Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

iShares MSCI ACWI ETF / Technical Analysis

<ul>
<li>Global equities are under some pressure after Fitch downgraded the United States' credit rating to AA+ from AAA.</li>
<li>We expect that this is a normal 3%-6% pullback to the 50-day MA or major $93 support level on the MSCI ACWI <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ishares-msci-acwi-etf" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24402:1" rel="noopener">iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI US)</a> .</li>
<li>$TNX is below 4.1%-4.3% and DXY remains in an 8-month downtrend; as long as this remains true, we'd buy on a pullback to the 50-day MA and/or $93 on ACWI-US</li>
</ul>


Global equities are under some pressure after Fitch downgraded the United States' credit rating to AA+ from AAA.
We expect that this is a normal 3%-6% pullback to the 50-day MA or major $93 support level on the MSCI ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI US) .
$TNX is below 4.1%-4.3% and DXY remains in an 8-month downtrend; as long as this remains true, we'd buy on a pullback to the 50-day MA and/or $93 on ACWI-US


Normal Pullback, or Something More?; Watching Resistance on DXY and 10-Yr Treasury Yield; Value Buys

'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><strong>FROM OPERATING TO FINANCING CASH FLOWS</strong> -  Having examined Operating Cash Flow in our previous <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-stress-tests-part-2-operating-cash-flow-accruals" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40321" rel="noopener">Insight</a>, we shall look into the 'stressors' between Operating Cash Flow and Financing Cash Flow. In our reformulated Cash Flow Statements, cash flows relating to operating activities are divided into Operating Cash Flows and Investing Cash Flows, which comprise Fixed Asset and Inventory Cash Flows.  Free Cash Flow is the sum of Operating Cash Flow, Fixed Asset Cash Flow and Inventory Cash Flow. Inventories are not included in Operating Cash Flow as they are considered discretionary, are often related to Fixed asset Cash Flows, and can be highly seasonal.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/141/225/original/2020-06-21_08-34-07.png?1592698079" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="141225"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>JAPAN WAS FCF POSITIVE IN Q4..</strong> - Despite the decline in Operating Cash Flow in the last quarter (the final quarter of the Fiscal Year for most Japanese companies), Investing Cash Flow was more positive than in any quarter since FY2016-Q4, which also coincided with the last business cycle low. As a result, the aggregate Free Cash Flow for the 3,639 listed non-financial companies (excluding<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>) was an impressive ¥8.4 trillion or an annualised yield of 6.4%.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/141/223/original/2020-06-21_08-51-12.png?1592697088" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="141223"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>..AS CAPEX WAS PUT ON HOLD</strong> - Seasonally Japanese companies capital expenditures are higher in the second half of the fiscal year- in FY2019, ¥21trillion was added to Operating Assets. In contrast, FY2020 saw a 79% decline in capex to ¥4.4 trillion, all of which was spent in the third quarter. This decline is the most substantial second-half quarter-on-quarter contraction in fixed asset outflows since 2009.   </p><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> below, we shall highlight those 'outlier' large-cap companies which are either end of the capex, inventory and Free Cash Flow tables, and focus on those with the greatest intimations of business 'stress'. We have excluded the Real Estate Sector from this analysis due to the inherent volatility of fixed assets and inventory cash flows fo these companies.</p>

FROM OPERATING TO FINANCING CASH FLOWS -  Having examined Operating Cash Flow in our previous Insight, we shall look into the 'stressors' between Operating Cash Flow and Financing Cash Flow. In our reformulated Cash Flow Statements, cash flows relating to operating activities are divided into Operating Cash Flows and Investing Cash Flows, which comprise Fixed Asset and Inventory Cash Flows.  Free Cash Flow is the sum of Operating Cash Flow, Fixed Asset Cash Flow and Inventory Cash Flow. Inventories are not included in Operating Cash Flow as they are considered discretionary, are often related to Fixed asset Cash Flows, and can be highly seasonal.Source: Japan AnalyticsJAPAN WAS FCF POSITIVE IN Q4.. - Despite the decline in Operating Cash Flow in the last quarter (the final quarter of the Fiscal Year for most Japanese companies), Investing Cash Flow was more positive than in any quarter since FY2016-Q4, which also coincided with the last business cycle low. As a result, the aggregate Free Cash Flow for the 3,639 listed non-financial companies (excluding Rakuten (4755 JP), Z Holdings (4689 JP), Japan Post (6178 JP), Softbank Group (9984 JP) and Sony (6758 JP)) was an impressive ¥8.4 trillion or an annualised yield of 6.4%.Source: Japan Analytics..AS CAPEX WAS PUT ON HOLD - Seasonally Japanese companies capital expenditures are higher in the second half of the fiscal year- in FY2019, ¥21trillion was added to Operating Assets. In contrast, FY2020 saw a 79% decline in capex to ¥4.4 trillion, all of which was spent in the third quarter. This decline is the most substantial second-half quarter-on-quarter contraction in fixed asset outflows since 2009.   In the DETAIL below, we shall highlight those 'outlier' large-cap companies which are either end of the capex, inventory and Free Cash Flow tables, and focus on those with the greatest intimations of business 'stress'. We have excluded the Real Estate Sector from this analysis due to the inherent volatility of fixed assets and inventory cash flows fo these companies.

