'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/338/original/2020-09-11_06-10-01.png?1599772225" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158338"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/339/original/2020-09-11_06-11-10.png?1599772281" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158339"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts: Japan Analytics</div>
<strong>BEST &amp; WORST</strong> - As the pace of announcements for the January/April/July/October year-end cohort increases,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/raksul-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27043:1" rel="noopener">Raksul (4384 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-dome-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6421:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Dome (9681 JP)</a> were the best and worst-scoring of the larger companies that reported yesterday. The former is aiming to bring commercial printing int to the digital age but is yet t achieve sustainable profitability. The latter is another 'activist trap'  struggling with the fallout from COVID-19.<hr>
</div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p></div><hr><div><p><strong>PERCENTAGES</strong> -<strong>53%</strong> of quarterly results, <strong>53%</strong> of annual forecasts/revisions and only <strong>29%</strong> of interim forecasts have negative Scores.<strong> 28%</strong> of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.</p></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>32 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<strong>Results Score:</strong> 34% Positive / 13% Neutral / 53% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Results Score Change: </strong>-1.4 points</li>
<li>
<strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -14.9% Quarter YoY / -5.1% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>
<strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -2.6ppt</li>
<li>
<strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses</strong>: 28%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>17 Annual • 7 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 35% Positive / 12% Neutral / 53% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 71% Positive / 0% Neutral / 29% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -1.3 points</li>
</ul></div>


• BEST &amp; WORST •
Source for all charts: Japan Analytics
BEST &amp; WORST - As the pace of announcements for the January/April/July/October year-end cohort increases,  Raksul (4384 JP) and Tokyo Dome (9681 JP) were the best and worst-scoring of the larger companies that reported yesterday. The former is aiming to bring commercial printing int to the digital age but is yet t achieve sustainable profitability. The latter is another 'activist trap'  struggling with the fallout from COVID-19.
DAILY STATSPERCENTAGES -53% of quarterly results, 53% of annual forecasts/revisions and only 29% of interim forecasts have negative Scores. 28% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.32 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 34% Positive / 13% Neutral / 53% Negative

Average Results Score Change: -1.4 points

Average % Change in Revenue: -14.9% Quarter YoY / -5.1% Rolling TTM YoY 

Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -2.6ppt

Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 28%
17 Annual • 7 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 35% Positive / 12% Neutral / 53% Negative

Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 71% Positive / 0% Neutral / 29% Negative

Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -1.3 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/​​​​10 - Sekisui House, Kobe Bussan, Japan Display, Kamakura Sh.

<div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/143/669/original/2020-07-01_05-28-36.png?1593548938" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="143669"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/143/673/original/2020-07-01_06-01-59.png?1593550949" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="143673"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>WASTE NOT.</strong>.- Waste treatment company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daiseki-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2330:1" rel="noopener">Daiseki (9793 JP)</a>'s first-quarter results saw Net Income decline by 17% on a 1% decline in sales. However, the 19% and 24% cuts to both Operating and Net Income for the first half and full-year highlight the current decline in industrial activity in Japan is likely to be prolonged and, possibly, similar to that seen in 2009. The outlook for Daiseki's listed subsidiary <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daiseki-eco-solution-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13776:1" rel="noopener">Daiseki Eco. Solution (1712 JP)</a> is equally subdued.  Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-display-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8280:1" rel="noopener">Japan Display (6740 JP)</a> annual losses 'improved' to only ¥101 billion at the net level on ¥504 billion in sales, while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pasona-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15778:1" rel="noopener">Pasona (2168 JP)</a> revised down the soon-to-be-declared FY2020 Net Income by 66% relative to TTM on further Anime theme park write-offs. LCD/SPE specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/marumae-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16671:1" rel="noopener">Marumae (6264 JP)</a> produced the best results of the day driven by a 38% year-on-year increase in quarterly sales.</p>
<hr>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p>
<hr>
</div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>21 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div><div><ul>
<li>
<strong>Results Score:</strong> 6 Positive / 3 Neutral / 12 Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Results Score Change:</strong>-3.2</li>
<li>
<strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> +0.2% Quarter YoY / -5.9% Rolling TTM YoY</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change</strong>: 0.0ppt</li>
</ul></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><br><strong>13 Annual • 8 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div><div><ul>
<li>
<strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 4 Positive / 2 Neutral / 7 Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 2 Positive / 1 Neutral / 5 Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -5.6</li>
</ul></div>


