Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Share price up almost 30% since mid-July. Q1 results and FY Mar-23 guidance discounted. Look to the long term when this advance has been consolidated.</li>
<li>Focus on MLCCs for electric vehicles, new factories in Japan and the weak yen counter smartphone and PC/server slowdown. Capacity expansion in India also positive. </li>
<li>Alliance with CATL underscores the company's "China Plus Alpha" strategy. China for batteries, Japan for MLCCS, India for long-term growth potential. </li>
</ul>


Share price up almost 30% since mid-July. Q1 results and FY Mar-23 guidance discounted. Look to the long term when this advance has been consolidated.
Focus on MLCCs for electric vehicles, new factories in Japan and the weak yen counter smartphone and PC/server slowdown. Capacity expansion in India also positive. 
Alliance with CATL underscores the company's "China Plus Alpha" strategy. China for batteries, Japan for MLCCS, India for long-term growth potential. 


Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP) has been the poster child for "deep value" Japan traders and occasional wannabe activists. It has a huge equity portfolio which dwarfs market cap. </li>
<li>Every year, twice a year (end of May and early December) Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP) releases a document for a meeting with analysts and press called Information Meeting.</li>
<li>This year's is a little different in that it proposes sales of 10% of its equity portfolio. It's "small" but worth thinking about. </li>
</ul>


Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP) has been the poster child for "deep value" Japan traders and occasional wannabe activists. It has a huge equity portfolio which dwarfs market cap. 
Every year, twice a year (end of May and early December) Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP) releases a document for a meeting with analysts and press called Information Meeting.
This year's is a little different in that it proposes sales of 10% of its equity portfolio. It's "small" but worth thinking about. 


Bank of Kyoto (8369) Surprises With a Cross-Holding Sale Plan (Albeit Small)

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<ul>
<li>Heo Jae-Myeong, the CEO of Iljin Materials, is planning to sell his 53.3% stake in the company.</li>
<li>Potential buyers of Iljin Materials include Lotte, SK, LG, and POSCO.</li>
<li>The CEO Heo Jae-Myung could potentially receive greater amounts of money if he sells the company now, rather than waiting when the compulsory tender offer could be made into law.</li>
</ul>


Heo Jae-Myeong, the CEO of Iljin Materials, is planning to sell his 53.3% stake in the company.
Potential buyers of Iljin Materials include Lotte, SK, LG, and POSCO.
The CEO Heo Jae-Myung could potentially receive greater amounts of money if he sells the company now, rather than waiting when the compulsory tender offer could be made into law.


Iljin Materials: Is the Potential Change in Compulsory Tender Offer Forcing Owner to Speed Up Sale?

<ul>
<li>In early February 2022, Silchester International Investors (according to its website) sent letters to four low-ROE-earning Japanese regional banks proposing a new dividend policy.</li>
<li>The management and boards of each bank rejected the policy proposal though two of the four had upped their proposed dividend or changed policy prior, and two upped it afterwards.</li>
<li>While <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-kyoto" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5248:1" rel="noopener">Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP)</a> is the biggie, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiga-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18665:1" rel="noopener">Shiga Bank (8366 JP)</a> is another one with significant equity holdings. </li>
</ul>


In early February 2022, Silchester International Investors (according to its website) sent letters to four low-ROE-earning Japanese regional banks proposing a new dividend policy.
The management and boards of each bank rejected the policy proposal though two of the four had upped their proposed dividend or changed policy prior, and two upped it afterwards.
While Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP) is the biggie, Shiga Bank (8366 JP) is another one with significant equity holdings. 


JAPAN ACTIVISM:  Silchester Goes After Shiga Bank

David Blennerhassett

<ul>
<li>A 266% premium to last close. That is what <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/murata-manufacturing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11649:1" rel="noopener">Murata Manufacturing (6981 JP)</a> is Offering for 4.2%-held <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/resonant-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35582:1" rel="noopener">Resonant (RESN US)</a>.</li>
<li>The $4.50/share Offer price was last exceeded a little under a year ago. Shares have rolled over 84% since last February following an exuberant, meteoric spike over Resonant's RF capabilities. </li>
<li>The Offer is conditional on attaining ownership of 50% of shares out, including Murata's stake.  </li>
</ul>


A 266% premium to last close. That is what Murata Manufacturing (6981 JP) is Offering for 4.2%-held Resonant (RESN US).
The $4.50/share Offer price was last exceeded a little under a year ago. Shares have rolled over 84% since last February following an exuberant, meteoric spike over Resonant's RF capabilities. 
The Offer is conditional on attaining ownership of 50% of shares out, including Murata's stake.  


There Are Offer Premiums. And Then There's Resonant's

Japan

MURATA MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD. manufactures and sells ceramic applied electronic components.  The Company's products include filters, capacitors, thermistors, resistors, noise suppression components, coils, piezoelectric sound components, power supplies, sensors, hybrid integrated circuit (IC), and microwave components.

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Murata Manufacturing (6981 JP)

TDK (6762 JP): Getting Ahead of Itself

Strong June quarter points to short term profit taking. Focus on EVs and auto electronics, new factories in Japan, weak yen, alliance with CATL and...

Scott Foster

Bank of Kyoto (8369) Surprises With a Cross-Holding Sale Plan (Albeit Small)

Bk of Kyoto holds an "Information Meeting" twice a year. May's comes two weeks after earnings. This one holds a surprise with a new plan to reduce...

Travis Lundy

Iljin Materials: Is the Potential Change in Compulsory Tender Offer Forcing Owner to Speed Up Sale?

The CEO of Iljin Materials Heo Jae-Myung could potentially receive greater amounts of money if he sells his stake now, rather than waiting when the...

Douglas Kim

JAPAN ACTIVISM: Silchester Goes After Shiga Bank

Silchester Int'l Investors has written letters to four regional banks where it holds large stakes. The goal appears to be to urge public debate of...

Travis Lundy

There Are Offer Premiums. And Then There's Resonant's

This appears a pretty assured transaction from Murata. Assuming late March completion, I can Resonant trading around $4.40+.

David Blennerhassett

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