🇯🇵 JAPAN - Stress Tests Part 3 - Inventory, Fixed Asset & Free Cash Flows

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<strong>We believe SK Materials is the biggest winner from SK Group's efforts to vertically integrate the sourcing of semiconductor-related gases and materials.</strong> After the political feud between Japan and South Korea in the summer of 2019, SK Group has determined that it reduce risks associated with relying too much on the Japanese suppliers on various semiconductor materials. As such, over the next several years, SK Materials will play a key role in the entire SK Group's increasing vertical integration of numerous semiconductor materials.</li>
<li><p><strong>Valuation</strong> - The valuation levels of SK Materials have been wide-ranging in the past four years. The P/E range has been from 10.2x to 18.6x in the past four years. The P/B multiples have ranged 2.2x to 4.7x in the past four years. Currently, it is trading at 3.6x P/B, using its book value of 489 billion won at the end of 3Q19. The consensus currently estimates the company's equity to be 634 billion won at the end of 2020, which would be a 30% increase in equity from the end of 3Q19. <strong>If we apply the same P/B multiple of 3.6x and apply to next year's book value, the would suggest an implied market cap of 2.3 trillion won or 216,402 won per share (30% higher than current levels).</strong></p></li>
<li>
<strong>Tuck-In Acquisitions of Attractive Industrial Gases and Materials Businesses</strong> - Since 2016, SK Materials has made several acquisitions &amp; JVs including the acquisition of SKC Airgas (2016), SK Showa Denko (2017), Hanyu Chemical (2019), and Kumho Petrochem's photoresist business (2020). These tuck-in acquisitions have added to the company's revenues and the company has been able to maintain high operating margins. From 2015 to 2019, SK Materials generated an average operating margin of 30%, which is one of the highest among Korean companies with more than $1 billion in market cap.</li>
</ul>



We believe SK Materials is the biggest winner from SK Group's efforts to vertically integrate the sourcing of semiconductor-related gases and materials. After the political feud between Japan and South Korea in the summer of 2019, SK Group has determined that it reduce risks associated with relying too much on the Japanese suppliers on various semiconductor materials. As such, over the next several years, SK Materials will play a key role in the entire SK Group's increasing vertical integration of numerous semiconductor materials.
Valuation - The valuation levels of SK Materials have been wide-ranging in the past four years. The P/E range has been from 10.2x to 18.6x in the past four years. The P/B multiples have ranged 2.2x to 4.7x in the past four years. Currently, it is trading at 3.6x P/B, using its book value of 489 billion won at the end of 3Q19. The consensus currently estimates the company's equity to be 634 billion won at the end of 2020, which would be a 30% increase in equity from the end of 3Q19. If we apply the same P/B multiple of 3.6x and apply to next year's book value, the would suggest an implied market cap of 2.3 trillion won or 216,402 won per share (30% higher than current levels).

Tuck-In Acquisitions of Attractive Industrial Gases and Materials Businesses - Since 2016, SK Materials has made several acquisitions &amp; JVs including the acquisition of SKC Airgas (2016), SK Showa Denko (2017), Hanyu Chemical (2019), and Kumho Petrochem's photoresist business (2020). These tuck-in acquisitions have added to the company's revenues and the company has been able to maintain high operating margins. From 2015 to 2019, SK Materials generated an average operating margin of 30%, which is one of the highest among Korean companies with more than $1 billion in market cap.


SK Materials - The Biggest Winner from SK Group's Vertical Integration of Semiconductor Materials

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. 

