'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)

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• EARNINGS MOMENTUM TURNS POSITIVE •</strong></p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/535/original/2021-02-14_09-01-24.png?1613260898" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188535"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></section><p><strong>POSITIVE EARNINGS MOMENTUM</strong> - For the first time in just over one year and driven by a strong recovery in the index-heavy <strong>Auto</strong> Sector, our Market Composite Results &amp; Revision Score - a measure of earnings momentum - has turned positive. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office Leading Indicator of Business Conditions which is indexed to August 2015, has yet to rise above 100 and declined by 120 basis points for December.</p><section class="figure"><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/537/original/2021-02-14_08-23-29.png?1613262285" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188537"></figure></section><p><strong>SECTOR BREAKDOWN</strong> - The leading Sectors, as measured by the change in Results &amp; Revision Score, are<strong> Other Commercial Products</strong>, <strong>Autos</strong>, <strong>Metals</strong>, <strong>Building Materials</strong>, and <strong>Other Consumer Products</strong>. The laggards are <strong>Utilities</strong>, <strong>Internet</strong>, <strong>Food</strong>, <strong>Beverages &amp; Tobacco</strong>, <strong>Retail</strong>, and <strong>Commercial Services</strong>. As in other markets, cyclicals leading the recovery, and, as a result, driving Japan's indices to new multi-decade highs.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/538/original/2021-02-14_08-22-44.png?1613262793" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188538"></figure></section><p><strong>FORWARD VALUATIONS</strong> - While the trailing Market Composite PER remain above 30 times,  a ¥7.6 trillion increase in forecast Net Income from the low point if 2020, has reduced the forward multiple to 28.2 times. By the end of May, most March year-end companies will have made forecasts for the year to March 2022 - a decline to below 25 times is likely, assuming Total Market Value is at current levels.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/539/original/2021-02-14_08-14-17.png?1613262839" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188539"></figure></section><p><strong>ALL-TIME US$ HIGH &lt;10% AWAY</strong> - While much is being written about the new thirty-year high for the TOPIX index, many will have missed the proximity of TOPIX in US dollars terms to a new all-time high, which would occur with a combined 9.5% increase in the equity market and the Yen. A 4.3% rise in TOPIX and a USDJPY rate of 100 is all that is required and would be a welcome feather in the cap of the recently beleaguered PM Suga's cap. </p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/540/original/2021-02-14_10-05-46.png?1613264814" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188540"></figure></section><p><strong>RSI &gt;80</strong> - Tempering the current bullishness are the RSI of over 80 and a Toraku index close to 120. Both suggest near-term caution is warranted.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/541/original/2021-02-14_10-15-17.png?1613265332" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188541"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/542/original/2021-02-14_10-20-42.png?1613265721" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188542"></figure></section><hr></section><p style="text-align: center;"><br><strong>• RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS SUMMARY - 12th FEBRUARY •</strong></p><div><p>Of Friday's 723 results announcements, 64% scored positively for earnings momentum despite trailing revenues falling by 3% on average and a 3.9 point decline in operating margins. 17% of companies were in the red for the quarter.  63% of the 360 annual forecasts/revision announcements scored positively, and the average Forecast/Revision score was +10.3 points.</p></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p></div><div>
<p>The 'best' larger-cap announcements came from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamaha-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7411:1" rel="noopener">Yamaha Motor (7272 JP)</a>,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-post-bank-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:838:1" rel="noopener">Japan Post Bank (7182 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toppan-printing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11875:1" rel="noopener">Toppan Printing (7911 JP)</a>; the 'worst' were from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/otsuka-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12292:1" rel="noopener">Otsuka Holdings (4578 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sumitomo-dainippon-pharma-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1935:1" rel="noopener">Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma (4506 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lion-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16576:1" rel="noopener">Lion (4912 JP)</a>.  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pola-orbis-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2287:1" rel="noopener">Pola Orbis (4927 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asahi-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10482:1" rel="noopener">Asahi Group (2502 JP)</a> take the prizes for optimism.  For more, see the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/605/original/2021-02-15_06-00-48.png?1613336460" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188605"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/606/original/2021-02-15_06-01-37.png?1613336511" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188606"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/608/original/2021-02-15_06-05-12.png?1613336726" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188608"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/610/original/2021-02-15_06-05-57.png?1613336771" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188610"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/611/original/2021-02-15_06-06-35.png?1613336808" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188611"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/612/original/2021-02-15_06-07-12.png?1613336846" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188612"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/613/original/2021-02-15_06-10-36.png?1613337047" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188613"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/615/original/2021-02-15_06-11-21.png?1613337091" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188615"></figure></section><p></p>
</div>