Source • Japan Analytics
WASTE NOT..- Waste treatment company Daiseki (9793 JP)'s first-quarter results saw Net Income decline by 17% on a 1% decline in sales. However, the 19% and 24% cuts to both Operating and Net Income for the first half and full-year highlight the current decline in industrial activity in Japan is likely to be prolonged and, possibly, similar to that seen in 2009. The outlook for Daiseki's listed subsidiary Daiseki Eco. Solution (1712 JP) is equally subdued.  Meanwhile, Japan Display (6740 JP) annual losses 'improved' to only ¥101 billion at the net level on ¥504 billion in sales, while Pasona (2168 JP) revised down the soon-to-be-declared FY2020 Net Income by 66% relative to TTM on further Anime theme park write-offs. LCD/SPE specialist Marumae (6264 JP) produced the best results of the day driven by a 38% year-on-year increase in quarterly sales.

DAILY STATS

21 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 6 Positive / 3 Neutral / 12 Negative

Average Results Score Change:-3.2

Average % Change in Revenue: +0.2% Quarter YoY / -5.9% Rolling TTM YoY

Average Operating Profit Margin Change: 0.0ppt
 13 Annual • 8 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 4 Positive / 2 Neutral / 7 Negative

Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 2 Positive / 1 Neutral / 5 Negative

Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -5.6


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 30th June - Waste Not..

<div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/139/997/original/2020-06-15_11-08-56.png?1592186965" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="139997"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>STRESS TESTS</strong> - This Insight is the second in our<strong> Japan Stress Test</strong> series in which we endeavour to assess where business risk is concentrated among larger Japanese companies. <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-stress-tests-part-1-altman-z-scores" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40180" rel="noopener">Part 1</a></strong> looked at the time-worn <strong>Altman-Z Score</strong> for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies. In Part 2 will we turn our attention to the cash flow statement starting with the 'lifeblood' of all businesses - <strong>Operating Cash Flow</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING</strong> - Despite the sacrosanctity in some quarters of discounted cash flow analysis, for valuation purposes, our preference is to use accrual accounting. As Professor Stephen Penman states, "<em>Accrual accounting brings the future forward in time and anticipates future cash flows.</em>"  Nevertheless, cash flow accounting, and the level of accounting accruals, can provide early insights into periodic stress. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissan-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:72:1" rel="noopener">Nissan Motor (7201 JP)'s</a> Accruals (Operating Income less Operating Cash Flow) as a percentage of period-end market capitalisation correlate with the company's Relative Price Score over the last thirty years. Further Insights in this series will continue to 'mine'  the Cash Flow statement by exploring <strong>Financing Cash Flows</strong> and the <strong>Working Capital Cycle</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>REFORMULATED CASH FLOW</strong><strong>STATEMENTS</strong> - Our <strong>Operating Cash Flow</strong> calculation is derived from each company's<strong> Balance Sheet</strong> and<strong> Income Statement</strong> for periods of up to twenty-eight years. Cash Flow items relating to operating activities are divided into <strong>Operating Cash Flow</strong> and <strong>Investing Cash Flow</strong>, which includes Fixed Asset and Inventory Cash Flows.  Cash flows relating to financing activities are divided into <strong>Financing Cash Flow</strong> and<strong> Shareholder Cash Flow</strong>. The reformulated Balance Sheets, Income and Cash Flow Statements follow a clean-surplus relationship. All three Statements are fully articulated to include items of <strong>Other Comprehensive Income</strong> which are added to or subtracted from Shareholders' Equity. </p>
</div><p><strong>UNIVERSE</strong> - The universe for this Insight comprises the <strong>614</strong> Japanese companies with a market capitalisation excluding Treasury Stock over <strong>¥100 million</strong> and for which we have at least two years of cash flow data.  Five non-financial companies, which have significant financial subsidiaries<strong> (</strong><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten (4755 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/z-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19603:1" rel="noopener">Z Holdings (4689 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-post-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:359:1" rel="noopener">Japan Post (6178 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sony-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:563:1" rel="noopener">Sony (6758 JP)</a>)</strong>, have been excluded from this analysis. </p>


