Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.</li>
<li>FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. </li>
<li>We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.</li>
</ul>


The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.
FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. 
We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.


Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei Index Team announced the changes to the Nikkei 225. That triggers flows of about ¥480bn a side, and some big, big changes.</li>
<li>As interest rates and inflation remain high, investors will (should) continue to prefer lower-risk investments over higher-risk growth companies such as de-SPACed <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aquila-acquisition-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35435:1" rel="noopener">Aquila Acquisition Corporation (7836 HK)</a>.</li>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/liontown-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20488:1" rel="noopener">Liontown Resources (LTR AU)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/albemarle-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7678:1" rel="noopener">Albemarle Corp (ALB US)</a> transaction looks done. However, Gina Rinehart may have other ideas.</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei Index Team announced the changes to the Nikkei 225. That triggers flows of about ¥480bn a side, and some big, big changes.
As interest rates and inflation remain high, investors will (should) continue to prefer lower-risk investments over higher-risk growth companies such as de-SPACed Aquila Acquisition Corporation (7836 HK).
The Liontown Resources (LTR AU) / Albemarle Corp (ALB US) transaction looks done. However, Gina Rinehart may have other ideas.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Nikkei 225 Flow, Aquila Acquisition, Axiata, Intage, Liontown/Albemarle

Travis Lundy

<ul>
<li>Now that the September 2023 Nikkei 225 Rebal is announced, we look at the March 2024 rebal and its possibilities. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/socionext-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36351:1" rel="noopener">Socionext (6526 JP)</a> is the only automatic ADD, but it might not be. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zozo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18379:1" rel="noopener">ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ryohin-keikaku-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2765:1" rel="noopener">Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)</a> would be sector balance ADDs.</li>
<li>
<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> could get capped if it outperforms Nikkei 225 by ~10%+ to 31Jan2024. And <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nitori-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20386:1" rel="noopener">Nitori Holdings (9843 JP)</a> will see an add of ~14 days of ADV.</li>
</ul>


Now that the September 2023 Nikkei 225 Rebal is announced, we look at the March 2024 rebal and its possibilities. 

Socionext (6526 JP) is the only automatic ADD, but it might not be. ZOZO Inc (3092 JP) and Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP) would be sector balance ADDs.

Fast Retailing (9983 JP) could get capped if it outperforms Nikkei 225 by ~10%+ to 31Jan2024. And Nitori Holdings (9843 JP) will see an add of ~14 days of ADV.


March 2024 Nikkei 225 Rebal - Look for Zozo, Ryohin Keikaku, and Maybe a Socionext Split

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

<ul>
<li>The review period for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a> September rebalance ends end July. We take another stab at identifying potential inclusions and exclusions.</li>
<li>There will be a big impact on the potential index changes. <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>'s index weight could be capped and there will be a big funding trade. </li>
<li>There are many things to watch out for that could affect the impact on the inclusions, including stock splits among potential adds and stepwise inclusion of stocks in the index.</li>
</ul>


The review period for the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) September rebalance ends end July. We take another stab at identifying potential inclusions and exclusions.
There will be a big impact on the potential index changes. Fast Retailing (9983 JP)'s index weight could be capped and there will be a big funding trade. 
There are many things to watch out for that could affect the impact on the inclusions, including stock splits among potential adds and stepwise inclusion of stocks in the index.


Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2023): Ranking, Capping, Funding & Other Changes

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Zozo managed a 7% gain in GTVs last year which meant it grew its share of the fashion market. </li>
<li>It now has more than 10 million active users and has laid down plans to reach ¥800 billion in GTVs in the medium term.</li>
<li>Zozo's momentum is clear and its targets look realistic. Shame about the performance of Z Holdings.</li>
</ul>


Zozo managed a 7% gain in GTVs last year which meant it grew its share of the fashion market. 
It now has more than 10 million active users and has laid down plans to reach ¥800 billion in GTVs in the medium term.
Zozo's momentum is clear and its targets look realistic. Shame about the performance of Z Holdings.


Japan

ZOZO Inc operates internet shopping sites for apparel.  The Company also provides communication services relating to apparel such as blogs by fashion moguls and internet chat room for users.

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ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

Last Week in Event SPACE: Nikkei 225 Flow, Aquila Acquisition, Axiata, Intage, Liontown/Albemarle

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

March 2024 Nikkei 225 Rebal - Look for Zozo, Ryohin Keikaku, and Maybe a Socionext Split

The Sep 2023 Nikkei 225 review is announced, so can look at March 2024. I expect Zozo and Ryohin Keikaku IN, Pacific Metals and Hitachi Zosen OUT....

Travis Lundy

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2023): Ranking, Capping, Funding & Other Changes

There could be 3 changes in Sep + Fast Retailing capping + a possible stepwise inclusion of low liquidity stocks. Mercari is a possible add. There...

Brian Freitas

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

Last Week in Event SPACE: Nikkei 225 Flow, Aquila Acquisition, Axiata, Intage, Liontown/Albemarle

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

March 2024 Nikkei 225 Rebal - Look for Zozo, Ryohin Keikaku, and Maybe a Socionext Split

The Sep 2023 Nikkei 225 review is announced, so can look at March 2024. I expect Zozo and Ryohin Keikaku IN, Pacific Metals and Hitachi Zosen OUT....

Travis Lundy

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2023): Ranking, Capping, Funding & Other Changes

There could be 3 changes in Sep + Fast Retailing capping + a possible stepwise inclusion of low liquidity stocks. Mercari is a possible add. There...

Brian Freitas

Zozo Consolidates Market Share

Zozo is on a roll, with strong sales in new categories and segments and clear plans to increase GTVs by ¥200 billion. There are few barriers to...

Michael Causton