• EARNINGS MOMENTUM TURNS POSITIVE •Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsPOSITIVE EARNINGS MOMENTUM - For the first time in just over one year and driven by a strong recovery in the index-heavy Auto Sector, our Market Composite Results &amp; Revision Score - a measure of earnings momentum - has turned positive. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office Leading Indicator of Business Conditions which is indexed to August 2015, has yet to rise above 100 and declined by 120 basis points for December.SECTOR BREAKDOWN - The leading Sectors, as measured by the change in Results &amp; Revision Score, are Other Commercial Products, Autos, Metals, Building Materials, and Other Consumer Products. The laggards are Utilities, Internet, Food, Beverages &amp; Tobacco, Retail, and Commercial Services. As in other markets, cyclicals leading the recovery, and, as a result, driving Japan's indices to new multi-decade highs.
FORWARD VALUATIONS - While the trailing Market Composite PER remain above 30 times,  a ¥7.6 trillion increase in forecast Net Income from the low point if 2020, has reduced the forward multiple to 28.2 times. By the end of May, most March year-end companies will have made forecasts for the year to March 2022 - a decline to below 25 times is likely, assuming Total Market Value is at current levels.
ALL-TIME US$ HIGH &lt;10% AWAY - While much is being written about the new thirty-year high for the TOPIX index, many will have missed the proximity of TOPIX in US dollars terms to a new all-time high, which would occur with a combined 9.5% increase in the equity market and the Yen. A 4.3% rise in TOPIX and a USDJPY rate of 100 is all that is required and would be a welcome feather in the cap of the recently beleaguered PM Suga's cap. 
RSI &gt;80 - Tempering the current bullishness are the RSI of over 80 and a Toraku index close to 120. Both suggest near-term caution is warranted.
 • RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS SUMMARY - 12th FEBRUARY •Of Friday's 723 results announcements, 64% scored positively for earnings momentum despite trailing revenues falling by 3% on average and a 3.9 point decline in operating margins. 17% of companies were in the red for the quarter.  63% of the 360 annual forecasts/revision announcements scored positively, and the average Forecast/Revision score was +10.3 points.• BEST &amp; WORST •
The 'best' larger-cap announcements came from Yamaha Motor (7272 JP),  Japan Post Bank (7182 JP), and Toppan Printing (7911 JP); the 'worst' were from Otsuka Holdings (4578 JP), Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma (4506 JP), and Lion (4912 JP).  Pola Orbis (4927 JP) and Asahi Group (2502 JP) take the prizes for optimism.  For more, see the DETAIL section below.



🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market & Results & Revisions Update 02/12 • Yamaha Motor, J Post Bank, Otsuka & Lion

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<p>That's it. It has started. </p><p>The story and long-term look-through reason why it was not a bad idea to buy the last offering from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-post-insurance-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:840:1" rel="noopener">Japan Post Insurance (7181 JP)</a> when <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-post-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:359:1" rel="noopener">Japan Post Holdings (6178 JP)</a> in April 2019 has now come into the clear. </p><p>Clearly, the METHOD of the buyback in April 2019 combined with the Really Quite Awful And Very Bad Investor Placement by Daiwa in that offering combined to deliver a shocking placing aftermath, but the willingness of Japan post Insurance to issue subordinated debt at a low interest rate to raise cash to buy back stock and the CEO's comment that they had capacity to do much more was a good reason to expect the news which has just come out. </p><h3>What News?  JPI Is On the Road to Emancipation</h3><p>Various media reports (I got the news first from <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-16/japan-post-insurer-plans-2-9-billion-buyback-to-cut-owner-stake" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg</a> and JPI had an official <a href="https://pdf.irpocket.com/C7181/j9N9/MJ5Y/o2qZ.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comment</a> suggesting that the information did not come from them) suggested that Japan Post Insurance would have a board meeting this month to approve raising subordinated debt (to the tune of ¥100bn) and would buy back as much as ¥300bn of shares from its parent Japan Post Holdings, which currently owns 64.8% of shares out, with the goal of getting the JPH ownership level of Japan Post Insurance down below 50%. </p><p>50% is the magic level. </p><p>That's the cause for excitement. From here, it gets a little complicated but the news leak suggests there is a fair bit of fire behind this smoke.</p>

