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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>We spoke to Hoya following its earnings to understand the trends in their various businesses. Details on the EUV business were positive but one of the more interesting points was regarding developments in the endoscope business.</p>

We spoke to Hoya following its earnings to understand the trends in their various businesses. Details on the EUV business were positive but one of the more interesting points was regarding developments in the endoscope business.

Hoya – Conf Call Points to Positives for EUV and Negatives for Olympus’ Endoscope Business

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

<ul>
<li>Hoya has an impressive business model that results in high Returns on Invested Capital</li>
<li>Hoya reported strong Q4 results but there is little for investors to get excited about in the outlook</li>
<li>We see a lack of catalysts and an expensive valuation as working against the stock in the short term</li>
</ul>


Hoya has an impressive business model that results in high Returns on Invested Capital
Hoya reported strong Q4 results but there is little for investors to get excited about in the outlook
We see a lack of catalysts and an expensive valuation as working against the stock in the short term


Hoya (7741) | A Visionary Company with a Blurry Future

<ul>
<li>In 2020 and 2021 we had nine conviction calls, four of which returned over 50% within just over a year.</li>
<li>Three more returned close to 40%, one returned 15% and just one was an abject failure returning -39%. </li>
<li>On average, alpha generation was 24.3% and our 2022 names are off to a good start putting up 14.7% in alpha in just over a month and a half.</li>
</ul>


In 2020 and 2021 we had nine conviction calls, four of which returned over 50% within just over a year.
Three more returned close to 40%, one returned 15% and just one was an abject failure returning -39%. 
On average, alpha generation was 24.3% and our 2022 names are off to a good start putting up 14.7% in alpha in just over a month and a half.


A Belated Look Back at Our 2020 and 2021 Conviction Calls and a Look Ahead to 2022

Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/olympus-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:356:1" rel="noopener">Olympus Corp (7733 JP)</a> is the global market leader in gastrointestinal endoscopic equipment, with 70%+ share. Global GI endoscopic equipment market is expected to have a CAGR of 4–6% during FY21–24. Olympus is expected to outpace the market due to its dominant positioning in Asia market and superior imaging technologies. The company is one of the early entrants in fast growing Asia markets among its peers. Consequently, Olympus witnessed 4.2x jump in medical business revenue from China in the last decade. Last year, Olympus has launched its most advanced endoscopy system to date, EVIS X1, the first new model in about eight years (vs usual product life cycle of 5–6 years). The company estimates 70,000 units potential only for replacing the previous models by EVIS X1. Olympus is transforming itself to become a pure-play global medical devices company and conducted several M&amp;A to augment its medium-term growth. Its medical business is now back to pre-pandemic level. Concerns regarding China business seems to be over and Olympus shares are trading near its highs. Despite some risk due to global semiconductor shortage, we are bullish on the growth potential of the company’s medical business due to ongoing recovery in elective procedures and new product launch. </p>

Olympus Corp (7733 JP) is the global market leader in gastrointestinal endoscopic equipment, with 70%+ share. Global GI endoscopic equipment market is expected to have a CAGR of 4–6% during FY21–24. Olympus is expected to outpace the market due to its dominant positioning in Asia market and superior imaging technologies. The company is one of the early entrants in fast growing Asia markets among its peers. Consequently, Olympus witnessed 4.2x jump in medical business revenue from China in the last decade. Last year, Olympus has launched its most advanced endoscopy system to date, EVIS X1, the first new model in about eight years (vs usual product life cycle of 5–6 years). The company estimates 70,000 units potential only for replacing the previous models by EVIS X1. Olympus is transforming itself to become a pure-play global medical devices company and conducted several M&amp;A to augment its medium-term growth. Its medical business is now back to pre-pandemic level. Concerns regarding China business seems to be over and Olympus shares are trading near its highs. Despite some risk due to global semiconductor shortage, we are bullish on the growth potential of the company’s medical business due to ongoing recovery in elective procedures and new product launch. 

