Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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)

<h3>What’s Original?</h3>
<p>In this original, we have discussed some of the key aspects highlighted in Kishida’s policy statements along with the current status of these policies and companies that are likely to benefit.</p>

What’s Original?
In this original, we have discussed some of the key aspects highlighted in Kishida’s policy statements along with the current status of these policies and companies that are likely to benefit.

Kishida as Prime Minister: The Path Ahead

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• RELATIVE PRICE SCORE OUTLIERS •</strong></p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/183/304/original/2021-01-18_07-21-17.png?1611015356" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="183304"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/183/305/original/2021-01-19_09-18-35.png?1611015525" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="183305"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></section><p><strong>POLES APART</strong><strong>&amp; ECHOES OF 2000</strong>- As the Japanese equity market continues to rise the 'spread' between the percentage of listed companies that are OverSold (Relative Price Score &lt;-2.0) and those that are OverBought (RPS &gt; 4.0) remains at extreme levels as does the spread in terms of market weight. 7.2% of listed companies are Oversold; while 2.2% are OverBought, but the latter account for 13.7% of market value; the former just 5.4%. The last time both pairs of metrics were at these levels was the 2000 technology bubble.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/183/321/original/2021-01-19_10-25-51.png?1611019564" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="183321"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/183/323/original/2021-01-19_10-27-10.png?1611019660" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="183323"></figure></section><p><strong>BLOW OUT</strong> - As was the case in 2000, the total number of Sectors either OverBought or Oversold is also at an extreme level having peaked at 13 in December. This number has been exceeded only twice in the last fifty years  - in December 1999 (16) and February 2000 (14).   </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/183/363/original/2021-01-19_12-45-46.png?1611027961" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="183363"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/183/367/original/2021-01-19_13-09-06.png?1611029374" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="183367"></figure></section><div><p>In the<strong> DETAIL</strong> section below, we provide an update on  Sector, Peer Group and individual company Relative Price Score trends and outliers and make some stock-specific recommendations.</p></div><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p><strong>THE JAPAN ANALYTICS RELATIVE PRICE SCORE</strong> -  The Relative Price Score (RPS) is a measure of price performance relative to TOPIX calculated by comparing the current deviation with the mean absolute deviation of monthly and daily relative share prices over the last 28 years and 24 months, respectively. As all companies on a comparable scale, 'Overbought' and 'Oversold' outliers and short-term changes in scoring can offer some trading opportunities. The data for all 3,919 currently-listed Companies is cap-weight-aggregated into Relative Price Scores for our 328 Peer Groups and 30 Sectors. The Overbought and Oversold outlier 'thresholds are set' at +4 &amp; -2 for Companies, +3 &amp; -1.5 for Peer Groups and +2 and -1 for Sectors, respectively. These thresholds equate with the top and bottom percentiles of over 3.2 million observations.</p></div></div></div>

• RELATIVE PRICE SCORE OUTLIERS •Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsPOLES APART&amp; ECHOES OF 2000- As the Japanese equity market continues to rise the 'spread' between the percentage of listed companies that are OverSold (Relative Price Score &lt;-2.0) and those that are OverBought (RPS &gt; 4.0) remains at extreme levels as does the spread in terms of market weight. 7.2% of listed companies are Oversold; while 2.2% are OverBought, but the latter account for 13.7% of market value; the former just 5.4%. The last time both pairs of metrics were at these levels was the 2000 technology bubble.BLOW OUT - As was the case in 2000, the total number of Sectors either OverBought or Oversold is also at an extreme level having peaked at 13 in December. This number has been exceeded only twice in the last fifty years  - in December 1999 (16) and February 2000 (14).   In the DETAIL section below, we provide an update on  Sector, Peer Group and individual company Relative Price Score trends and outliers and make some stock-specific recommendations.THE JAPAN ANALYTICS RELATIVE PRICE SCORE -  The Relative Price Score (RPS) is a measure of price performance relative to TOPIX calculated by comparing the current deviation with the mean absolute deviation of monthly and daily relative share prices over the last 28 years and 24 months, respectively. As all companies on a comparable scale, 'Overbought' and 'Oversold' outliers and short-term changes in scoring can offer some trading opportunities. The data for all 3,919 currently-listed Companies is cap-weight-aggregated into Relative Price Scores for our 328 Peer Groups and 30 Sectors. The Overbought and Oversold outlier 'thresholds are set' at +4 &amp; -2 for Companies, +3 &amp; -1.5 for Peer Groups and +2 and -1 for Sectors, respectively. These thresholds equate with the top and bottom percentiles of over 3.2 million observations.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • January Relative Price Scores -  Actionable Mean Reversion Trades