That's it. It has started. The story and long-term look-through reason why it was not a bad idea to buy the last offering from Japan Post Insurance (7181 JP) when Japan Post Holdings (6178 JP) in April 2019 has now come into the clear. Clearly, the METHOD of the buyback in April 2019 combined with the Really Quite Awful And Very Bad Investor Placement by Daiwa in that offering combined to deliver a shocking placing aftermath, but the willingness of Japan post Insurance to issue subordinated debt at a low interest rate to raise cash to buy back stock and the CEO's comment that they had capacity to do much more was a good reason to expect the news which has just come out. What News?  JPI Is On the Road to EmancipationVarious media reports (I got the news first from Bloomberg and JPI had an official comment suggesting that the information did not come from them) suggested that Japan Post Insurance would have a board meeting this month to approve raising subordinated debt (to the tune of ¥100bn) and would buy back as much as ¥300bn of shares from its parent Japan Post Holdings, which currently owns 64.8% of shares out, with the goal of getting the JPH ownership level of Japan Post Insurance down below 50%. 50% is the magic level. That's the cause for excitement. From here, it gets a little complicated but the news leak suggests there is a fair bit of fire behind this smoke.

Huge Japan Post Insurance Buyback Mooted - Decks Cleared. Time To Buy

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks, Windamee Research

J. Brian Waterhouse

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks

Windamee Research

Japanese Banks

<p>The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented demand from corporate borrowers for loans, but it is suspected that the vast majority of these emergency loans have been made at virtually no profit margin for the banks.  Moreover, most of this money appears to have been redeposited with the banks for safe-keeping until really needed.  Meanwhile, the rise in workers working from home and restrictions on international travel has resulted in substantially lower discretionary spending (such as on holiday travel) and higher levels of saving.</p>
<p>The cash piles are turning into cash mountains at the banks, prompting some banks to withdraw some deposit products and suspend branch counter operations for cash deposits, cash withdrawals and currency exchange.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It’s a whole new world of pain for Japan’s embattled banks.</p>

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented demand from corporate borrowers for loans, but it is suspected that the vast majority of these emergency loans have been made at virtually no profit margin for the banks.  Moreover, most of this money appears to have been redeposited with the banks for safe-keeping until really needed.  Meanwhile, the rise in workers working from home and restrictions on international travel has resulted in substantially lower discretionary spending (such as on holiday travel) and higher levels of saving.
The cash piles are turning into cash mountains at the banks, prompting some banks to withdraw some deposit products and suspend branch counter operations for cash deposits, cash withdrawals and currency exchange.
It’s a whole new world of pain for Japan’s embattled banks.

Equity L/S Analyst | Forensic Accounting | India, Yellowstone Equity

Ankit Agrawal, CFA

Equity L/S Analyst | Forensic Accounting | India

Quantitative Analysis

<p>In this Smartkarma Original, we bring to you a quantitative approach for identifying Asian companies that are likely to raise/cut dividend. Applying this approach to a universe of 920+ companies listed across Asia helped us identify 150+ and 20+ companies, respectively, that have a high likelihood of raising/cutting dividends, over the next five years.</p>
<div class="content-highlight">
<p><strong>What's Original?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>We have two separate models, one for forecasting Dividend Raise and the other for Dividend Cut.</li>
<li>Our back test results are very encouraging with &gt;90% hit rate for our Dividend Raise model and 100% hit rate for our Dividend Cut model.</li>
<li>For our Dividend Raise model, we apply a combination of eight stringent parameters and use last 7Y historical data to find companies that have consistently performed strong, lending our model a high hit rate.</li>
<li>For our Dividend Cut model, we differentiate from other models by focusing on companies that have had high dividend payout ratio (&gt;50%) over last 3Y. This criterion helps us in identifying companies where there is limited scope for dividend growth through increase in dividend payouts. In our observation, such companies are most vulnerable to cut dividend when faced with weakening fundamentals or deteriorating balance sheet.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Insight Flow</h3>
<ul>
<li>Live Dashboard</li>
<li> Methodology
<ul>
<li>Philosophy</li>
<li>Dividend Raise Model</li>
<li>Dividend Cut Model</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Universe</li>
<li>Back Test Results
<ul>
<li>Dividend Raise Model</li>
<li>Dividend Cut Model</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Model Results
<ul>
<li>Companies with High Probability of Dividend Raise</li>
<li>Companies with High Probability of Dividend Cut</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Model Risks &amp; Limitations</li>
<li>Conclusion</li>
</ul>

In this Smartkarma Original, we bring to you a quantitative approach for identifying Asian companies that are likely to raise/cut dividend. Applying this approach to a universe of 920+ companies listed across Asia helped us identify 150+ and 20+ companies, respectively, that have a high likelihood of raising/cutting dividends, over the next five years.

