'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 13th AUGUST •</strong></p><p>The 'best' of yesterday's large-cap announcements came from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakus-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29200:1" rel="noopener">Rakus (3923 JP)</a>, the 'worst' from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16287:1" rel="noopener">ASICS Corp (7936 JP)</a>.  More extensive coverage follows in the<strong> DETAIL</strong> section below.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/152/408/original/2020-08-14_05-05-16.png?1597349134" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="152408"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/152/409/original/2020-08-14_05-05-59.png?1597349190" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="152409"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p></div><hr><div><p><strong>PERCENTAGES</strong> - <strong>58%</strong> of quarterly results, <strong>48%</strong> of annual forecasts/revisions and <strong>61%</strong> of interim forecasts have negative Scores and <strong>30%</strong> of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.</p></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>170 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div><div><ul>
<li>
<strong>Results Score:</strong> 29% Positive / 12% Neutral / 58% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Results Score Change: -</strong>2.7 points</li>
<li>
<strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -10.8% Quarter YoY / +5.0% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>
<strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -1.3 ppt</li>
<li>
<strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 30%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>56 Annual • 23 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div><div><ul>
<li>Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 38% Positive / 14% Neutral / 48% Negative</li>
<li>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 26% Positive / 13% Neutral / 61% Negative</li>
<li>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -2.2 points</li>
</ul></div>

•BEST &amp; WORST 13th AUGUST •The 'best' of yesterday's large-cap announcements came from Rakus (3923 JP), the 'worst' from ASICS Corp (7936 JP).  More extensive coverage follows in the DETAIL section below.Source • Japan AnalyticsDAILY STATSPERCENTAGES - 58% of quarterly results, 48% of annual forecasts/revisions and 61% of interim forecasts have negative Scores and 30% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.170 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 29% Positive / 12% Neutral / 58% Negative

Average Results Score Change: -2.7 points

Average % Change in Revenue: -10.8% Quarter YoY / +5.0% Rolling TTM YoY 

Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.3 ppt

Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 30%
56 Annual • 23 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 38% Positive / 14% Neutral / 48% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 26% Positive / 13% Neutral / 61% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -2.2 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 13th August - Asics, FUJIFILM, Dentsu, Mitsubishi Shoji

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/146/525/original/2020-07-17_06-19-01.png?1594934496" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="146525"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/146/527/original/2020-07-17_06-37-29.png?1594935664" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="146527"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • ZOOM</div><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zoom-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28943:1" rel="noopener">ZOOM (6694 JP)</a></strong>- Micro-cap ZOOM, not to be confused with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zoom-technologies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28002:1" rel="noopener">ZOOM</a> US, although it appears many did just that in June, makes mobile audio recording equipment (as shown above) and was the only company that reported yesterday. The company has struggled in the wake of COVID-19 with parts shortages in China and the insolvency of two distribution companies in Europe which resulted in a ¥240 million impairment loss. Zoom has recently bought out the minorities in Zoom North America and will book a re-valuation gain which accounts for ¥178 million or two-thirds of the upward revision. Zoom has not generated positive operating cash flow since listing in March 2017 and has invested significantly in inventory and fixed assets for marginal residual returns. Despite yesterday's highly prescient 6.7% gain in Soom shares, we do not expect a second strike of lighting.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/146/528/original/2020-07-17_06-43-09.png?1594936605" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="146528"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/146/529/original/2020-07-17_06-55-14.png?1594936629" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="146529"></figure><div style="text-align: center;" class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><hr><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• COVID-19 •</strong></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/146/536/original/File%202020-07-17%202%2039%2040.jpeg?1594937209" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="146536"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Our World In Data</div><p><strong>IN OTHER NEWS</strong> - Tokyo recorded a new recorded high in daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 yesterday, and Japan overall is back in the red-zone in the chart above with greater than 3% increase in the seven0day rolling average. In the last month, Japan has seen one of the fastest rates in case -count growth globally, and the reimposition of restrictions on social activity will soon be necessary. Such a change in direction is not yet discounted in the stock market. </p><div>
<hr>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p>
</div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><br><strong>6 Annual • 2 Interim Forecasts/Revision</strong>s</p></div><div><ul>
<li>
<strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 1 Positive / 1 Neutral / 4 Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 1 Positive / 0 Neutral / 1 Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 0.8</li>
</ul></div>

Source • Japan AnalyticsSource • ZOOMZOOM (6694 JP)- Micro-cap ZOOM, not to be confused with ZOOM US, although it appears many did just that in June, makes mobile audio recording equipment (as shown above) and was the only company that reported yesterday. The company has struggled in the wake of COVID-19 with parts shortages in China and the insolvency of two distribution companies in Europe which resulted in a ¥240 million impairment loss. Zoom has recently bought out the minorities in Zoom North America and will book a re-valuation gain which accounts for ¥178 million or two-thirds of the upward revision. Zoom has not generated positive operating cash flow since listing in March 2017 and has invested significantly in inventory and fixed assets for marginal residual returns. Despite yesterday's highly prescient 6.7% gain in Soom shares, we do not expect a second strike of lighting.Source • Japan Analytics• COVID-19 •Source • Our World In DataIN OTHER NEWS - Tokyo recorded a new recorded high in daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 yesterday, and Japan overall is back in the red-zone in the chart above with greater than 3% increase in the seven0day rolling average. In the last month, Japan has seen one of the fastest rates in case -count growth globally, and the reimposition of restrictions on social activity will soon be necessary. Such a change in direction is not yet discounted in the stock market. 

