A New Generation of Characters Delivers 150% Return From Hello Kitty Owner
- Licensing business seen as key as Japan’s soft power spreads
- K-Pop collaborations have markedly increased Sanrio’s appeal
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Hello Kitty turned 50 this year, but if the rally in Sanrio Co.’s stock is any guide the iconic cat-like character is under threat from a new generation.
Shares in Hello Kitty’s owner have surged over 150%, making them a runaway leader in the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s wholesale sector index in 2024. Sanrio has outperformed the benchmark Topix index 10-fold.