Nintendo has No. 2 market cap in Japan

by Ross Miller { Sep 27th 2007 at 1:32PM }

Money-printing console maker Nintendo has now become the number two company in Japan in terms of market capitalization, beaten only by automaker Toyota, according to Financial Times.

Nintendo, whose value is currently 8.39 trillion yen (approx. US $73.2 billion) has just edged out Canon's market cap of 8.12 trillion yen. Don't expect the House of Mario to surpass Toyota, however, as its value nearly three times that of Nintendo's at 24 trillion yen.

The company surpassed Sony in late June this year when it reached a now-meager 6.54 trillion yen. Despite the dramatic increase in value, the Financial Time notes that many analyst believe Nintendo is still not overvalued, given its conservative profit forecasts and favorable currency exchange rates. With any luck, Nintendo can use all this newfound wealth to ensure there won't be a shortage of Wii consoles or copies of Smash Bros Brawl this holiday.

[Via Blogging Stocks]

Tags: business, nintendo

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Ponch @ Sep 27th 2007 1:39PM

and some people beleived the wii would be the end of nintendo....

Koopaknight29 @ Sep 27th 2007 1:43PM

Some people still do...

(Not me personally.)

n_revolution9 @ Sep 27th 2007 4:14PM

I KNOW!! Those stupid dumbasses!

NaeemTHM @ Sep 27th 2007 1:45PM

Someone should make a JPEG with Miyamoto and Iwata holding dollar bills with a caption that says: "My monies...let me show you them."

Almack64 (NOF - Ultrazord) @ Sep 27th 2007 1:49PM

lol, Please someone do that.

BTW I'm happy to see Luigi in the pic, he's always getting overlooked. Then again just like the second string QB on the Super Bowl winning team, soemtimes its good just to be on the team.

Victor @ Sep 27th 2007 6:46PM

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1783/monies2lw6.jpg

(:

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 1:45PM

yatta?

megaStryke @ Sep 27th 2007 1:52PM

I'm sure that no third-party game company will want to make serious games on Nintendo machines from here on out. Right? Wii is just a fad, right? It's definitely not a money-maker, right? No other company would want a piece of the pie, right? No one wants to play anything other than minigame collection anymore, right? Right? RIGHT!?!?!?!?!?

I'm going to buy Nintendo stock now.

DBX00 @ Sep 27th 2007 2:21PM

Nobody doubted that Nintendo has a fan base; I think people question whether going after the casual gamer and non-gamer audience would come at the sacrifice for hardcore games. I think so far that has proven true, which was perfectly evident at E3 when the big announcement was Wiifit. I'm not saying anything is wrong with the Wii, but it doesn't offer me the variety and depth that I get from the other systems. The Wii is a perfect compliment for the hardcore gamer but it doesn't stand as a system on its own. So far, the games just don't go beyond what you expect from Nintendo and crappy third-party titles (evident by a low attach rate). Low attach rate means that publishers/developers aren't making money on the console, even if the manufacturer is making a ton. Hence, first party games sell but nothing else does. In the end, Nintendo will hold their base with the Metroid, Mario, Super Smash Bros., and Zelda. Other than that, it has a long way to capturing 100 million consoles sold. This is something the DS isn't even half way to doing, so we'll see where things land.

Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 2:02PM

You're too late. Its pink stock is already pushing 70 dollars a share (up from 18 dollars a share a year ago this time.)

I am so damn mad, because I knew wii was gonna be huge for nintendo, but I didn't have any assets with which to purchase the stock.

So freakin mad.

License to ill @ Sep 27th 2007 2:07PM

And yet third party support still continues to suck for the wii.

Go figure...

Curmeo @ Sep 27th 2007 2:11PM

Wii is the McDonalds of gaming: dont confuse healthy sales to mean quality products. Wii is selling well because its dirt cheap compared to the competition: there's no longer a mere $100 difference, unlike last gen with GC and PS2/XBOX1.

arrrgh @ Sep 27th 2007 2:13PM

well they seem to be doing alright with what they've got
and considering they're arguably the best first party production house in the history of gaming...I don't think they are too worried

fawazr @ Sep 27th 2007 2:16PM

These really are strange times when it's a financial risk to exclusively develop a Playstation title, yet small companies get rich from making mediocre mini games for a Nintendo console (looking at you, Majesco). Not a bad thing, mind you, just strange.

arrrgh @ Sep 27th 2007 2:17PM

yep, everything has completely flipped from the PSX days

MasterInsan0 @ Sep 27th 2007 2:31PM

Hate to nitpick you Curmeo, but actually there's only a $30 difference between the 360 Core and the Wii and a $100 difference between the 360 Premium and the Wii.

So yes, there is a "mere" $100 difference. Whether that difference is the main deciding factor in Nintendo's success is the question.

bm @ Sep 27th 2007 2:35PM

Curmeo: we're supposed to take any comments from someone with a retarded avatar like that seriously? Really man, that avatar just screams BAWWWWWWWW MY BUTTHOLE HURTS.