Source: Japan Analytics
STRESS TESTS - This Insight is the second in our Japan Stress Test series in which we endeavour to assess where business risk is concentrated among larger Japanese companies. Part 1 looked at the time-worn Altman-Z Score for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies. In Part 2 will we turn our attention to the cash flow statement starting with the 'lifeblood' of all businesses - Operating Cash Flow.
ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING - Despite the sacrosanctity in some quarters of discounted cash flow analysis, for valuation purposes, our preference is to use accrual accounting. As Professor Stephen Penman states, "Accrual accounting brings the future forward in time and anticipates future cash flows."  Nevertheless, cash flow accounting, and the level of accounting accruals, can provide early insights into periodic stress. Nissan Motor (7201 JP)'s Accruals (Operating Income less Operating Cash Flow) as a percentage of period-end market capitalisation correlate with the company's Relative Price Score over the last thirty years. Further Insights in this series will continue to 'mine'  the Cash Flow statement by exploring Financing Cash Flows and the Working Capital Cycle.
REFORMULATED CASH FLOWSTATEMENTS - Our Operating Cash Flow calculation is derived from each company's Balance Sheet and Income Statement for periods of up to twenty-eight years. Cash Flow items relating to operating activities are divided into Operating Cash Flow and Investing Cash Flow, which includes Fixed Asset and Inventory Cash Flows.  Cash flows relating to financing activities are divided into Financing Cash Flow and Shareholder Cash Flow. The reformulated Balance Sheets, Income and Cash Flow Statements follow a clean-surplus relationship. All three Statements are fully articulated to include items of Other Comprehensive Income which are added to or subtracted from Shareholders' Equity. 
UNIVERSE - The universe for this Insight comprises the 614 Japanese companies with a market capitalisation excluding Treasury Stock over ¥100 million and for which we have at least two years of cash flow data.  Five non-financial companies, which have significant financial subsidiaries (Rakuten (4755 JP), Z Holdings (4689 JP), Japan Post (6178 JP), Softbank Group (9984 JP) and Sony (6758 JP)), have been excluded from this analysis. 

