Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Further PM Ishiba flip-flopping on his previously hawkish rates policy, set to catch markets wrong footed today.</li>
<li>Homebuilders may face a bigger fallout than expected from hurricane Helene given the potential to squeeze margins as materials and workers are prioritized for emergency efforts.</li>
<li>Exporters including autos, R/E and tourism related names should see renewed interest on the weak yen.</li>
</ul>


Further PM Ishiba flip-flopping on his previously hawkish rates policy, set to catch markets wrong footed today.
Homebuilders may face a bigger fallout than expected from hurricane Helene given the potential to squeeze margins as materials and workers are prioritized for emergency efforts.
Exporters including autos, R/E and tourism related names should see renewed interest on the weak yen.


Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>At end-September, the Nikkei 225 semi-annual review imposed a "cap" on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> in the Average, applying a 0.9 coefficient to the Price Adjustment Factor.</li>
<li>At its current weight, Fast Retailing will be capped again in March 2025. If the stock outperforms Nikkei 225 by another 3% before 31 January 2025, it could be double-capped.</li>
<li>And an additional 16% would mean ¥1.1trln of sales in March. But like last time, this is a rubber band which stretches. Too far, and selling pressure is obvious.</li>
</ul>


At end-September, the Nikkei 225 semi-annual review imposed a "cap" on Fast Retailing (9983 JP) in the Average, applying a 0.9 coefficient to the Price Adjustment Factor.
At its current weight, Fast Retailing will be capped again in March 2025. If the stock outperforms Nikkei 225 by another 3% before 31 January 2025, it could be double-capped.
And an additional 16% would mean ¥1.1trln of sales in March. But like last time, this is a rubber band which stretches. Too far, and selling pressure is obvious.


Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Considering Fast Retailing Capping.... Again...

Executive Director, Metrical Inc

Aki Matsumoto

Executive Director

Independent Leading Corporate Governance Research

Metrical Inc

METRICAL INC. is an independent leading Corporate Governance research firm in Japan where Corporate Governance is increasingly recognized as an important element on corporate management in these days. Thus, CG research and solutions would become an essential component of global capital markets and play important to contribute to transparency of the markets and maximize shareholders’ value in Japan. 

METRICAL INC. provides Corporate Governance research and analysis including rating services, and  also offers investment research and IR services with solutions and customized profound research on CG and IR issues.

<ul>
<li>Since the total shares held by Founder Family, trust Banks and FamilyMart exceed 50%, this director appointment proposal will pass unless the shareholders held by the trust banks oppose it.</li>
<li>Challenges will be noted in the function of the nominating committee, which nominated directors with few elements falling under the skills item, and in the disclosure of the skills matrix.</li>
<li>While PPIH's free cash flow is ample and growth is expected, shareholder returns and governance remain challenges, but with overseas investor equity exceeding 30%, much improvement is expected in future.</li>
</ul>


Since the total shares held by Founder Family, trust Banks and FamilyMart exceed 50%, this director appointment proposal will pass unless the shareholders held by the trust banks oppose it.
Challenges will be noted in the function of the nominating committee, which nominated directors with few elements falling under the skills item, and in the disclosure of the skills matrix.
While PPIH's free cash flow is ample and growth is expected, shareholder returns and governance remain challenges, but with overseas investor equity exceeding 30%, much improvement is expected in future.


Governance and Shareholder Return Are Likely to Improve, and Investors Continue to Pay Attention

<ul>
<li>Don't expect initial 'sell the fact' reaction to Fed's best-case 50 bps cut to weigh on Japan, with a lot of money on the sidelines in Asia to be deployed.</li>
<li>Shin-Etsu via its PVC sub Shintech and the Japanese home builders with high US exposure continue to look attractive as rate cut plays.</li>
<li>Further US export controls for allies on chip making equipment are imminent and names with lower China sales ratios remain the safer SPE plays.</li>
</ul>


Don't expect initial 'sell the fact' reaction to Fed's best-case 50 bps cut to weigh on Japan, with a lot of money on the sidelines in Asia to be deployed.
Shin-Etsu via its PVC sub Shintech and the Japanese home builders with high US exposure continue to look attractive as rate cut plays.
Further US export controls for allies on chip making equipment are imminent and names with lower China sales ratios remain the safer SPE plays.


Japan Morning Connection: Market Expected to Recover After Fed Announcement

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<ul>
<li>On 13 September, the Ministry of Finance of Japan added 7&amp;I to <a href="https://www.mof.go.jp/policy/international_policy/gaitame_kawase/press_release/20240913.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a list of "core" designated companies</a> based on results of voluntary inquiries to all listed companies.</li>
<li>Several media reports suggest that the change in 7&amp;I’s designation to core would complicate the proposed acquisition by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a>. The core designation will not change Couche-Tard's strategy.</li>
<li>The change to 7&amp;I’s designation to core will paradoxically push Couche-Tard to firm up its revised offer. An undemanding valuation protects the downside of a no-deal situation.</li>
</ul>


On 13 September, the Ministry of Finance of Japan added 7&amp;I to a list of "core" designated companies based on results of voluntary inquiries to all listed companies.
Several media reports suggest that the change in 7&amp;I’s designation to core would complicate the proposed acquisition by Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN). The core designation will not change Couche-Tard's strategy.
The change to 7&amp;I’s designation to core will paradoxically push Couche-Tard to firm up its revised offer. An undemanding valuation protects the downside of a no-deal situation.


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Core Designation Does Not Change Couche-Tard’s Calculus

Japan

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation operates discount stores which sell consumer electronics, daily necessities, groceries, watches, and sporting goods. The Company mostly operates small scale stores based in Tokyo.

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)

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Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)

Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Andrew Jackson

Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Considering Fast Retailing Capping.... Again...

Fast Retailing is the first Nikkei 225 stock to be capped. That meant nearly ¥400bn of selling yesterday. Now it is due to be capped again in 6...

Travis Lundy

Governance and Shareholder Return Are Likely to Improve, and Investors Continue to Pay Attention

I would like to discuss the issues on the August 16 Nikkei article, “Pan Pacific International Holdings Appoints 22-Year-Old Son of Yasuda's...

Metrical Inc

Japan Morning Connection: Market Expected to Recover After Fed Announcement

Japan expected to recover this morning after Fed announcement. Japanese home builders continue to look attractive. Companies with lower China...

Andrew Jackson

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Core Designation Does Not Change Couche-Tard’s Calculus

The change to 7&I’s designation to core will paradoxically push Couche-Tard to firm up its revised offer. An undemanding valuation protects the...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

​PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Andrew Jackson

Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Considering Fast Retailing Capping.... Again...

Fast Retailing is the first Nikkei 225 stock to be capped. That meant nearly ¥400bn of selling yesterday. Now it is due to be capped again in 6...

Travis Lundy

Governance and Shareholder Return Are Likely to Improve, and Investors Continue to Pay Attention

I would like to discuss the issues on the August 16 Nikkei article, “Pan Pacific International Holdings Appoints 22-Year-Old Son of Yasuda's...

Metrical Inc

Japan Morning Connection: Market Expected to Recover After Fed Announcement

​Japan expected to recover this morning after Fed announcement. Japanese home builders continue to look attractive. Companies with lower China...

Andrew Jackson

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Core Designation Does Not Change Couche-Tard’s Calculus

The change to 7&I’s designation to core will paradoxically push Couche-Tard to firm up its revised offer. An undemanding valuation protects the...

Arun George

PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Japan expected to recover this morning after Fed announcement. Japanese home builders continue to look attractive. Companies with lower China...