What's Original?

We have two separate models, one for forecasting Dividend Raise and the other for Dividend Cut.
Our back test results are very encouraging with &gt;90% hit rate for our Dividend Raise model and 100% hit rate for our Dividend Cut model.
For our Dividend Raise model, we apply a combination of eight stringent parameters and use last 7Y historical data to find companies that have consistently performed strong, lending our model a high hit rate.
For our Dividend Cut model, we differentiate from other models by focusing on companies that have had high dividend payout ratio (&gt;50%) over last 3Y. This criterion helps us in identifying companies where there is limited scope for dividend growth through increase in dividend payouts. In our observation, such companies are most vulnerable to cut dividend when faced with weakening fundamentals or deteriorating balance sheet.


Insight Flow

Live Dashboard
 Methodology

Philosophy
Dividend Raise Model
Dividend Cut Model


Universe
Back Test Results

Dividend Raise Model
Dividend Cut Model


Model Results

Companies with High Probability of Dividend Raise
Companies with High Probability of Dividend Cut


Model Risks &amp; Limitations
Conclusion


Asia Dividend Forecasting | The Rise and Fall of Dividends Across Asian Companies

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>FY3/2021 has not started well for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyakujushi-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20502:1" rel="noopener">Hyakujushi Bank (8386 JP)</a>, the largest regional bank based in Kagawa Prefecture and the 2<sup>nd</sup>- largest regional bank after <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iyo-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6869:1" rel="noopener">Iyo Bank (8385 JP)</a> in Shikoku, one of the four main islands that make up the Japanese archipelago.  1Q (April-June) FY3/2021 results were a hefty consolidated net loss of ¥3.39 billion (US$32.0 million), largely the result of stock valuation losses of ¥6.62 billion.  Unsurprisingly, share price performance has been disappointing recently, but we feel there is further downside risk with the bank’s FY3/2021 guidance now in considerable doubt.  Foreign investors own in aggregate around 11% of outstanding shares.  Given the bank’s long-standing structural issues and low efficiency, we struggle to understand why.  <em>Caveat emptor!</em>  (May the Buyer Beware!)</p>

FY3/2021 has not started well for Hyakujushi Bank (8386 JP), the largest regional bank based in Kagawa Prefecture and the 2nd- largest regional bank after Iyo Bank (8385 JP) in Shikoku, one of the four main islands that make up the Japanese archipelago.  1Q (April-June) FY3/2021 results were a hefty consolidated net loss of ¥3.39 billion (US$32.0 million), largely the result of stock valuation losses of ¥6.62 billion.  Unsurprisingly, share price performance has been disappointing recently, but we feel there is further downside risk with the bank’s FY3/2021 guidance now in considerable doubt.  Foreign investors own in aggregate around 11% of outstanding shares.  Given the bank’s long-standing structural issues and low efficiency, we struggle to understand why.  Caveat emptor!  (May the Buyer Beware!)

Hyakujushi Bank (8386 JP):  In the Stocks with Investors

Japan

Japan Post Bank Co. Ltd. provides general banking services. The Company offers deposits, savings, loans, currency exchange transactions, investment trusts, national bonds, and other related banking services to individuals and businesses. Japan Post Bank also provides other financial services such as insurance agency and financing service.

Price Gauge
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Japan Post Bank (7182 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market & Results & Revisions Update 02/12 • Yamaha Motor, J Post Bank, Otsuka & Lion

For the first time in just over one year and driven by a strong recovery in the index-heavy Auto Sector, our Market Composite Results & Revision...

Campbell Gunn

Huge Japan Post Insurance Buyback Mooted - Decks Cleared. Time To Buy

The possibility of a big buyback by Japan Post Insurance to get Japan Post Hldgs sub-50% is a Really Good Thing. It means EPS growth, top line...

Travis Lundy

Japanese Banks: Mountains of Money

The cash piles at the banks are turning into cash mountains, prompting some to withdraw some deposit products and suspend counter operations for...

J. Brian Waterhouse

Asia Dividend Forecasting | The Rise and Fall of Dividends Across Asian Companies

Methodology Back Test Results Companied

Ankit Agrawal, CFA

Hyakujushi Bank (8386 JP): In the Stocks with Investors

FY3/2021 has not started well for Hyakujushi Bank (8386 JP), the largest regional bank based in Kagawa Prefecture and the 2nd- largest regional...

J. Brian Waterhouse

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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