Curmeo @ Sep 27th 2007 2:39PM

MasterInsan0, dont let clever Xbox 360 pricing fool you. to fully enjoy what the 360 has to offer, one needs to invest in an HDTV, $50/year Xbox Live subscription, 20GB HDD etc. so no, its not a $30 to $100 difference. also dont forget Wii software doesnt go above $50, unlike PS3/360 software.

Curmeo @ Sep 27th 2007 2:45PM

MasterInsan0,

dont get fooled by clever 360 pricing. to fully enjoy what the 360 has to offer (its essence), one needs to invest in an HDTV, $50/year Xbox Live subscription, 20GB HDD etc. so no, its not a $30 to $100 price difference. also dont forget Wii software doesnt go above $50, unlike PS3/360 software.

megaStryke @ Sep 27th 2007 2:53PM

One, the Wii has a bigger attach rate than the PS3. Don't believe me? Do a quick Google search.

Two, if having the largest install base somehow means that the quality of the machine, and thereby the quality of all current and future software, is below that of the competition, then the PS2, PS1, SNES, and NES systems were total garbage. I think we know that's not the case.

Three, Curmeo has a capacity for logic that rivals that of a potato. He is the Jack Thompson or Uwe Boll of message board trolls.

MariosInferno @ Sep 27th 2007 2:57PM

"I'm not saying anything is wrong with the Wii, but it doesn't offer me the variety and depth that I get from the other systems. "

Uhhh, what?? The simple fact that Nintendo even gives a shit about the casual (worst f**king termever) gamer implies that you're going to get a wide variety of titles. Either you like the titles or you don't...the last thing ANYONE can fault the Wii for is NOT providing variety.

"So far, the games just don't go beyond what you expect from Nintendo and crappy third-party titles (evident by a low attach rate). Low attach rate means that publishers/developers aren't making money on the console, even if the manufacturer is making a ton."

WOW, where to begin??? Well, let's start with the obvious. Calculating attach rates involves games sold AS WELL AS how many systems you've sold. This is where it gets interesting, the 360 has been out for 2 years...2 years worth of games and 11M consoles sold. Wii has been out for roughly half the time with 1 year worth of games and 11.5 consoles sold. Fewer games with more consoles sold = LOWER ATTACH RATE. Rather than showing a poor software market for the Wii, it's actually showing an insane hardware market with average to above average software health. Attach rates mean roughly shit if your console is selling INSANE relative to the competition. You're citing a skewed # to support a foolish fanboy stat.

Anni @ Sep 27th 2007 3:01PM

Man, this Curmeo guy has a sweet avatar. 3000 hours MS Paint?

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 27th 2007 4:16PM

Shut up Anni! You almost made me burst into insane laughter in the library. I'm still holding it in.

Anni @ Sep 27th 2007 4:23PM

I'll be more careful, sir!

Mr Khan @ Sep 27th 2007 5:18PM

Anyone who thinks that 3rd party support for Wii (both casual and hardcore) is STILL in a bad way must've slept through TGS

i mean, damn, TGS was like a Wii 3rd-party coming-out debutante ball, or something...

James @ Sep 27th 2007 2:06PM

This is amazing. I'm really surprised they are doing so well. I haven't owned one of their systems since the N64 but I will always think of the highly. They make great games. Too bad I'm an HD freak now.

upz @ Sep 27th 2007 2:28PM

Now can we finally stop pretending Nintendo is the underdog?

Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 2:32PM

If you wanna get all technical, Sony is the underdog.

But we still hate sony, so they're not so much the underdog as the dog everybody kicks while he's down.

James @ Sep 27th 2007 2:41PM

Thing is Nintendo has always been top dog with handhelds. So they were half top and half underdog (what?! I'm gonna keep talking despite this sounding all silly...), now they' just plain rule everything they're in. Arguably they're only in gaming handheld and gaming console markets. But they're leading in them both!

They should go back to making brothells too. If they carry on this record it would be the best brothell in the world.

unfriendly_cat @ Sep 27th 2007 4:16PM

James: "half top and half underdog" - Wouldn't that make it... a dog?

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 27th 2007 4:24PM

In other words, Nintendo was the man now (then) dog.