DAILY STATS
 6 Annual • 2 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 1 Positive / 1 Neutral / 4 Negative

Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 1 Positive / 0 Neutral / 1 Negative

Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: 0.8


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 16th July - The Other Zoom, ISI-D, Adastria

<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

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/136/350/original/2020-05-28_06-43-04.png?1590615802" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="136350"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>ALL GOOD</strong> - Japan has had a 'good' COVID-19 relative to many countries. With a little help from the Bank of Japan, Japanese equities are only 11% below the December peak, despite a ten-year low in corporate earnings and the prospect of much worse in that regard in the coming months. Companies have retained staff, and consumer confidence has fallen less than in other developed economies. Production lines were not shut down, resulting in a GFC-like spike in the inventory ratio. The stable Yen will make it harder for exporters to the developing world to clear the stockpiles. Accordingly, the alphabetic 'shape' of Japan's post-COVID recovery will between "V" and "L" and will be more prolonged.</p><p><strong>SLIM TAILS</strong> - We are now in the slim tail of the earnings 'season' with only seven larger caps reporting yesterday of which just two made forecasts for the current year.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/136/353/original/2020-05-28_07-10-35.png?1590617452" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="136353"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>INTERNAL DEFICIENCIES -</strong> Another 42 companies will announce results today. The largest of these by market cap will be <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/otsuka-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12292:1" rel="noopener">Otsuka (4578 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissan-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:72:1" rel="noopener">Nissan (7201 JP)</a> (finally), and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toray-industries-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:625:1" rel="noopener">Toray (3402 JP)</a>.  Of the companies with a market capitalisation of over ¥1 trillion, only <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/olympus-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:356:1" rel="noopener">Olympus (7733 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba (6502 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7797:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi (6501 JP)</a> remain after which this series of Insights will be brought to close. That these three companies required an extra month to prepare their accounts suggests severe deficiencies in the internal reporting structures of these companies.</p>

Source • Japan AnalyticsALL GOOD - Japan has had a 'good' COVID-19 relative to many countries. With a little help from the Bank of Japan, Japanese equities are only 11% below the December peak, despite a ten-year low in corporate earnings and the prospect of much worse in that regard in the coming months. Companies have retained staff, and consumer confidence has fallen less than in other developed economies. Production lines were not shut down, resulting in a GFC-like spike in the inventory ratio. The stable Yen will make it harder for exporters to the developing world to clear the stockpiles. Accordingly, the alphabetic 'shape' of Japan's post-COVID recovery will between "V" and "L" and will be more prolonged.SLIM TAILS - We are now in the slim tail of the earnings 'season' with only seven larger caps reporting yesterday of which just two made forecasts for the current year.Source • Japan AnalyticsINTERNAL DEFICIENCIES - Another 42 companies will announce results today. The largest of these by market cap will be Otsuka (4578 JP), Nissan (7201 JP) (finally), and Toray (3402 JP).  Of the companies with a market capitalisation of over ¥1 trillion, only Olympus (7733 JP), Toshiba (6502 JP), and Hitachi (6501 JP) remain after which this series of Insights will be brought to close. That these three companies required an extra month to prepare their accounts suggests severe deficiencies in the internal reporting structures of these companies.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 27th May - Recruit, DNP & Dentsu

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/136/061/original/2020-05-27_06-45-23.png?1590529581" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="136061"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p>In the<strong> DETAIL</strong> section below, we shall review Tuesday's announcements:-</p><ul>
<li><p>The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the 44 results announcements was 18:5:21.</p></li>
<li>For the 21 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 5:0:16, and the average Forecast/Revision Score was -12.1. Only 36% of companies reporting full-year results chose to make current year forecasts. </li>
<li>42 companies will announce results today. The largest of these by market cap will be <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dai-nippon-printing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19388:1" rel="noopener">Dai Nippon Printing (7912 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dentsu-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12434:1" rel="noopener">Dentsu (4324 JP)</a>. </li>
</ul>

Source • Japan AnalyticsIn the DETAIL section below, we shall review Tuesday's announcements:-
The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the 44 results announcements was 18:5:21.
For the 21 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 5:0:16, and the average Forecast/Revision Score was -12.1. Only 36% of companies reporting full-year results chose to make current year forecasts. 
42 companies will announce results today. The largest of these by market cap will be Recruit (6098 JP), Dai Nippon Printing (7912 JP), and Dentsu (4324 JP). 


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 26th May - Konica Minolta, Yamaha, DyDo, JAT

Japan

DENTSU INC. mainly provides comprehensive advertising services.  The Company also provides marketing and event planning & promotion services.  Dentsu has associated companies in the US, Europe, and Asia.

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Dentsu Inc (4324 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 13th August - Asics, FUJIFILM, Dentsu, Mitsubishi Shoji

•BEST & WORST 13th AUGUST •The 'best' of yesterday's large-cap announcements came from Rakus (3923 JP), the 'worst' from ASICS Corp (7936 JP). ...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 16th July - The Other Zoom, ISI-D, Adastria

ZOOM (6694 JP)- Micro-cap ZOOM, not to be confused with ZOOM US, although it appears many did just that in June, makes mobile audio recording...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 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

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 27th May - Recruit, DNP & Dentsu

ALL GOOD - Japan has had a 'good' COVID-19 relative to many countries. With a little help from the Bank of Japan, Japanese equities are only 11%...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 26th May - Konica Minolta, Yamaha, DyDo, JAT

In the DETAIL section below, we shall review Tuesday's announcements:- The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the 44 results...

Campbell Gunn

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