Tokyo-based online securities broker KABU has hired two new professionals in the senior level roles. The two new professionals to the team are Yasuko Nakamura and Keiichi Komatsu, both are hired from outside the company. According to the company release, Yasuko Nakamura will be Director of Business Administration and Keiichi Komatsu is hired for the role of Sales promotion manager.
The appointments have been made effective from January 1st 2019. The broker stopped further revealing the nature of work or responsibilities at the firm. The appointment comes few weeks after the company announced its financial results in November.
The broker has reported a significant month-on-month decline in revenue in November compared to October which has been the trend of the industry by far this year. In November 2018, the operating revenue came in at ¥1.51 billion ($13.38 million), which is 15 per cent lower compared to the ¥1.77 billion ($15.66 million) in October. Total revenue from the commission from its brokerage activity in November came in at ¥592 million ($5.24 million), a drop of around $147 million from October’s figure which was at ¥739 million ($6.54 million).
The second quarter result for the broker was also disappointing, with revenue coming in at ¥10.9 billion ($97.2 million), 4 per cent year-on-year drop from ¥11.4 billion ($102.5 million).
About KABU.com : We are the MUFG Group’s only dedicated online securities company. In November 2014, we marked our 15th anniversary. We work to provide cutting-edge services by using “in-house systems” and “partnerships with MUFG Group companies.” Under the concept of “pursuing risk management,” we provide individual investors with our unique services with uncompromised convenience and stability, enhance their awareness and offer “new investment styles.”
Regarding shareholder return, we focus on the “total return ratio” that combines dividends and share buy-backs, while retaining a robust financial base commensurate with the line of business and internal reserves necessary for the future business expansion. For the three-year period from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, the Company sets an objective of 100% for the average total return ratio. With regard to the annual dividend combining interim dividend and year-end dividend, we set a “50% payout ratio and 4% DOE” as the minimum objective. Our policy for share buy-backs is to conduct them with flexibility by comprehensively considering the market price of the Company’s share, its liquidity, number of individual shareholders, and other circumstances.