🇯🇵 JAPAN - Stress Tests Part 2 - Operating Cash Flow & Accruals

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/030/original/2020-04-15_06-24-46.png?1586899501" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128030"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Arbor Data Science</div><p><strong>PEAK ANXIETY</strong> - As Japan's COVID-19 case-count (8,006) and fatalities (151) continue to rise, public anxiety, as exemplified by symptom search on Google, is rising as is online criticism of the government's measured approach.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/036/original/File%202020-04-15%203%2004%2046.jpeg?1586899729" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128036"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/037/original/File%202020-04-15%203%2006%2028.jpeg?1586899741" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128037"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/039/original/File%202020-04-15%203%2005%2041.jpeg?1586899760" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128039"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Apple</div><p><strong>MOBILITY TRENDS</strong> - Apple is now using direction requests in Apple Maps to <a href="https://www.apple.com/covid19/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chart</a> 'mobility trends' around the world. Transit mobility is Tokyo is 51% below the level of three months ago and is 42% lower across Japan. The data for other countries illustrates the more limited impact of Japan's containment measures and in our view is a reasonable measure of the relative effect on GDP and supports our bullish view on 'domestic' Japan.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/042/original/2020-04-15_06-39-49.png?1586900420" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128042"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Our World in Data</div><p><strong>OUR WORLD IN DATA</strong> - We have long been a fan of our alma mater Oxford University's Global Change Data Lab. Their COVID-19 slide deck was released yesterday and is well worth your time. We have selected a few slides below that are relevant to Japan.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/043/original/File%202020-04-14%2018%2032%2003.jpeg?1586900548" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128043"></figure><ul><li>Japan's fatalities are doubling every ten days - one of the lowest rates globally.</li></ul><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/044/original/File%202020-04-14%2018%2039%2010.jpeg?1586900641" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128044"></figure><ul><li>Japan's Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 1.8% is within the lower bound and does not suggest an under-reporting of cases.</li></ul><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/045/original/File%202020-04-14%2018%2040%2043.jpeg?1586900773" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128045"></figure><ul><li>Japan's CFR has been steadily declining and is now below that od Taiwan and South Korea.</li></ul><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/046/original/File%202020-04-14%2018%2033%2050.jpeg?1586900867" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128046"></figure><ul><li>Lastly, Japan's death per million population is the lowest in the developed world.</li></ul><p></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/052/original/2020-04-15_06-53-50.png?1586901264" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128052"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>THE OTHER ZOOM</strong> - On a lighter note, ZOOM (6694 JP) is a Japanese niche audio recording equipment specialist. The recent 75% 'pop' in the share price may be a case of mistaken identity ;).</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/055/original/2020-04-15_07-06-30.png?1586902007" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128055"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>IN OTHER NEWS</strong> - We have always found the case for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-display-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8280:1" rel="noopener">Japan Display (6740 JP)</a> as limited at best and were surprised to see Ichigo Asset Management, and less so INCJ, inject new capital into the business which had a negative net worth of ¥108b in December. After an investigation which delayed the reporting of their third-quarter results, it now appears that the company has been engaging in improper accounting practices. An overvaluation of inventories has inflated consolidated operating income by ¥7.7 billion. The amounts are a small drop in the ocean of red ink displayed above. OF greater interest is who, if anyone, will 'take responsibility'. We do not consider the shares 'investment-grade'.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/128/022/original/2020-04-15_04-21-02.png?1586892129" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="128022"></figure><div style="text-align: center;" class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>MID AND SMALL</strong> - Lastly in this section, we would note that TOPIX Small is lagging TOPIX in this 'FOMO rally'. Smaller stocks are more domestically-orientated and for those without liquidity or sizing constraints trade at significantly more attractive valuations.</p><p>In the <strong>DETAIL </strong>below, we shall review the large-cap results, revisions and initial forecast announcements made yesterday. The positive/neutral/negative balance for all 96 results was 39:15:42; for the 39 revisions/forecasts, the split was 18:4:17. We are now 'winding down' for the results for February/May/August/November companies. There were no large-cap revisions yesterday and only six large-cap results. Of the 59 companies that reported full-year results yesterday, only 30 made initial forecasts for the current year and none of the five large-caps did so. As with the delay in annual reports discussed in our previous Insight, investors will have to learn to 'make do' with much less information this year.</p><p>By popular request, we shall keep providing this series of Insights to reflect the evolving response of Japan's corporates to the pandemic.  </p>

Source • Arbor Data SciencePEAK ANXIETY - As Japan's COVID-19 case-count (8,006) and fatalities (151) continue to rise, public anxiety, as exemplified by symptom search on Google, is rising as is online criticism of the government's measured approach.Source • AppleMOBILITY TRENDS - Apple is now using direction requests in Apple Maps to chart 'mobility trends' around the world. Transit mobility is Tokyo is 51% below the level of three months ago and is 42% lower across Japan. The data for other countries illustrates the more limited impact of Japan's containment measures and in our view is a reasonable measure of the relative effect on GDP and supports our bullish view on 'domestic' Japan.Source • Our World in DataOUR WORLD IN DATA - We have long been a fan of our alma mater Oxford University's Global Change Data Lab. Their COVID-19 slide deck was released yesterday and is well worth your time. We have selected a few slides below that are relevant to Japan.Japan's fatalities are doubling every ten days - one of the lowest rates globally.Japan's Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 1.8% is within the lower bound and does not suggest an under-reporting of cases.Japan's CFR has been steadily declining and is now below that od Taiwan and South Korea.Lastly, Japan's death per million population is the lowest in the developed world.Source • Japan AnalyticsTHE OTHER ZOOM - On a lighter note, ZOOM (6694 JP) is a Japanese niche audio recording equipment specialist. The recent 75% 'pop' in the share price may be a case of mistaken identity ;).Source • Japan AnalyticsIN OTHER NEWS - We have always found the case for Japan Display (6740 JP) as limited at best and were surprised to see Ichigo Asset Management, and less so INCJ, inject new capital into the business which had a negative net worth of ¥108b in December. After an investigation which delayed the reporting of their third-quarter results, it now appears that the company has been engaging in improper accounting practices. An overvaluation of inventories has inflated consolidated operating income by ¥7.7 billion. The amounts are a small drop in the ocean of red ink displayed above. OF greater interest is who, if anyone, will 'take responsibility'. We do not consider the shares 'investment-grade'.Source • Japan AnalyticsMID AND SMALL - Lastly in this section, we would note that TOPIX Small is lagging TOPIX in this 'FOMO rally'. Smaller stocks are more domestically-orientated and for those without liquidity or sizing constraints trade at significantly more attractive valuations.In the DETAIL below, we shall review the large-cap results, revisions and initial forecast announcements made yesterday. The positive/neutral/negative balance for all 96 results was 39:15:42; for the 39 revisions/forecasts, the split was 18:4:17. We are now 'winding down' for the results for February/May/August/November companies. There were no large-cap revisions yesterday and only six large-cap results. Of the 59 companies that reported full-year results yesterday, only 30 made initial forecasts for the current year and none of the five large-caps did so. As with the delay in annual reports discussed in our previous Insight, investors will have to learn to 'make do' with much less information this year.By popular request, we shall keep providing this series of Insights to reflect the evolving response of Japan's corporates to the pandemic.  

