Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>AI and tech took a backseat, although momentum significantly outperformed value which is likely to be reflected in JP.</li>
<li>Trend Micro may be in focus after analyst pushes cyber security as biggest tech trade this year.</li>
<li>KHI looking to release its own humanoid, but Harmonic joints are out of favor and worth another look after steep decline.</li>
</ul>


AI and tech took a backseat, although momentum significantly outperformed value which is likely to be reflected in JP.
Trend Micro may be in focus after analyst pushes cyber security as biggest tech trade this year.
KHI looking to release its own humanoid, but Harmonic joints are out of favor and worth another look after steep decline.


Japan Morning Connection: Oil Down and Defense up as Trump Rails at Putin and Sends More Patriots

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Kokusai Electric  / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>KKR is looking to raise approximately US$620m through an accelerated secondary offering for around 13% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kokusai-electric-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40152:1" rel="noopener">Kokusai Electric (6525 JP)</a>'s (KE) stock.</li>
<li>KKR had sold in the IPO and undertaken an extended selldown in July 2024 as well. Hence, this deal is somewhat well flagged.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the placement and run the deal through our ECM framework.</li>
</ul>


KKR is looking to raise approximately US$620m through an accelerated secondary offering for around 13% of Kokusai Electric (6525 JP)'s (KE) stock.
KKR had sold in the IPO and undertaken an extended selldown in July 2024 as well. Hence, this deal is somewhat well flagged.
In this note, we will talk about the placement and run the deal through our ECM framework.


Kokusai Electric Placement - Well Flagged but past Deal Didn’t Do Well

Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR / Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR

<ul>
<li>Japan’s <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujitsu-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16968:1" rel="noopener">Fujitsu Ltd (6702 JP)</a> is currently developing a 2nm CPU named “MONAKA” (link). The CPU is planned to be manufactured by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-sp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8587:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)</a>.  </li>
<li>Rapidus has to deal with high technical barriers, tight timelines, heavy R&amp;D costs, market and profitability challenges.</li>
<li>Talent shortage in Japan: A lingering pain for the Semiconductor industry</li>
</ul>


Japan’s Fujitsu Ltd (6702 JP) is currently developing a 2nm CPU named “MONAKA” (link). The CPU is planned to be manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US).  
Rapidus has to deal with high technical barriers, tight timelines, heavy R&amp;D costs, market and profitability challenges.
Talent shortage in Japan: A lingering pain for the Semiconductor industry


TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Will Rapidus Threaten TSMC's 2nm Market? We Think It's Too Early to Say (II)

Equity Analyst - Fundamental & Thematic, Sree Capital

Sreemant Dudhoria,CFA

Equity Analyst - Fundamental & Thematic

Fundamental Research on Listed Indian Companies

Sree Capital

Sree Capital is a platform to share fundamental research on listed Indian companies. We do this research for our own investment

<ul>
<li>
Cross-Holding Overhang Easing:<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/denso-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18703:1" rel="noopener">Denso Corp (6902 JP)</a> accelerates exit from Toyota Industries stake via tender offer, unlocking capital and aligning with capital efficiency and governance reforms.</li>
<li>
Profitability Set to Improve: FY2026 profit outlook strong, driven by reduced quality-related costs, better operating leverage, and ongoing cost controls post fuel pump recall.</li>
<li>
Valuation Comfort with Growth Drivers: Stock trades below historical average P/E; SDV, electrification, and semiconductor focus positions Denso well for re-rating amid sector tailwinds.</li>
</ul>



Cross-Holding Overhang Easing:Denso Corp (6902 JP) accelerates exit from Toyota Industries stake via tender offer, unlocking capital and aligning with capital efficiency and governance reforms.

Profitability Set to Improve: FY2026 profit outlook strong, driven by reduced quality-related costs, better operating leverage, and ongoing cost controls post fuel pump recall.

Valuation Comfort with Growth Drivers: Stock trades below historical average P/E; SDV, electrification, and semiconductor focus positions Denso well for re-rating amid sector tailwinds.