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/527/original/2020-11-14_11-37-16.png?1605390226" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171527"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></section><p><strong>EUPHORIC UP VOLUME</strong> - In the wake of the US election, volume reached the highest levels since March this week and the 'breakout' of the deeply-flawed <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 </a>index attracted some attention.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-stock-exchange-tokyo-price-index-topix" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22910:1" rel="noopener"></a><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/528/original/2020-11-14_11-41-14.png?1605390632" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171528"></p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"></figure></section><p><strong>LOWER HIGHS</strong> - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-stock-exchange-tokyo-price-index-topix" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22910:1" rel="noopener">Topix</a> has a few more false summits to overcome to return to the 1980s. A failure to rise above the 2019 high would result in a technically-unhelpful third 'lower high'. Meanwhile, the Yen continues to drift higher against the US dollar. A breach of the ¥100 level would not be supportive of further market upside.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/534/original/2020-11-15_07-35-54.png?1605393369" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171534"></figure></section><p><strong>RSI &gt;80</strong> - The 5-day Relative Strenght Index also rallied to above 80 for only the third time this year, and suggests a period of consolidation is ahead.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/538/original/2020-11-15_07-45-36.png?1605394410" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171538"></figure></section><p><strong>DISCONNECTED</strong> - Unusally, the RSI peak was not matched by a corresponding peak in the Toraku advance/decline ratio. This rally is narrowly concentrated and vulnerable to correction without a broader base of support. Absolute breadth has been steadily falling since the beginning of September and is a bearish signal for the market overall.</p><p><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/539/original/2020-11-14_11-30-48.png?1605394669" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171539"></p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/540/original/2020-11-14_09-56-01.png?1605395057" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171540"></figure></section><p><strong>TOPIX SMALL LAGS AGAIN</strong> - Lastly, the spread between TOPIX and TOPIX Small has fallen to close to a six-month low suggesting an over-concentration in index 'heavyweights'.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/541/original/2020-11-15_08-10-28.png?1605395444" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171541"></figure></section><p><strong>NOT CHEAP</strong> - With only <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/recruit-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15070:1" rel="noopener">Recruit (6098 JP)</a> left to report among large caps, the mostly-interim results 'season' has concluded. Trailing operating income has reached a six-year low of ¥40 trillion and a further 10% decline is projected over the next four months. More optimistically, forecast Net Income is within ¥0.5 trillion of the trailing total and has risen by ¥1.8 trillion over the last week. Trailing and forecast multiples are just above 30 times and discount a return to a pre-COVID economy by the summer. </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/582/original/2020-11-15_12-53-24.png?1605412418" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171582"></figure></section><p><strong>TURNING THE TIDE</strong> - As in the past, the Cabinet Office Leading Indicator bottomed out in sync (allowing for the reporting lag) with the bottoming out of trailing and forecast earnings momentum for our cap-weighted universe of listed companies. A forthcoming Insight will review the Sector, Peer Group and company highlights of the lastest results and revisions.</p><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p></div><div>
<p>Our best and worst pairing from Friday's announcements is IT security specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/change-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27414:1" rel="noopener">Change (3962 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/olympus-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:356:1" rel="noopener">Olympus (7733 JP)</a>.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/583/original/2020-11-15_13-06-16.png?1605413211" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171583"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/584/original/2020-11-15_13-07-40.png?1605413274" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171584"></figure></section><div>
<hr>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p>
<hr>
</div>
<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>540 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div>
<div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Results Score:</strong> 42% Positive / 12% Neutral / 46% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Results Score Change:</strong> -0.3 points</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -7.7% Quarter YoY / -5.3% Rolling TTM YoY </p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -2.4ppt</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 25%</p></li>
</ul></div>
<hr>
<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>216 Annual • 29 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div>
<div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 46% Positive / 14% Neutral / 40% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 31% Positive / 17% Neutral / 52% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> +0.1 points</p></li>
</ul></div>
</div>

Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsEUPHORIC UP VOLUME - In the wake of the US election, volume reached the highest levels since March this week and the 'breakout' of the deeply-flawed Nikkei 225 index attracted some attention.LOWER HIGHS - Topix has a few more false summits to overcome to return to the 1980s. A failure to rise above the 2019 high would result in a technically-unhelpful third 'lower high'. Meanwhile, the Yen continues to drift higher against the US dollar. A breach of the ¥100 level would not be supportive of further market upside.RSI &gt;80 - The 5-day Relative Strenght Index also rallied to above 80 for only the third time this year, and suggests a period of consolidation is ahead.DISCONNECTED - Unusally, the RSI peak was not matched by a corresponding peak in the Toraku advance/decline ratio. This rally is narrowly concentrated and vulnerable to correction without a broader base of support. Absolute breadth has been steadily falling since the beginning of September and is a bearish signal for the market overall.TOPIX SMALL LAGS AGAIN - Lastly, the spread between TOPIX and TOPIX Small has fallen to close to a six-month low suggesting an over-concentration in index 'heavyweights'.NOT CHEAP - With only Recruit (6098 JP) left to report among large caps, the mostly-interim results 'season' has concluded. Trailing operating income has reached a six-year low of ¥40 trillion and a further 10% decline is projected over the next four months. More optimistically, forecast Net Income is within ¥0.5 trillion of the trailing total and has risen by ¥1.8 trillion over the last week. Trailing and forecast multiples are just above 30 times and discount a return to a pre-COVID economy by the summer. TURNING THE TIDE - As in the past, the Cabinet Office Leading Indicator bottomed out in sync (allowing for the reporting lag) with the bottoming out of trailing and forecast earnings momentum for our cap-weighted universe of listed companies. A forthcoming Insight will review the Sector, Peer Group and company highlights of the lastest results and revisions.• BEST &amp; WORST •
Our best and worst pairing from Friday's announcements is IT security specialist Change (3962 JP) and Olympus (7733 JP).


DAILY STATS


540 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 42% Positive / 12% Neutral / 46% Negative
Average Results Score Change: -0.3 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -7.7% Quarter YoY / -5.3% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -2.4ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 25%


216 Annual • 29 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 46% Positive / 14% Neutral / 40% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 31% Positive / 17% Neutral / 52% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: +0.1 points



🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market Update & Results & Revisions 11/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​13 - Euphoria!

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">Our best and worst pairing from yesterday's announcements is cloud service provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakus-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29200:1" rel="noopener">Rakus (3923 JP)</a> and conglomerate <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ichigo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11386:1" rel="noopener">Ichigo (2337 JP)</a> </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/165/315/original/2020-10-15_05-50-54.png?1602708663" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="165315"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/165/316/original/2020-10-15_05-48-45.png?1602708676" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="165316"></figure></section><div style="text-align: center;" class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>58 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Results Score:</strong> 41% Positive / 10% Neutral / 48% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Results Score Change:</strong> -0.5 points</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -14.5% Quarter YoY / -8.6% Rolling TTM YoY </p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -3.9ppt</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 33%</p></li>
</ul></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>33 Annual • 10 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 45% Positive / 6% Neutral / 48% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 40% Positive / 20% Neutral / 40% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -4.0 point</p></li>
</ul></div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •Our best and worst pairing from yesterday's announcements is cloud service provider Rakus (3923 JP) and conglomerate Ichigo (2337 JP) Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsDAILY STATS58 Quarterly Results
Results Score: 41% Positive / 10% Neutral / 48% Negative
Average Results Score Change: -0.5 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -14.5% Quarter YoY / -8.6% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -3.9ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 33%
33 Annual • 10 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 45% Positive / 6% Neutral / 48% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 40% Positive / 20% Neutral / 40% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -4.0 point


