Director, Head of Research, Smartkarma

Pranav Rao

Director, Head of Research

Smartkarma

Smartkarma unites the fragmented investment industry, connecting institutional investors, independent research providers, and corporates within a single network.

Research Reinvented

Equity Bottom-Up

Jacobio Pharmaceuticals / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Welcome to Curator’s Cut - a fortnightly roundup of standout themes from the 1,100+ insights shared on Smartkarma.</li>
<li>In this cut, we look at optics as a bottleneck in AI infrastructure, the arguments against Indonesia even with low positioning, and some opportunities within Asian healthcare. </li>
<li>Want to dig deeper? Comment or message with the themes you’d like to see highlighted next.</li>
</ul>


Welcome to Curator’s Cut - a fortnightly roundup of standout themes from the 1,100+ insights shared on Smartkarma.
In this cut, we look at optics as a bottleneck in AI infrastructure, the arguments against Indonesia even with low positioning, and some opportunities within Asian healthcare. 
Want to dig deeper? Comment or message with the themes you’d like to see highlighted next.


Curator's Cut: Seeing the Light in AI, Indonesia at Record Lows & Offbeat Ideas in Asia Healthcare

'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)

<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>• NET GAIN • </strong></div><div><div class="content-caption">
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/590/original/2021-02-19_07-20-52.png?1613686864" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189590"></figure><p></p></section> Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></div><div>
<p><strong>NET GAIN</strong> - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of  Japanese listed companies ended the quarter 23.8%  higher than three months ago - an increase of  ¥5.2 trillion. As a result, the market's forward earnings multiple has declined to 28 times following a 10% increase in total market value (ex REITs). The increase in forecast operating income is a more modest 10.2% reflecting the degree of previously-projected COVID-related extraordinary losses.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/591/original/2021-02-19_07-29-59.png?1613687413" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189591"></figure></section><p><strong>TRAILING TWELVE MONTHS (TTM)</strong> - Trailing revenues and operating profits are still falling by 9.9% and 26.3%, respectively; however, operating income rose by 4.1% quarter-on-quarter as margins improved by 30 basis points. Despite a reasonable effort at cost-cutting, aggregate operating margins are still  228 bps below their mid-2018 peak, and it will take at least another eight quarters for that gap to be closed.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/595/original/2021-02-19_07-38-34.png?1613687927" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189595"></figure></section><p><strong>FORECASTS</strong> - The majority of companies are forecasting for the year ending next month. Despite no change in the aggregate revenue forecast, the outlook for operating income increased by ¥3.7 trillion during the quarter resulting in a 50 bps operating margin uplift. </p>
</div><section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/596/original/2021-02-19_07-40-09.png?1613688021" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189596"></figure><hr></section><p><strong>POSITIVE MOMENTUM</strong> - Both our forward-looking Results Score and Results &amp; Revision Score have returned to the positive after less than one year. Whether this merits a new thirty-year high in TOPIX is, however, a moot point. We would note that the Cabinet Office Leading Indicator of Business Conditions for December turned down for the first time since April 2020.   </p></section><div></div><div>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/597/original/2021-02-19_08-02-24.png?1613689355" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189597"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/694/original/2021-02-19_16-02-06.png?1613718138" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189694"></figure><hr></section><p><strong>SECTOR BREAKDOWN</strong> - The leading sectors in terms of one-month change in Results &amp; Revision Score are <strong>Other Commercial Products</strong>, <strong>Autos</strong>,<strong> Other Consumer Products</strong>, <strong>Metals</strong>, and <strong>Building Materials.</strong> The RRS 'losers' are <strong>Utilities</strong>, <strong>Internet Content &amp; Services</strong>, <strong>Food, Beverages &amp; Tobacco,</strong><strong>Retail</strong>, and <strong>Healthcare</strong>.  </p>
</div><div>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/700/original/2021-02-19_16-05-32.png?1613718344" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189700"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/701/original/2021-02-19_16-06-12.png?1613718383" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189701"></figure></section><hr>
</div><section></section><div><div>
<p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we shall review the actual results and initial and revised forecasts by Sector and highlight the best and worst-performing companies by one-quarter revenue and margin changes.</p>
<hr>
<p></p>
</div></div>

• NET GAIN • 
 Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics
NET GAIN - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of  Japanese listed companies ended the quarter 23.8%  higher than three months ago - an increase of  ¥5.2 trillion. As a result, the market's forward earnings multiple has declined to 28 times following a 10% increase in total market value (ex REITs). The increase in forecast operating income is a more modest 10.2% reflecting the degree of previously-projected COVID-related extraordinary losses.
TRAILING TWELVE MONTHS (TTM) - Trailing revenues and operating profits are still falling by 9.9% and 26.3%, respectively; however, operating income rose by 4.1% quarter-on-quarter as margins improved by 30 basis points. Despite a reasonable effort at cost-cutting, aggregate operating margins are still  228 bps below their mid-2018 peak, and it will take at least another eight quarters for that gap to be closed.
FORECASTS - The majority of companies are forecasting for the year ending next month. Despite no change in the aggregate revenue forecast, the outlook for operating income increased by ¥3.7 trillion during the quarter resulting in a 50 bps operating margin uplift. 
POSITIVE MOMENTUM - Both our forward-looking Results Score and Results &amp; Revision Score have returned to the positive after less than one year. Whether this merits a new thirty-year high in TOPIX is, however, a moot point. We would note that the Cabinet Office Leading Indicator of Business Conditions for December turned down for the first time since April 2020.   
SECTOR BREAKDOWN - The leading sectors in terms of one-month change in Results &amp; Revision Score are Other Commercial Products, Autos, Other Consumer Products, Metals, and Building Materials. The RRS 'losers' are Utilities, Internet Content &amp; Services, Food, Beverages &amp; Tobacco,Retail, and Healthcare.  



