Rakuten Group vs Meituan: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Rakuten Group, Inc. (4755.JP)

Q3 202623 Jun – 10 Aug 2026

▲3▼1

Rakuten's satellite bet and first profit in seven years drive the story

Government grant for satellite network Japan will give Rakuten up to 148 billion yen to build a domestic satellite communications network, reducing reliance on foreign services like Starlink. This is a huge cash injection that lowers the cost and risk of a new growth business, supporting the share price.
This is a major new capital boost that directly improves Rakuten's financial position and future prospects.
Joint venture with AST SpaceMobile Rakuten is forming a joint venture with AST SpaceMobile to offer satellite-powered mobile service in Japan, with coverage targeted for next year. This opens a new revenue stream and strengthens Rakuten Mobile's offering, which the market views as a positive growth driver.
The JV is a concrete new business expansion that could add subscribers and revenue, directly impacting Rakuten's value.
First operating profit in seven years Rakuten reported a 50.4 billion yen operating profit for the June 2026 interim period, its first in seven years, as internet shopping and financial services grew strongly and mobile losses narrowed. This shows the core business is turning around, a key positive for the stock.
Profitability is the most fundamental driver of share price, and this milestone signals a major improvement in Rakuten's financial health.
Mobile service disruptions after Kumamoto earthquake Rakuten Mobile's services were disrupted in Kumamoto after a powerful earthquake, with no timeline for restoration. While temporary, this highlights network vulnerability and could hurt customer trust and add costs, a modest negative for the stock.
This is a new operational setback that could affect Rakuten Mobile's reputation and near-term performance.

July 202623 Jun – 10 Aug 2026

▲3▼1

Rakuten's satellite bet and first profit in seven years drive the story

Government grant for satellite network Japan will give Rakuten up to 148 billion yen to build a domestic satellite communications network, reducing reliance on foreign services like Starlink. This is a huge cash injection that lowers the cost and risk of a new growth business, supporting the share price.
This is a major new capital boost that directly improves Rakuten's financial position and future prospects.
Joint venture with AST SpaceMobile Rakuten is forming a joint venture with AST SpaceMobile to offer satellite-powered mobile service in Japan, with coverage targeted for next year. This opens a new revenue stream and strengthens Rakuten Mobile's offering, which the market views as a positive growth driver.
The JV is a concrete new business expansion that could add subscribers and revenue, directly impacting Rakuten's value.
First operating profit in seven years Rakuten reported a 50.4 billion yen operating profit for the June 2026 interim period, its first in seven years, as internet shopping and financial services grew strongly and mobile losses narrowed. This shows the core business is turning around, a key positive for the stock.
Profitability is the most fundamental driver of share price, and this milestone signals a major improvement in Rakuten's financial health.
Mobile service disruptions after Kumamoto earthquake Rakuten Mobile's services were disrupted in Kumamoto after a powerful earthquake, with no timeline for restoration. While temporary, this highlights network vulnerability and could hurt customer trust and add costs, a modest negative for the stock.
This is a new operational setback that could affect Rakuten Mobile's reputation and near-term performance.

Latest23 Jun – 10 Aug 2026

▲3▼1

Rakuten's satellite bet and first profit in seven years drive the story

Government grant for satellite network Japan will give Rakuten up to 148 billion yen to build a domestic satellite communications network, reducing reliance on foreign services like Starlink. This is a huge cash injection that lowers the cost and risk of a new growth business, supporting the share price.
This is a major new capital boost that directly improves Rakuten's financial position and future prospects.
Joint venture with AST SpaceMobile Rakuten is forming a joint venture with AST SpaceMobile to offer satellite-powered mobile service in Japan, with coverage targeted for next year. This opens a new revenue stream and strengthens Rakuten Mobile's offering, which the market views as a positive growth driver.
The JV is a concrete new business expansion that could add subscribers and revenue, directly impacting Rakuten's value.
First operating profit in seven years Rakuten reported a 50.4 billion yen operating profit for the June 2026 interim period, its first in seven years, as internet shopping and financial services grew strongly and mobile losses narrowed. This shows the core business is turning around, a key positive for the stock.
Profitability is the most fundamental driver of share price, and this milestone signals a major improvement in Rakuten's financial health.
Mobile service disruptions after Kumamoto earthquake Rakuten Mobile's services were disrupted in Kumamoto after a powerful earthquake, with no timeline for restoration. While temporary, this highlights network vulnerability and could hurt customer trust and add costs, a modest negative for the stock.
This is a new operational setback that could affect Rakuten Mobile's reputation and near-term performance.