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Revisions & Results 14th April - Peak Anxiety

ja research

ja research is an independent research platform focused exclusively on Japanese equities. Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, we provide insights on small and medium-sized companies that have been ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on larger companies. We also offer analyst and corporate access, the latter with translation if required. 

Quantitative Analysis

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/122/342/original/2020-03-11_11-02-32.png?1583892183" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="122342"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/122/590/original/2020-03-12_07-42-03.png?1583966536" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="122590"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>CUMULATIVE CASH FLOWS</strong> - In this third and final of our series on Japanese companies that might be compromised as the <em>Covid-19 recession</em> unfolds,  we shall look at <strong>Cumulative Cash Flows</strong>. Our cash flow model is derived from the disclosed Balance Sheets and Statements of Comprehensive Income and balances to zero for every company for every comparable period. Variations in disclosure between the audited annual <em>yuho</em> and unaudited quarterly <em>kessan tanshin</em> reports, notably when the company is reporting under the weaker IFRS standard can result in unavoidable quarter-to-quarter variations. Consequently, our analysis will focus on year-on-year changes as of the most recent quarterly disclosure irrespective of fiscal year-end.  Our review will cover six principal cash flow metrics:-</p><ul>
<li>
<strong>Operating Cash Flow</strong> - Operating Cash Flow comprises all cash flow items relating to transactions with customers and suppliers except inventory cash flows.</li>
<li>
<strong>Investing Cash Flow</strong> - Investing Cash Flow comprises cash flow to or from Fixed Assets and Inventories. Unlike GAAP Cash Flows Statements, It does not include investments in financial assets.</li>
<li>
<strong>Inventory Cash Flow</strong> - A sub-set of Investing Cash Flow, inventory Cash Flow is the change in Inventory on the Balance Sheet. </li>
<li>
<strong>Free Cash Flow</strong> - Free Cash Flow the sum of Operating Cash Flow, Fixed Asset Cash Flow and Inventory Cash Flow.</li>
<li>
<strong>Financing Cash Flow</strong> - Financing Cash Flow comprises Debt &amp; Lease Liabilities, Investments and the taxation that is allocated to Financing Cash Flow. Debt &amp; Lease Liabilities includes changes in Short and Long-Term Debt and Lease Liabilities and Interest and Bond Issuance Expenses.' Investments' includes Interest &amp; Dividend Income, Purchases and Sales of Securities, Loans, Gains and Losses on Marketable Securities and Equity Earnings.</li>
<li><p><strong>Change in Cash - </strong>Change in Cash is the sum of Free Cash Flow, Financing Cash Flow and Shareholder Cash Flow after including Minorities &amp; Adjustments. </p></li>
</ul><p><strong>EXCLUDED</strong> - Four companies have been excluded from our review as they have substantial financial subsidiaries - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/z-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19603:1" rel="noopener">Z Holdings (4689 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten (4755 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sony-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:563:1" rel="noopener">Sony (6758 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-post-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:359:1" rel="noopener">Japan Post (6178 JP)</a> which distort their balance sheets. We have also excluded companies with a current market cap below ¥50b, although some exceptions have been made for abnormally large movements, such as those in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-display-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8280:1" rel="noopener">Japan Display (6740 JP).</a></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba (6502 JP)</a></strong>-  As an example of our analysis, Toshiba has seen the largest reduction in Cash as a percentage of market value over the last twelve months of any large-cap Japanese company. Toshiba's cash balance has declined by ¥1.4 trillion since peaking in 2019-Q2 - 114% of the current market cap. 70% of the cash generated between 2018-Q4 and 2019-Q2 has been allocated to share repurchases, dividends and cash reduction. The company's net cash remains at a healthy 51% of market value and 43% of Shareholders' Equity; however, Cumulative Operating Cash Flow will fall below zero in the current quarter. There are few additional reductions in Fixed Assets and Inventories that can be sustained without irreparable damage. <strong>The logic of buying back shares in an entity that has negative residual returns is not clear to us. Despite the potential for a TOPIX re-inclusion 'bounce', fundamentally the stock should be avoided.</strong></p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL </strong>Section below, we shall look at the top (or bottom) thirty large-cap companies on each of the metric above scaled by market capitalisation. </p></div>

