'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>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p><p>Thursday was the disclosure 'peak' for the November/February/May/August year-end group of companies. One-quarter of the companies reporting results yesterday were in the red, and average revenues are margins are still declining. Half of the large caps are reporting losses for the trailing twelve-month period. On a brighter note,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon (7751 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nachi-fujikoshi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9817:1" rel="noopener">Nachi Fujikoshi (6474 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/agc-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2167:1" rel="noopener">AGC (5201 JP) </a>continued the trend of industrial upward revisions ahead of their imminent full-year results. Our best and worst pairing from Thursday's announcements is <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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/create-restaurants-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11513:1" rel="noopener">create restaurants (3387 JP)</a>. </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/182/603/original/2021-01-15_06-37-49.png?1610660282" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="182603"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/182/604/original/2021-01-15_06-38-33.png?1610660325" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="182604"></figure></section><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics.</div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •Thursday was the disclosure 'peak' for the November/February/May/August year-end group of companies. One-quarter of the companies reporting results yesterday were in the red, and average revenues are margins are still declining. Half of the large caps are reporting losses for the trailing twelve-month period. On a brighter note,  Canon (7751 JP), Nachi Fujikoshi (6474 JP), and AGC (5201 JP) continued the trend of industrial upward revisions ahead of their imminent full-year results. Our best and worst pairing from Thursday's announcements is Fast Retailing (9983 JP) and create restaurants (3387 JP). Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​01/​​​​​​14 Fast, Create, Canon, AGC

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in margin trading positions of JPX stocks as of Jun 26th. The aggregated net margin trading position is USD32,057m.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top/bottom net long/short of margin trading by value, net margin buy as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight net margin buy/sell changes in Kioxia, SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Fujikura, McDonald's, Skylark, Disco, Taiyo Yuden, Lasertec, Japan Tobacco.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in margin trading positions of JPX stocks as of Jun 26th. The aggregated net margin trading position is USD32,057m.
We tabulate league tables for top/bottom net long/short of margin trading by value, net margin buy as multiple of ADT.
We highlight net margin buy/sell changes in Kioxia, SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Fujikura, McDonald's, Skylark, Disco, Taiyo Yuden, Lasertec, Japan Tobacco.


JPX Margin Trading Weekly (Jun 26th): Kioxia, SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Fujikura, McDonald's, Disco

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/162/891/original/2020-10-01_13-26-50.png?1601526452" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="162891"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables unless otherwise stated: Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>SHORT TENURE</strong> - Since 1979 the average prime ministerial tenure in Japan has been 750 days. Excluding the three longest-serving Prime Ministers of the last forty years - Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2 - the average is 494 days. The equity market has favoured long-serving Liberal Democratic Party government (marked in light green above) and disliked periods of coalition or opposition (<span title="Japanese language text">野党</span> y<em>atō)</em> government and also tenures of less than eighteen months.</p>
<p><strong>PM SUGA</strong> - Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide succeeded former Prime Minister Abe on 16th September the latter having stepped down for health reasons. Suga had served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (<span title="Japanese language text">内閣官房長官</span>,<em> Naikaku-kanbō-chōkan</em>) for all of Abe's premiership. The continuity offered by Suga's elevation provides Japan with the prospect of an extended period of political stability. From his policy statements made during the brief prime-ministerial election campaign, Suga has bold aims for challenging Japan's economic and social ills. Given his previous role and mastery of the balance between political necessities and bureaucratic realities, the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy and stock market.</p>
<hr>
<p style="text-align: center;">In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> below, we shall cover the following topics:-</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>I: SUGA's BACKGROUND &amp; POLITICAL CAREER</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>II: POLICY PRIORITIES</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Defence &amp; Foreign Policy</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Economic Policy</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Administrative Reform</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Digital Agency</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Telecommunications Services</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Birth-rate and Fertility Treatment</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Regional Revitalisation &amp; Regional Bank Reform</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">SME restructuring</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Carbon Neutrality &amp; A Nuclear Renaissance</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>III: SUGA STOCKS RECOMMENDATIONS</strong></p>
<hr>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>WHAT'S ORIGINAL? - </strong>This Insight reviews the implications of PM Suga's policy platform for specific sectors and stocks in the Japanse equity market and concludes with five long and five short recommendations for large-cap growth and value-orientated portfolios.  </p>
<hr>
<blockquote class="">
<p><strong>"Self-help, mutual help, public help, and "kizuna" (bonds) is our vision for society. With that in mind, we firmly believe, overcoming various issues, such as regional revitalization and the shrinking population, as well as the declining birth-rate and aging society, will create dynamism in Japan. To this end, we will meet the people's expectations by giving birth to a "Cabinet that works for the People," which gives its all to advance regulatory reforms without being constrained by the vested interests of the stakeholders, tearing down bureaucratic sectionalism and the notorious habit of following past precedents.</strong></p>
<h3>Statement of the Prime Minister</h3>
<p><strong>September 16th, 2020</strong></p>
</blockquote>