Denso Corp(6902 JP)–Value Zone, Upgraded Growth Outlook, Sooner Resolution of Cross-Holding Overhang

<ul>
<li>A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$380m via selling around 4% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/isuzu-motors-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14726:1" rel="noopener">Isuzu Motors (7202 JP).</a>
</li>
<li>Being another cross-shareholding unwind in Japan, it shouldn’t carry much negative connotations, in our view.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the placement and run the deal through our ECM framework.</li>
</ul>


A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$380m via selling around 4% of Isuzu Motors (7202 JP).

Being another cross-shareholding unwind in Japan, it shouldn’t carry much negative connotations, in our view.
In this note, we will talk about the placement and run the deal through our ECM framework.


Isuzu Motors Placement - Relatively Small Deal Along with Buyback

Japan

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures, and distributes motorcycles, automobiles, and power products such as generators and farm machinery. The Company also operates a financial credit business. Honda Motor has manufacturing facilities in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, India, and Thailand.

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Honda Motor (7267 JP)

Japan Morning Connection: Oil Down and Defense up as Trump Rails at Putin and Sends More Patriots

JP autos look ripe for a squeeze if better than expected tarrif outcome. Musk convinced by his humanoid robots despite setbacks. JP heavies should...

Andrew Jackson

Kokusai Electric Placement - Well Flagged but past Deal Didn’t Do Well

KKR is looking to raise approximately US$620m through an accelerated secondary offering for around 13% of Kokusai Electric (6525 JP)'s (KE) stock.

Sumeet Singh

TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Will Rapidus Threaten TSMC's 2nm Market? We Think It's Too Early to Say (II)

Fujitsu developing 2nm CPU "MONAKA" with TSMC. Rapidus is facing technical barriers, talent shortage in Japan's Semiconductor industry.

Patrick Liao

Denso Corp(6902 JP)–Value Zone, Upgraded Growth Outlook, Sooner Resolution of Cross-Holding Overhang

Denso Corp accelerates exit from Toyota Industries stake, improving profitability and positioning for re-rating. Stock is trades below historical...

Sreemant Dudhoria,CFA

Isuzu Motors Placement - Relatively Small Deal Along with Buyback

A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$380m via selling around 4% of Isuzu Motors (7202 JP). In this note, we talk about the deal dynamics.

Sumeet Singh

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Japan Morning Connection: Oil Down and Defense up as Trump Rails at Putin and Sends More Patriots

JP autos look ripe for a squeeze if better than expected tarrif outcome. Musk convinced by his humanoid robots despite setbacks. JP heavies should...

Andrew Jackson

Kokusai Electric Placement - Well Flagged but past Deal Didn’t Do Well

KKR is looking to raise approximately US$620m through an accelerated secondary offering for around 13% of Kokusai Electric (6525 JP)'s (KE) stock.

Sumeet Singh

TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Will Rapidus Threaten TSMC's 2nm Market? We Think It's Too Early to Say (II)

​Fujitsu developing 2nm CPU "MONAKA" with TSMC. Rapidus is facing technical barriers, talent shortage in Japan's Semiconductor industry.

Patrick Liao

Denso Corp(6902 JP)–Value Zone, Upgraded Growth Outlook, Sooner Resolution of Cross-Holding Overhang

​Denso Corp accelerates exit from Toyota Industries stake, improving profitability and positioning for re-rating. Stock is trades below historical...

Sreemant Dudhoria,CFA

Isuzu Motors Placement - Relatively Small Deal Along with Buyback

A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$380m via selling around 4% of Isuzu Motors (7202 JP). In this note, we talk about the deal dynamics.

Sumeet Singh

Fujitsu developing 2nm CPU "MONAKA" with TSMC. Rapidus is facing technical barriers, talent shortage in Japan's Semiconductor industry.

Denso Corp accelerates exit from Toyota Industries stake, improving profitability and positioning for re-rating. Stock is trades below historical...