Source • Japan AnalyticsCUMULATIVE CASH FLOWS - In this third and final of our series on Japanese companies that might be compromised as the Covid-19 recession unfolds,  we shall look at Cumulative Cash Flows. Our cash flow model is derived from the disclosed Balance Sheets and Statements of Comprehensive Income and balances to zero for every company for every comparable period. Variations in disclosure between the audited annual yuho and unaudited quarterly kessan tanshin reports, notably when the company is reporting under the weaker IFRS standard can result in unavoidable quarter-to-quarter variations. Consequently, our analysis will focus on year-on-year changes as of the most recent quarterly disclosure irrespective of fiscal year-end.  Our review will cover six principal cash flow metrics:-

Operating Cash Flow - Operating Cash Flow comprises all cash flow items relating to transactions with customers and suppliers except inventory cash flows.

Investing Cash Flow - Investing Cash Flow comprises cash flow to or from Fixed Assets and Inventories. Unlike GAAP Cash Flows Statements, It does not include investments in financial assets.

Inventory Cash Flow - A sub-set of Investing Cash Flow, inventory Cash Flow is the change in Inventory on the Balance Sheet. 

Free Cash Flow - Free Cash Flow the sum of Operating Cash Flow, Fixed Asset Cash Flow and Inventory Cash Flow.

Financing Cash Flow - Financing Cash Flow comprises Debt &amp; Lease Liabilities, Investments and the taxation that is allocated to Financing Cash Flow. Debt &amp; Lease Liabilities includes changes in Short and Long-Term Debt and Lease Liabilities and Interest and Bond Issuance Expenses.' Investments' includes Interest &amp; Dividend Income, Purchases and Sales of Securities, Loans, Gains and Losses on Marketable Securities and Equity Earnings.
Change in Cash - Change in Cash is the sum of Free Cash Flow, Financing Cash Flow and Shareholder Cash Flow after including Minorities &amp; Adjustments. 
EXCLUDED - Four companies have been excluded from our review as they have substantial financial subsidiaries - Z Holdings (4689 JP), Rakuten (4755 JP), Sony (6758 JP), Japan Post (6178 JP) which distort their balance sheets. We have also excluded companies with a current market cap below ¥50b, although some exceptions have been made for abnormally large movements, such as those in Japan Display (6740 JP).Toshiba (6502 JP)-  As an example of our analysis, Toshiba has seen the largest reduction in Cash as a percentage of market value over the last twelve months of any large-cap Japanese company. Toshiba's cash balance has declined by ¥1.4 trillion since peaking in 2019-Q2 - 114% of the current market cap. 70% of the cash generated between 2018-Q4 and 2019-Q2 has been allocated to share repurchases, dividends and cash reduction. The company's net cash remains at a healthy 51% of market value and 43% of Shareholders' Equity; however, Cumulative Operating Cash Flow will fall below zero in the current quarter. There are few additional reductions in Fixed Assets and Inventories that can be sustained without irreparable damage. The logic of buying back shares in an entity that has negative residual returns is not clear to us. Despite the potential for a TOPIX re-inclusion 'bounce', fundamentally the stock should be avoided.In the DETAIL Section below, we shall look at the top (or bottom) thirty large-cap companies on each of the metric above scaled by market capitalisation. 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Who’s Swimming Naked? > Part 3: Cumulative Cash Flow

Japan

Japan Display Inc. manufactures small and medium sized displays.  The Company was formed through the integration of Sony Mobile Display, Toshiba Mobile Display and Hitachi Displays. Japan Display operates its business worldwide.

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