses on Asian assets and about ¥6.9 billion in one-time charges tied to the revaluation of GST-related assets in India following legal changes, leading to a sharp downgrade in profit before tax and earnings per share and signaling ongoing operational and regulatory challenges in key Asian markets.

The most recent analyst rating on (JP:8113) stock is a Buy with a Yen1006.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Unicharm stock, see the JP:8113 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: Feb 18, 2026