Source for all charts &amp; tables unless otherwise stated: Japan Analytics
SHORT TENURE - Since 1979 the average prime ministerial tenure in Japan has been 750 days. Excluding the three longest-serving Prime Ministers of the last forty years - Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2 - the average is 494 days. The equity market has favoured long-serving Liberal Democratic Party government (marked in light green above) and disliked periods of coalition or opposition (野党 yatō) government and also tenures of less than eighteen months.
PM SUGA - Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide succeeded former Prime Minister Abe on 16th September the latter having stepped down for health reasons. Suga had served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (内閣官房長官, Naikaku-kanbō-chōkan) for all of Abe's premiership. The continuity offered by Suga's elevation provides Japan with the prospect of an extended period of political stability. From his policy statements made during the brief prime-ministerial election campaign, Suga has bold aims for challenging Japan's economic and social ills. Given his previous role and mastery of the balance between political necessities and bureaucratic realities, the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy and stock market.

In the DETAIL below, we shall cover the following topics:-
I: SUGA's BACKGROUND &amp; POLITICAL CAREER
II: POLICY PRIORITIES
Defence &amp; Foreign Policy
Economic Policy
Administrative Reform
The Digital Agency
Telecommunications Services
Birth-rate and Fertility Treatment
Regional Revitalisation &amp; Regional Bank Reform
SME restructuring
Carbon Neutrality &amp; A Nuclear Renaissance
III: SUGA STOCKS RECOMMENDATIONS

WHAT'S ORIGINAL? - This Insight reviews the implications of PM Suga's policy platform for specific sectors and stocks in the Japanse equity market and concludes with five long and five short recommendations for large-cap growth and value-orientated portfolios.  


"Self-help, mutual help, public help, and "kizuna" (bonds) is our vision for society. With that in mind, we firmly believe, overcoming various issues, such as regional revitalization and the shrinking population, as well as the declining birth-rate and aging society, will create dynamism in Japan. To this end, we will meet the people's expectations by giving birth to a "Cabinet that works for the People," which gives its all to advance regulatory reforms without being constrained by the vested interests of the stakeholders, tearing down bureaucratic sectionalism and the notorious habit of following past precedents.
Statement of the Prime Minister
September 16th, 2020


🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p><p>Our best and worst pairing from Monday's announcements is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nidec-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7245:1" rel="noopener">Nidec (6594 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/koei-tecmo-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20277:1" rel="noopener">Koei Tecmo (3635 JP)</a>. </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/167/689/original/2020-10-27_05-41-07.png?1603744887" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="167689"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/167/690/original/2020-10-27_05-42-32.png?1603744992" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="167690"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></section><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>232Quarterly Results</strong></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Results Score:</strong> 31% Positive / 9% Neutral / 59% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Results Score Change:</strong> -1.9 points</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -10.0% Quarter YoY / -4.8% Rolling TTM YoY </p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -0.8ppt</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 6%</p></li>
</ul></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>33 Annual • 29 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 39% Positive / 12% Neutral / 49% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 59% Positive / 0% Neutral / 41% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> +1.1 points</p></li>
</ul></div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •Our best and worst pairing from Monday's announcements is Nidec (6594 JP) and Koei Tecmo (3635 JP). Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsDAILY STATS232Quarterly Results
Results Score: 31% Positive / 9% Neutral / 59% Negative
Average Results Score Change: -1.9 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -10.0% Quarter YoY / -4.8% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -0.8ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 6%
33 Annual • 29 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 39% Positive / 12% Neutral / 49% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 59% Positive / 0% Neutral / 41% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: +1.1 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​26 Nidec, Canon, OBIC, Koei Tecmo, Nitto Denko