Meituan (3690.HK)

Q3 202617 Jun – 28 Aug 2026

▲2▼2

Meituan's subsidy war cools as Q2 profit returns, but Alibaba and JD keep fighting

New subsidy rules curb the cash-burning delivery war China's market regulator proposed 10 rules banning prolonged, large-scale subsidy wars in food delivery. Meituan has burned huge cash defending its share, so less forced discounting should improve its long-term profit per order, even though the shares dipped on the day.
Regulation directly changes the competitive economics that have crushed Meituan's margins.
Alibaba bids $1.5B for Pupu, reigniting grocery-delivery rivalry Alibaba offered $1.5 billion for grocery delivery firm Pupu, months after Meituan agreed to buy Dingdong Fresh for $717 million. The bidding war shows rivals are again spending to win market share rather than protect profits, which pressures Meituan to keep investing.
A direct competitive escalation that could reverse the profit-friendly subsidy truce.
JD.com stays aggressive in delivery despite calmer fight JD beat profit estimates as its food delivery losses narrowed, and still targets 30% of the instant-delivery market by year-end, double its starting share. Even with regulators warning against aggressive competition, JD's expansion keeps pressure on Meituan's share and pricing.
Shows the competitive threat is structural, not fading, even as JD's losses shrink.
Record Q2 revenue and return to core profitability Meituan posted record quarterly revenue of RMB104.6 billion, up 14.4%, with adjusted net profit of RMB2.5 billion and core local commerce back in profit. It holds RMB168.3 billion cash and may sell investments worth over RMB70 billion to fund growth and returns.
The clearest evidence yet that Meituan's core business can make money again.

July 202617 Jun – 28 Aug 2026

▲2▼2

Meituan's subsidy war cools as Q2 profit returns, but Alibaba and JD keep fighting

New subsidy rules curb the cash-burning delivery war China's market regulator proposed 10 rules banning prolonged, large-scale subsidy wars in food delivery. Meituan has burned huge cash defending its share, so less forced discounting should improve its long-term profit per order, even though the shares dipped on the day.
Regulation directly changes the competitive economics that have crushed Meituan's margins.
Alibaba bids $1.5B for Pupu, reigniting grocery-delivery rivalry Alibaba offered $1.5 billion for grocery delivery firm Pupu, months after Meituan agreed to buy Dingdong Fresh for $717 million. The bidding war shows rivals are again spending to win market share rather than protect profits, which pressures Meituan to keep investing.
A direct competitive escalation that could reverse the profit-friendly subsidy truce.
JD.com stays aggressive in delivery despite calmer fight JD beat profit estimates as its food delivery losses narrowed, and still targets 30% of the instant-delivery market by year-end, double its starting share. Even with regulators warning against aggressive competition, JD's expansion keeps pressure on Meituan's share and pricing.
Shows the competitive threat is structural, not fading, even as JD's losses shrink.
Record Q2 revenue and return to core profitability Meituan posted record quarterly revenue of RMB104.6 billion, up 14.4%, with adjusted net profit of RMB2.5 billion and core local commerce back in profit. It holds RMB168.3 billion cash and may sell investments worth over RMB70 billion to fund growth and returns.
The clearest evidence yet that Meituan's core business can make money again.

Latest17 Jun – 28 Aug 2026

▲2▼2

Meituan's subsidy war cools as Q2 profit returns, but Alibaba and JD keep fighting

New subsidy rules curb the cash-burning delivery war China's market regulator proposed 10 rules banning prolonged, large-scale subsidy wars in food delivery. Meituan has burned huge cash defending its share, so less forced discounting should improve its long-term profit per order, even though the shares dipped on the day.
Regulation directly changes the competitive economics that have crushed Meituan's margins.
Alibaba bids $1.5B for Pupu, reigniting grocery-delivery rivalry Alibaba offered $1.5 billion for grocery delivery firm Pupu, months after Meituan agreed to buy Dingdong Fresh for $717 million. The bidding war shows rivals are again spending to win market share rather than protect profits, which pressures Meituan to keep investing.
A direct competitive escalation that could reverse the profit-friendly subsidy truce.
JD.com stays aggressive in delivery despite calmer fight JD beat profit estimates as its food delivery losses narrowed, and still targets 30% of the instant-delivery market by year-end, double its starting share. Even with regulators warning against aggressive competition, JD's expansion keeps pressure on Meituan's share and pricing.
Shows the competitive threat is structural, not fading, even as JD's losses shrink.
Record Q2 revenue and return to core profitability Meituan posted record quarterly revenue of RMB104.6 billion, up 14.4%, with adjusted net profit of RMB2.5 billion and core local commerce back in profit. It holds RMB168.3 billion cash and may sell investments worth over RMB70 billion to fund growth and returns.
The clearest evidence yet that Meituan's core business can make money again.