INVESTORS with a yen for stock shopping came up short-changed when they bought into the initial public offerings of Jusco Stores and Yaohan International Holdings.
Both Japanese department stores have proved the biggest disappointment among the new listings and rank among the 10 worst performers over the year.
Yaohan International was the sixth worst, down 46 per cent from its issue price to $1.45.
Its competitor, Jusco came in just behind as the seventh worst new listing, down 38 per cent to $1.
Rising rents and tighter margins have taken the shine off both companies, but it was a high price at listing that is most to blame, according to analysts.
'Department stores trade at a low price-earnings multiple, but at the time they were listed they were already very expensive,' said a Japanese analyst.
'Japanese department stores just do not do as well as Lane Crawford,' he added.