<div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/163/118/original/2020-10-03_15-34-01.png?1601706874" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="163118"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>WARMING UP</strong> - Earnings momentum is finally on the 'up'. Our Interim Forecast/Revision Score data series which runs from March to September finished 2020 on a two-month high, while both the Annual series are above their September low points. The divergence between domestic non-manufacturing and globally-orientated manufacturing companies continues to widen exemplified by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/honda-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:154:1" rel="noopener">Honda Motor (7267 JP)</a>'s announcement of their decision to pull out of Formula 1 from the end of the 2021 season. Although trailing earnings have also stabilised, operating and net income forecasts and their 'gap to trailing' continue to increase. The forward multiple is 32.5 times. </p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/163/261/original/2020-10-04_07-12-52.png?1601763187" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="163261"></figure><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p>
</div><div><p>Our best and worst pair is home centre <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimachu-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5235:1" rel="noopener">Shimachu (8184 JP)</a> for whom a rumoured bid from peer DCM has emerged and diaper machinery maker and small-cap value investor favourite and Unicharm proxy<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zuiko-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5568:1" rel="noopener"> Zuiko (6279 JP)</a>. </p></div><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/163/135/original/2020-10-03_17-07-27.png?1601712488" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="163135"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/163/136/original/2020-10-03_17-08-41.png?1601712545" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="163136"></figure><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>18 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Results Score:</strong> 56% Positive / 11% Neutral / 33% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Results Score Change:</strong> 0.0 points</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -9.6% Quarter YoY / -5.2% Rolling TTM YoY </p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -2.6ppt</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 33%</p></li>
</ul></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>9 Annual • 6 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 33% Positive /22% Neutral / 44% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 50% Positive / 17% Neutral / 33% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -2.1 points</p></li>
</ul></div>


Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics
WARMING UP - Earnings momentum is finally on the 'up'. Our Interim Forecast/Revision Score data series which runs from March to September finished 2020 on a two-month high, while both the Annual series are above their September low points. The divergence between domestic non-manufacturing and globally-orientated manufacturing companies continues to widen exemplified by Honda Motor (7267 JP)'s announcement of their decision to pull out of Formula 1 from the end of the 2021 season. Although trailing earnings have also stabilised, operating and net income forecasts and their 'gap to trailing' continue to increase. The forward multiple is 32.5 times. 
• BEST &amp; WORST •
Our best and worst pair is home centre Shimachu (8184 JP) for whom a rumoured bid from peer DCM has emerged and diaper machinery maker and small-cap value investor favourite and Unicharm proxy Zuiko (6279 JP). DAILY STATS18 Quarterly Results
Results Score: 56% Positive / 11% Neutral / 33% Negative
Average Results Score Change: 0.0 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -9.6% Quarter YoY / -5.2% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -2.6ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 33%
9 Annual • 6 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 33% Positive /22% Neutral / 44% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 50% Positive / 17% Neutral / 33% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -2.1 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​02 DCM (Under)Bids for Shimachu, Zuiko>Unicharm, Ktk>Canon

Japan

Canon Inc. is a professional and consumer imaging solutions company and patent-holder of digital imaging technologies. The Company's products include networked multifunction devices, digital and analog copiers, computer peripherals, facsimile machines, image filing systems, camcorders, cameras and lenses, semiconductor, and broadcast and medical equipment.

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Canon Inc (7751 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 01/14 Fast, Create, Canon, AGC

Thursday was the disclosure 'peak' for the November/February/May/August year-end group of companies. One-quarter of the companies reporting results...

Campbell Gunn

JPX Margin Trading Weekly (Jun 26th): Kioxia, SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Fujikura, McDonald's, Disco

We analyzed JPX margin trading positions report for the past week and highlighted Kioxia, SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Fujikura, McDonald's, Skylark,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

We believe the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/26 Nidec, Canon, OBIC, Koei Tecmo, Nitto Denko

• BEST & WORST • Our best and worst pairing from Monday's announcements is Nidec (6594 JP) and Koei Tecmo (3635...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/02 DCM (Under)Bids for Shimachu, Zuiko>Unicharm, Ktk>Canon

• BEST & WORST • The release of earnings announcements, forecasts and revisions was unaffected, and our best and worst pair is medical wear...

Campbell Gunn

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52-week Range

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🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​01/​​​​​​14 Fast, Create, Canon, AGC

Thursday was the disclosure 'peak' for the November/February/May/August year-end group of companies. One-quarter of the companies reporting results...

Campbell Gunn

JPX Margin Trading Weekly (Jun 26th): Kioxia, SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Fujikura, McDonald's, Disco

We analyzed JPX margin trading positions report for the past week and highlighted Kioxia, SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Fujikura, McDonald's, Skylark,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

We believe the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​26 Nidec, Canon, OBIC, Koei Tecmo, Nitto Denko

• BEST & WORST • Our best and worst pairing from Monday's announcements is Nidec (6594 JP) and Koei Tecmo (3635...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​02 DCM (Under)Bids for Shimachu, Zuiko>Unicharm, Ktk>Canon

• BEST & WORST • The release of earnings announcements, forecasts and revisions was unaffected, and our best and worst pair is medical wear...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 01/14 Fast, Create, Canon, AGC

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/26 Nidec, Canon, OBIC, Koei Tecmo, Nitto Denko

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/02 DCM (Under)Bids for Shimachu, Zuiko>Unicharm, Ktk>Canon