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​​​14 - ABC Mart, USEN-NEXT, Saizeriya, Ichigo, Rakus

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/digital-arts-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2846:1" rel="noopener">Digital Arts (2326 JP)</a> , based in Japan offers internet security software and appliances  globally. The company also provides consulting services related to information security.</li>
<li>The company’s share price has moved up by more than 30% over the last 30-days driven by DA’s decision to deconsolidate its DAC business.</li>
<li>Given the high-cost nature, we welcome Digital Arts’ move to deconsolidate the DAC business as it should help improve the company’s profitability.</li>
</ul>



Digital Arts (2326 JP) , based in Japan offers internet security software and appliances  globally. The company also provides consulting services related to information security.
The company’s share price has moved up by more than 30% over the last 30-days driven by DA’s decision to deconsolidate its DAC business.
Given the high-cost nature, we welcome Digital Arts’ move to deconsolidate the DAC business as it should help improve the company’s profitability.


Digital Arts: Decision to Deconsolidate DAC Business – A Positive Move

Japan

Change Co., Ltd. provides IT and network security services and solutions. The company also delivers data analytics services and training related solutions.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Change Inc (3962 JP)

Kishida as Prime Minister: The Path Ahead

In this original, we have discussed some of the key aspects highlighted in Kishida’s policy statements along with the current status of these...

Mio Kato

🇯🇵 JAPAN • January Relative Price Scores - Actionable Mean Reversion Trades

As the Japanese equity market continues to rise the 'spread' between the percentage of listed companies that are OverSold and those that are...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market Update & Results & Revisions 11/13 - Euphoria!

EUPHORIC UP VOLUME - In the wake of the US election, volume reached the highest levels since March this week and the 'breakout' of the deeply...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/14 - ABC Mart, USEN-NEXT, Saizeriya, Ichigo, Rakus

Our best and worst pairing from yesterday's announcements is cloud service provider Rakus (3923 JP) and conglomerate Ichigo (2337 JP)

Campbell Gunn

Digital Arts: Decision to Deconsolidate DAC Business – A Positive Move

DA's share price has rallied more than 30% last 30-days with the decision to deconsolidate the DAC business, which is a lower profitability biz....

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Kishida as Prime Minister: The Path Ahead

In this original, we have discussed some of the key aspects highlighted in Kishida’s policy statements along with the current status of these...

Mio Kato

🇯🇵 JAPAN • January Relative Price Scores - Actionable Mean Reversion Trades

As the Japanese equity market continues to rise the 'spread' between the percentage of listed companies that are OverSold and those that are...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market Update & Results & Revisions 11/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​13 - Euphoria!

EUPHORIC UP VOLUME - In the wake of the US election, volume reached the highest levels since March this week and the 'breakout' of the deeply...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​​​14 - ABC Mart, USEN-NEXT, Saizeriya, Ichigo, Rakus

Our best and worst pairing from yesterday's announcements is cloud service provider Rakus (3923 JP) and conglomerate Ichigo (2337 JP)

Campbell Gunn

Digital Arts: Decision to Deconsolidate DAC Business – A Positive Move

DA's share price has rallied more than 30% last 30-days with the decision to deconsolidate the DAC business, which is a lower profitability biz....

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market Update & Results & Revisions 11/13 - Euphoria!

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/14 - ABC Mart, USEN-NEXT, Saizeriya, Ichigo, Rakus