Olympus (7733 JP): Medical Business Is on a Strong Foothold; Buy at Current Level

<ul>
<li>On December 26, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nihon-kohden-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7668:1" rel="noopener">Nihon Kohden (6849 JP)</a> shares jumped ~15% as the company was a beneficiary of the ban on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apple-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:666:1" rel="noopener">Apple (AAPL US)</a>’s latest smartwatch models.</li>
<li>Nihon Kohden reported better-than-expected result in H1FY24. The company raised FY24 revenue forecast to ¥221.5B (+7% YoY) from ¥215.0B. The company has also raised FY24 operating and net profit guidance.</li>
<li>Currently consensus expects 2% YoY revenue growth for the company in FY25. With strong demand for existing products and new launches, the expectation seems to be conservative.  </li>
</ul>


On December 26, Nihon Kohden (6849 JP) shares jumped ~15% as the company was a beneficiary of the ban on Apple (AAPL US)’s latest smartwatch models.
Nihon Kohden reported better-than-expected result in H1FY24. The company raised FY24 revenue forecast to ¥221.5B (+7% YoY) from ¥215.0B. The company has also raised FY24 operating and net profit guidance.
Currently consensus expects 2% YoY revenue growth for the company in FY25. With strong demand for existing products and new launches, the expectation seems to be conservative.  


Nihon Kohden (6849 JP): Apart from Apple Smartwatch Ban, Three More Reasons to Buy Shares

Japan

Hoya Corp manufactures electro-optics products such as mask blanks for semiconductors, photomasks for LCD panels, optical glasses, glass memory disks for HDDs, medical flexible endoscopes, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. The Company also provides information system architecture.

Hoya Corp (7741 JP)

Hoya – Conf Call Points to Positives for EUV and Negatives for Olympus’ Endoscope Business

We spoke to Hoya following its earnings and while details on the EUV business were positive the most interesting takeaway was regarding...

Mio Kato

Hoya (7741) | A Visionary Company with a Blurry Future

We like Hoya long-term, but see a lack of catalysts and an expensive valuation as working against the stock in the short-term

Mark Chadwick

A Belated Look Back at Our 2020 and 2021 Conviction Calls and a Look Ahead to 2022

We take a look back at our conviction calls from 2020 and 2021 to assess performance and put the strong start to our 2022 names in context.

Mio Kato

Olympus (7733 JP): Medical Business Is on a Strong Foothold; Buy at Current Level

Olympus is well-positioned for double-digit revenue growth this fiscal driven by earlier-than-expected recovery in medical business and new product...

Tina Banerjee

Nihon Kohden (6849 JP): Apart from Apple Smartwatch Ban, Three More Reasons to Buy Shares

Nihon Kohden reported strong H1FY24 results and raised its revenue and profit forecasts for FY24. The company has strong product line-up for the...

Tina Banerjee

Hoya – Conf Call Points to Positives for EUV and Negatives for Olympus’ Endoscope Business

We spoke to Hoya following its earnings and while details on the EUV business were positive the most interesting takeaway was regarding...

Mio Kato

Hoya (7741) | A Visionary Company with a Blurry Future

We like Hoya long-term, but see a lack of catalysts and an expensive valuation as working against the stock in the short-term

Mark Chadwick

A Belated Look Back at Our 2020 and 2021 Conviction Calls and a Look Ahead to 2022

We take a look back at our conviction calls from 2020 and 2021 to assess performance and put the strong start to our 2022 names in context.

Mio Kato

Olympus (7733 JP): Medical Business Is on a Strong Foothold; Buy at Current Level

Olympus is well-positioned for double-digit revenue growth this fiscal driven by earlier-than-expected recovery in medical business and new product...

Tina Banerjee

Nihon Kohden (6849 JP): Apart from Apple Smartwatch Ban, Three More Reasons to Buy Shares

​Nihon Kohden reported strong H1FY24 results and raised its revenue and profit forecasts for FY24. The company has strong product line-up for the...

Tina Banerjee

Nihon Kohden reported strong H1FY24 results and raised its revenue and profit forecasts for FY24. The company has strong product line-up for the...