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/117/429/original/2020-02-12_12-29-56.png?1581478227" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="117429"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiyo-nippon-sanso-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15756:1" rel="noopener">TAIYO NIPPON SANSO (4091 JP)</a> -</strong> TNS, itself a three-way merger between Nippon Sanso, Taiyo Sanso and Toyo Sanso, has been one of Japan's more globally acquisitive companies in recent years. The company has bought businesses from Linde (North America), Praxair (Europe) and Air Liquide (USA), Air Products (Thailand) while buying businesses outright or majority stakes in India, Australia, Singapore, Thailand. From  2014, TNS became a consolidated subsidiary of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-chemical-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12781:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Chemical (4188 JP),</a> a stake that represents 44% of Mitsubishi Chemical's current market value. </p>
<p><strong>HIGH-PRESSURE PERFORMER -</strong> TNS shares have been one of the best-performing stocks in the Chemicals Sector in Japan since 2012, rising by 554% and reaching a daily closing high of ¥2,665 on 15th November 2019. Although no longer Overbought and having moved in a  narrow range since July 2019, TNS shares are still trading at the elevated levels commensurate with a high-growth company.</p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/117/424/original/2020-02-12_12-16-41.png?1581477424" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="117424"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>TRULY GLOBAL</strong> - The domestic gas business is now only 42% of revenues and 29% of Operating Income, with the business spread geographically between the US (25%/25%), Europe (20%.28%), and Asia-Pacific (13%/11.9). Gas margins are higher overseas (10%/15%/10%) than in Japan 7.5%, which has been one of the drivers of the expansion abroad. </p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/117/430/original/File%202020-02-12%2011%2051%2021.jpeg?1581478650" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="117430"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source • Company</div>
<p><strong>MOSTLY GAS</strong> - Although TNS has four main business lines, the non-Industrial Gas businesses are related to the application of gas technologies and products in fields related to electronics, medical care and energy. The exception is the THERMOS stainless steel vacuum flasks and thermal cookers business which commands margins of over 30% but is only 3% of sales.</p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/117/431/original/File%202020-02-12%2012%2042%2011.jpeg?1581479106" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="117431"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source • Company</div>
<p><strong>HOLDCO</strong> - In October this year, the company will transition to a holding company and change its name to Nippon Sanso Holdings as outlined above. The aim is to devolve more decision-making authority to the regions/business groups.</p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/117/458/original/2020-02-12_11-59-45.png?1581481488" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="117458"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>DOWNWARD REVISION</strong> - On 5th February, TNS announced a downward revision of Revenue, Operating Income and Net Income of 4%, 7% and 6%, respectively, due to weak performance in the domestic Gas and Thermos divisions and one-off costs relating to Nippon Ekitan. These revisions are the first downward revisions by the company in six years and will likely be followed by a cautious outlook for FY2021 at the full-year results announcement in May.</p>
<p><strong>AVOID/SELL</strong> - Although now more diversified, TNS remains primarily exposed to developed manufacturing economies and has yet to prove it can earn a positive residual return on its newly acquired assets. The company has attracted a premium valuation but has, so far, yet to justify investors' confidence. Shielded by the majority ownership of Mitsubishi Chemicals, there is little pressure than can be exerted on management to focus on returns rather than scale for scale's sake. <strong>We consider a TTM EV/OP ratio of 21.4 times excessive for a -1.5% return and recommend avoiding or selling TNS ahead of the upcoming cyclical downturn.</strong></p>


Source • Japan Analytics
TAIYO NIPPON SANSO (4091 JP) - TNS, itself a three-way merger between Nippon Sanso, Taiyo Sanso and Toyo Sanso, has been one of Japan's more globally acquisitive companies in recent years. The company has bought businesses from Linde (North America), Praxair (Europe) and Air Liquide (USA), Air Products (Thailand) while buying businesses outright or majority stakes in India, Australia, Singapore, Thailand. From  2014, TNS became a consolidated subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical (4188 JP), a stake that represents 44% of Mitsubishi Chemical's current market value. 
HIGH-PRESSURE PERFORMER - TNS shares have been one of the best-performing stocks in the Chemicals Sector in Japan since 2012, rising by 554% and reaching a daily closing high of ¥2,665 on 15th November 2019. Although no longer Overbought and having moved in a  narrow range since July 2019, TNS shares are still trading at the elevated levels commensurate with a high-growth company.

Source • Japan Analytics
TRULY GLOBAL - The domestic gas business is now only 42% of revenues and 29% of Operating Income, with the business spread geographically between the US (25%/25%), Europe (20%.28%), and Asia-Pacific (13%/11.9). Gas margins are higher overseas (10%/15%/10%) than in Japan 7.5%, which has been one of the drivers of the expansion abroad. 

Source • Company
MOSTLY GAS - Although TNS has four main business lines, the non-Industrial Gas businesses are related to the application of gas technologies and products in fields related to electronics, medical care and energy. The exception is the THERMOS stainless steel vacuum flasks and thermal cookers business which commands margins of over 30% but is only 3% of sales.