In the DETAIL section below, we shall review the actual results and initial and revised forecasts by Sector and highlight the best and worst-performing companies by one-quarter revenue and margin changes.




🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Winter 2020 Results & Revisions Review

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 analysed the earning revision of component stocks of MS-Japan in the past month.</li>
<li>We tabulated stocks with the top impact on index's EPS, stocks' EPS revision, and revenue revision.</li>
<li>We highlighted EPS revision on Nissan Motor, Sony Financial, Mitsui Mining &amp; Smelting, Resonac, Orix, Rakuten, Kioxia.</li>
</ul>


We analysed the earning revision of component stocks of MS-Japan in the past month.
We tabulated stocks with the top impact on index's EPS, stocks' EPS revision, and revenue revision.
We highlighted EPS revision on Nissan Motor, Sony Financial, Mitsui Mining &amp; Smelting, Resonac, Orix, Rakuten, Kioxia.


MS-Japan Index Earning Revision (Jun): Nissan Motor, Sony Financial, Mitsui Mining & Smelting, Orix

<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

Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>MSCI Japan June 2026 added 3 stocks and deleted 14. With the first implementation week complete, we review current-cycle performance vs history.</li>
<li>ADDs gave back after a positive bridge. All 3 ADDs fell in WI0-4, with aggregate return of -9.0% vs the historical ADD mean of -2.9%.</li>
<li>DELETEs rose +3.4% in WI0-4, the strongest first-week result in the study history. Low-velocity DELETEs also rose, returning +2.6% across 4 names with data.</li>
</ul>


MSCI Japan June 2026 added 3 stocks and deleted 14. With the first implementation week complete, we review current-cycle performance vs history.
ADDs gave back after a positive bridge. All 3 ADDs fell in WI0-4, with aggregate return of -9.0% vs the historical ADD mean of -2.9%.
DELETEs rose +3.4% in WI0-4, the strongest first-week result in the study history. Low-velocity DELETEs also rose, returning +2.6% across 4 names with data.


MS-Japan June 2026 Rebalance: Post-Implementation Review

Japan

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. manufactures wires, cables, and metal products. The Company holds patents in optical fiber coating technology and produces optical fiber cables in the United States.  Furukawa Electric's metal products include aluminum cans, air conditioner parts, and shape memory alloys.

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

Furukawa Electric (5801 JP)

Curator's Cut: Seeing the Light in AI, Indonesia at Record Lows & Offbeat Ideas in Asia Healthcare

Discover standout themes in AI infrastructure, Indonesia's challenges, and Asian healthcare opportunities in this Curator's Cut issue. Share your...

Pranav Rao

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Winter 2020 Results & Revisions Review

NET GAIN - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter 23.8% higher than three months ago - an...

Campbell Gunn

MS-Japan Index Earning Revision (Jun): Nissan Motor, Sony Financial, Mitsui Mining & Smelting, Orix

We analyzed MS-Japan's consensus for Jun 2026 and highlighted changes of EPS in Nissan Motor, Sony Financial, Mitsui Mining & Smelting, Resonac,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

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

MS-Japan June 2026 Rebalance: Post-Implementation Review

MSCI Japan June 2026 rebalance has passed the first post-implementation week. We review what worked, what did not, and how current results compare...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Curator's Cut: Seeing the Light in AI, Indonesia at Record Lows & Offbeat Ideas in Asia Healthcare

​Discover standout themes in AI infrastructure, Indonesia's challenges, and Asian healthcare opportunities in this Curator's Cut issue. Share your...

Pranav Rao

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Winter 2020 Results & Revisions Review

NET GAIN - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter 23.8% higher than three months ago - an...

Campbell Gunn

MS-Japan Index Earning Revision (Jun): Nissan Motor, Sony Financial, Mitsui Mining & Smelting, Orix

We analyzed MS-Japan's consensus for Jun 2026 and highlighted changes of EPS in Nissan Motor, Sony Financial, Mitsui Mining & Smelting, Resonac,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

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

MS-Japan June 2026 Rebalance: Post-Implementation Review

MSCI Japan June 2026 rebalance has passed the first post-implementation week. We review what worked, what did not, and how current results compare...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Discover standout themes in AI infrastructure, Indonesia's challenges, and Asian healthcare opportunities in this Curator's Cut issue. Share your...