I also think they should bring back Nintendo Ramen and Nintendo Shooting Arcades and Nintendo Love Hotels. Hell, I'd put my wang into anything with the Nintendo logo on it, especially if it had a glowing blue slot near the bottom... ::darts a lusty glance at his Wii::

rokerovakero @ Sep 27th 2007 2:50PM

New king or 3rd place, who cares as long as they keep making games. What surprises me is that many companies don't know how follow Nintendo, oh, right... patents... and HD console with motion controls would rock... I'm sure Sony and Microsoft are working in their own new controller, if anything the worst that can happen is that we get more amazing controllers.

arrrgh @ Sep 27th 2007 5:02PM

sony has that controller. It's called the sixaxis. It's a gay pallendrome. It has no rumble. Also, it's wayy too light and it sucks

So maybe HD and motion controls aren't so great?

phattie @ Sep 27th 2007 2:56PM

Have fun with your WiiFit and Mario Party 30 guys... we'll be playing Halo3, Assassin's, GTA4, a Real Resident Evil 5, etc..

megaStryke @ Sep 27th 2007 3:03PM

And when those franchises eventually find their way onto the Wii for future installments, we'll remember how a single fatass (seriously, that avy of yours makes me think you might have a little belly of your own, so get on a fuckin' treadmill) stood up against the oncoming threat of his little hobby.

Anni @ Sep 27th 2007 3:05PM

Yeah, you show those straw men arguments you only erected to immediately knock down and make yourself feel better, phattie!

phattie @ Sep 27th 2007 3:09PM

lol .. actually, im quite fit, i run a couple of marathons a year.. i thought it would be neat if my avatar was a fatass..

Im gonna play some Halo3 at a friend's house tonite... you guys can go play some more Cooking Mama.. lol

megaStryke @ Sep 27th 2007 3:16PM

Yeah, you run marathons and I own my chain of fitness centers. An avatar is a reflection of the user, and while mine says that I am a big fan of Mega Man games, yours tells me that either you are a fatass or someone who just consumes (not necessarily food consumption) without thinking things through.

So enjoy your Halo 3. I'm sure it's fantastic. I'm sure you are just pleased knowing that your rehashed sequels are somehow better than Nintendo's rehashed sequels because you can "fire ur lazerz" in yours.

Me @ Sep 27th 2007 3:29PM

It still confuses me how so many people have such an affinity towards just ONE console.

Get this, im going to hang out with some friends tonight. The first thing we might do is play some Wii Sports and have fun, then maybe kick it on over to some Halo 3. After going for a pizza run and getting sick of the annoying whiny sounding kids on xbox live we will play some Resistance or something. See what I did there? Kind of hard to believe that there are people out there that don't have the narrow mindedness to only like ONE console, when all of them have something different to offer...

daniel @ Sep 27th 2007 3:50PM

yeh fanboys are pretty stupid its like theyre closing off a load of games that they could be enjoying, i understand a lot of people cant afford all 3 current consoles, i know i can't but thats no excuse to be a fanboy

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 27th 2007 4:26PM

Hold on everybody, I got this one. I'm gonna use the old "confuse the troll" maneuver:

Haha, nice try Phattie, but we're gonna go have a blast playing some badass Cooking Mama, go have fun with your lame-ass J-Lo 3!

Splorky Fish @ Sep 27th 2007 3:33PM

So, about the total of Nintendo's assets minus Nintendo's liabilities....

I think it's pretty crazy that such a specialized company is so high on the list. Japan is home to a few automakers and a couple huge companies that deal all types of electronics. It's hard to imagine a company that makes games and takes names raking in more than such diversified companies that sell more necessary products.

Almack64 (NOF - Ultrazord) @ Sep 27th 2007 3:39PM

Must be the name taking

arrrgh @ Sep 27th 2007 5:06PM

that's true splorky. Yamaha makes everything from ATVs to toasters to guitars...HUUUUUGE company, many like it. and nintendo beat them out

Paviel @ Sep 27th 2007 6:57PM

"Yamaha makes everything from ATVs to toasters to guitars...HUUUUUGE company, many like it. and nintendo beat them out"

So has Toyota, and Toyota only makes cars.

Korova @ Sep 27th 2007 10:34PM

I have one word for you, just one word:

bubble

BlackTye @ Sep 27th 2007 3:41PM

This article says Nintendo in the title!

I must troll!

::RAWR::

billychaos @ Sep 27th 2007 4:17PM

I was trying to buy stocks as early as 2006 right after they showed the wiimote. Way back then, nintendo stocks were only about 13 bucks! Can you imagine if you bought a ton of their stock then! I wold have liked to put my life savings in them then sold it like today, heehe. I feel like I missed the boat now though,...oh well.

I do think their stock will break $100 by next summer (but i'm no analyst, just a hunch).

Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring) @ Sep 27th 2007 4:31PM

Sucks, don't it. For instance, I just took out a $20k debt consolidation loan (covered a student loan (non government), 2 credit cards, and a car). That, combined with mine and my wifes student loans puts me in 60k of debt.

If I had the foresight to take out said 20k loan and us it all to buy Nintendo stock, I would have increased my assets by 3.5 times, been totally out of debt now, and sitting in a pretty place.

But NOOOOoooo. I had to be broke with bad credit at the end of 2006. Now I will be broke with decent credit for the next 10 years.

Blarg, I am dead.