Source • Company
HOLDCO - In October this year, the company will transition to a holding company and change its name to Nippon Sanso Holdings as outlined above. The aim is to devolve more decision-making authority to the regions/business groups.

Source • Japan Analytics
DOWNWARD REVISION - On 5th February, TNS announced a downward revision of Revenue, Operating Income and Net Income of 4%, 7% and 6%, respectively, due to weak performance in the domestic Gas and Thermos divisions and one-off costs relating to Nippon Ekitan. These revisions are the first downward revisions by the company in six years and will likely be followed by a cautious outlook for FY2021 at the full-year results announcement in May.
AVOID/SELL - Although now more diversified, TNS remains primarily exposed to developed manufacturing economies and has yet to prove it can earn a positive residual return on its newly acquired assets. The company has attracted a premium valuation but has, so far, yet to justify investors' confidence. Shielded by the majority ownership of Mitsubishi Chemicals, there is little pressure than can be exerted on management to focus on returns rather than scale for scale's sake. We consider a TTM EV/OP ratio of 21.4 times excessive for a -1.5% return and recommend avoiding or selling TNS ahead of the upcoming cyclical downturn.

4091🇯🇵 Taiyo Nippon Sanso - High-Pressure • High-Stakes

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

Equity Capital Markets

<p>When Air Water initially announced its secondary, we suggested that it would take a significant discount to get us interested. This was partly due to the degree of dilution and partly due to relatively stretched valuations on an EV/OP basis. With the stock price down 16% from the undisturbed price and the offering set to price tomorrow, we find the deal looking a lot more constructive now.</p>

When Air Water initially announced its secondary, we suggested that it would take a significant discount to get us interested. This was partly due to the degree of dilution and partly due to relatively stretched valuations on an EV/OP basis. With the stock price down 16% from the undisturbed price and the offering set to price tomorrow, we find the deal looking a lot more constructive now.

Air Water – Share Price Fall Has Gotten Us Interested

Japan

AIR WATER INC. produces industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and acetylene.  The Company also sells fuels and processed foods.

Air Water Inc (4088 JP)

Normal Pullback, or Something More?; Watching Resistance on DXY and 10-Yr Treasury Yield; Value Buys

Normal Pullback, or Something More for global equities?; Watch Resistance on $DXY and 10-Yr Treasury Yield; Value Buys in Consumer Discretionary...

Vermilion Research

🇯🇵 JAPAN - Stress Tests Part 3 - Inventory, Fixed Asset & Free Cash Flows

FROM OPERATING TO FINANCING CASH FLOWS - Having examined Operating Cash Flow in our previous Insight, we shall look into the 'stressors' between...

Campbell Gunn

SK Materials - The Biggest Winner from SK Group's Vertical Integration of Semiconductor Materials

We believe SK Materials is the biggest winner from SK Group's efforts to vertically integrate the sourcing of semiconductor-related gases and...

Douglas Kim

4091🇯🇵 Taiyo Nippon Sanso - High-Pressure • High-Stakes

TAIYO NIPPON SANSO (4091 JP) - TNS, itself a three-way merger between Nippon Sanso, Taiyo Sanso and Toyo Sanso, has been one of Japan's more...

Campbell Gunn

Normal Pullback, or Something More?; Watching Resistance on DXY and 10-Yr Treasury Yield; Value Buys

Normal Pullback, or Something More for global equities?; Watch Resistance on $DXY and 10-Yr Treasury Yield; Value Buys in Consumer Discretionary...

Vermilion Research

🇯🇵 JAPAN - Stress Tests Part 3 - Inventory, Fixed Asset & Free Cash Flows

FROM OPERATING TO FINANCING CASH FLOWS - Having examined Operating Cash Flow in our previous Insight, we shall look into the 'stressors' between...

Campbell Gunn

SK Materials - The Biggest Winner from SK Group's Vertical Integration of Semiconductor Materials

We believe SK Materials is the biggest winner from SK Group's efforts to vertically integrate the sourcing of semiconductor-related gases and...

Douglas Kim

4091🇯🇵 Taiyo Nippon Sanso - High-Pressure • High-Stakes

TAIYO NIPPON SANSO (4091 JP) - TNS, itself a three-way merger between Nippon Sanso, Taiyo Sanso and Toyo Sanso, has been one of Japan's more...

Campbell Gunn

Air Water – Share Price Fall Has Gotten Us Interested

When Air Water initially announced its secondary, we suggested that it would take a significant discount to get us interested. This was partly due...

Mio Kato