Argus Research: Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA) – Building a Loyalty-Driven E-Commerce Platform in Southeast Asia

Rhea-AI Summary

Argus Research issued a favorable equity report for Society Pass Inc. (SOPA), a Southeast Asian e-commerce platform founded in 2018. SoPa targets high-growth markets like Vietnam and Indonesia, focusing on acquiring smaller companies to expand its ecosystem. With 3.3 million registered users and 205,700 merchants, SoPa's Q2 2022 revenue was approximately $500,000. Argus forecasts 2022 revenues of $7 million, rising to $30 million in 2023, and suggests a fair value of $8 per SOPA share based on anticipated growth driven by its loyalty program and acquisitions.

Positive

• Established a registered consumer base of over 3.3 million and 205,700 affiliated merchants.
• Strong growth potential in Southeast Asia's e-commerce sector, with GDP growth averaging 4.6% since 2010.
• Forecasted revenue growth from $7 million in 2022 to $30 million in 2023, driven by acquisitions and loyalty programs.
• Current market cap near $50 million suggests undervaluation compared to growth prospects.

Negative

• Q2 2022 revenues of approximately $500,000 indicate the platform is still in its nascent stage.
• Revenue forecasts are highly dependent on successful acquisitions and the integration of new companies.

NEW YORK, NY, Aug. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – Argus Research Company (“Argus Research”) issues Equity Research Report on Society Pass Inc. (Nasdaq: SOPA) (“SoPa”).

Click Here (on Society Pass website) or Here (on Argus Research website) to view the full Argus Research Equity Research Report.

Summary Points:

• Society Pass Inc. (“SoPa”), founded in 2018 and based in Singapore, operates e-commerce platforms in Southeast Asia (“SEA”). SoPa focuses on the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, which together account for more than 80% of the Southeast Asian population. SoPa’s vertical markets include Lifestyle, Grocery and Food Delivery, Mobile Telecommunications, Loyalty, Travel, and Digital Media. Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

• SoPa’s business model is based upon acquiring smaller e-commerce companies with high growth potential at a relatively low cost and expanding its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa plans to integrate these diverse businesses by attracting and retaining customers through a loyalty program called Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly in the beginning of 2023. Loyalty program members will be able to redeem points to make purchases directly from Society Pass or from affiliated merchants. They will also receive personalized promotions and discounts based on the company’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. Argus Research believes that this open-loop loyalty program differentiates Society Pass from other regional competitors.

• As of August 2022, SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,700 affiliated merchants and brands. Second-quarter 2022 revenues of approximately $500,000 reflect the nascent stage of its platform rollout.

• Argus Research has a favourable view of SoPa’s target markets given its still limited e-commerce capabilities and strong projected growth. Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand all have young, rapidly-growing populations with a median age of 25-32, compared to an estimated 42 in China, a much more mature market. SEA economies are also growing at a faster-than-average rate. According to the International Monetary Fund, since 2010, SEA has averaged 4.6% GDP growth, compared to 0.7% in Japan, 0.8% in the EU, and 1.7% in the US.

• Argus Research forecasts 2022 revenues of $7 million and 2023 revenue of $30 million, primarily driven by Leflair and supported by Pushkart, Handycart, and other recently completed acquisitions. Argus Research expects the broad launch of the Society Points programs to accelerate the revenue growth trajectory, and Argus Research forecasts a revenue run rate of approximately $40 million by the end of 2023 (for entities whose acquisition have already closed).

• SoPa’s recent market cap near $50 million is close to one-time 2023 year-end revenue run-rate forecast of $40 million, and well below the average multiple of four-to-five times for a basket of comparable e-commerce peers. Argus Research believes the current valuation does not seem to reflect adequately SoPa’s growth prospects, driven by acquisitions, the loyalty points program, and continued economic recovery in SEA. Further, Argus Research thinks that the restructuring of Leflair to a separate entity that can eventually support its own public listing can unlock shareholder value for SoPa, with an attractive return on capital, under a holding company model.

• To value Society Pass, Argus Research applies a six-times multiple to a year-end 2023 revenue run-rate forecast of $40 million, discounted back one period at 10%. Argus Research then adjusts based on its outlook for $15 million in cash and share count of 30 million at the end of 2022, and arrive at a fair value estimate for SOPA of $8 per share, well above current levels.

• In Argus Research’s view, a premium to the peer average is warranted, given the early stage of Society Pass’ revenue-growth trajectory. Argus Research notes that its revenue assumptions could change significantly, as the company continues its M&A strategy and integrates new companies into its product and service ecosystem.

About Society Pass Inc.

As a digitally-focused loyalty and data marketing ecosystem in Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, SoPa is an acquisition-focused e-commerce holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

SoPa’s business model focuses on analysing user data through its Society Pass loyalty platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points. The SoPa loyalty platform drives customer acquisition and increases customer retention for merchants. Since its inception, SoPa has amassed over 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants/brands onto its platform. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan, the leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/.

Media Contacts:
PRecious Communications
sopa@preciouscomms.com

FAQ

What is Society Pass Inc. (SOPA)?

Society Pass Inc. (SOPA) is a Southeast Asian e-commerce platform that operates various online marketplaces and loyalty programs.

What are the main markets for Society Pass?

Society Pass primarily targets Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

What is the revenue forecast for Society Pass in 2023?

Argus Research projects Society Pass to generate $30 million in revenue for 2023.

How many users does Society Pass have?

As of August 2022, Society Pass has over 3.3 million registered consumers.

What is the expected fair value of SOPA shares?

Argus Research estimates a fair value of $8 per share for SOPA, based on projected revenue growth.