Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Tension between China and Japan look set to rise further with talks failing to ease frictions.</li>
<li>Travel names remain vulnerable despite Govt. run tour groups having less clout than they used to.</li>
<li>Medtech may do better on defensive bid and Medtronic, but Sysmex continues to slide.</li>
</ul>


Tension between China and Japan look set to rise further with talks failing to ease frictions.
Travel names remain vulnerable despite Govt. run tour groups having less clout than they used to.
Medtech may do better on defensive bid and Medtronic, but Sysmex continues to slide.


Japan Morning Connection: More AI and Tech Pain Ahead of NVDA Tomorrow

Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

Giant Network Group Co Ltd / Technical Analysis

<ul>
<li>We remain near-term bullish since our 4/22/25 Compass, and our intermediate-term outlook remains bullish as well (as of our 5/14/25 Compass), with Int’l Compass reports all echoing this sentiment.</li>
<li>We will maintain our bullish intermediate-term view as long as market dynamics remain healthy and the SPX and ACWI-US are above 6028-6059 and $119-$121.</li>
<li>We remain overweight/continue to have a major focus on China (Shanghai Composite). It continues to offer the most attractive opportunities, with a significant number of today's recommendations coming from China.</li>
</ul>


We remain near-term bullish since our 4/22/25 Compass, and our intermediate-term outlook remains bullish as well (as of our 5/14/25 Compass), with Int’l Compass reports all echoing this sentiment.
We will maintain our bullish intermediate-term view as long as market dynamics remain healthy and the SPX and ACWI-US are above 6028-6059 and $119-$121.
We remain overweight/continue to have a major focus on China (Shanghai Composite). It continues to offer the most attractive opportunities, with a significant number of today's recommendations coming from China.


Sticking With China; Bullish Outlook Intact. Buys in Consumer Discretionary, Materials, and Tech

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

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.

<ul>
<li>The food and beverage sector stands out for its aggressive dual approach—raising prices while driving internal efficiencies—which could position it for earnings outperformance if input cost inflation stabilizes.</li>
<li>Alcoholic beverage makers are facing near-term consumption risks post-price hikes. Yet they are pursuing structural cost improvements to safeguard margins.</li>
<li>Department store operators are balancing strong recent performance and structural transformation with near-term headwinds from remodeling and softer inbound trends.</li>
</ul>


The food and beverage sector stands out for its aggressive dual approach—raising prices while driving internal efficiencies—which could position it for earnings outperformance if input cost inflation stabilizes.
Alcoholic beverage makers are facing near-term consumption risks post-price hikes. Yet they are pursuing structural cost improvements to safeguard margins.
Department store operators are balancing strong recent performance and structural transformation with near-term headwinds from remodeling and softer inbound trends.


Japan Consumer Sector Update: Q4 FY2025 Wrap-Up and FY2026 Outlook

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

<ul>
<li>The number of new mall developments in 2024 in Japan held steady but will collapse in 2025 due to higher costs, lower demand and a lack of labour.</li>
<li>At the same time, for existing malls, sales were robust through 2023 and 2024 and look set to continue at higher levels despite consumer restraint.</li>
<li>Both locals and tourists alike use malls for leisure, entertainment and shopping and, as the number of malls falls, and upgrades continue, efficiency is improving.</li>
</ul>


The number of new mall developments in 2024 in Japan held steady but will collapse in 2025 due to higher costs, lower demand and a lack of labour.
At the same time, for existing malls, sales were robust through 2023 and 2024 and look set to continue at higher levels despite consumer restraint.
Both locals and tourists alike use malls for leisure, entertainment and shopping and, as the number of malls falls, and upgrades continue, efficiency is improving.


Japan Shopping Mall Sector in 2025: Robust Sales, Fewer Doors

<ul>
<li>That department stores in city centres did well in 2024 won’t be a surprise to anyone given the support from inbound tourists buying luxury goods on a cheap Yen.</li>
<li>But that the sector overall managed to exceed 2019 sales is an achievement given the ongoing contraction in the regions.</li>
<li>The gap is widening further between the best and the rest but the top firms look set to continue increasing profits as they work to add value to existing buildings.</li>
</ul>


That department stores in city centres did well in 2024 won’t be a surprise to anyone given the support from inbound tourists buying luxury goods on a cheap Yen.
But that the sector overall managed to exceed 2019 sales is an achievement given the ongoing contraction in the regions.
The gap is widening further between the best and the rest but the top firms look set to continue increasing profits as they work to add value to existing buildings.


Department Store Sales Higher than Pre-Covid

Japan

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. is a holding company established through a merger of Mitsukoshi and Isetan. The group operates department stores nationwide, selling clothing, foods, household goods, cosmetics and general merchandise.

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Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd (3099 JP)

Japan Morning Connection: More AI and Tech Pain Ahead of NVDA Tomorrow

Some big moves down for SPE and AI related. Diplomatic tensions continue between Japan and China. JP Medtech names may get a lift from Medtronic's...

Andrew Jackson

Sticking With China; Bullish Outlook Intact. Buys in Consumer Discretionary, Materials, and Tech

Still Bullish. China (Shanghai Composite) has been a major focus ever since our July 3 Int'l Compass titled "China and Japan Breaking Out." It...

Vermilion Research

Japan Consumer Sector Update: Q4 FY2025 Wrap-Up and FY2026 Outlook

Food and beverage sector raising prices and driving efficiencies for potential earnings outperformance, while alcoholic beverage makers face...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Japan Shopping Mall Sector in 2025: Robust Sales, Fewer Doors

New mall developments in Japan to collapse in 2025 due to higher costs, lower demand, and lack of labor, while existing malls see robust sales and...

Michael Causton

Department Store Sales Higher than Pre-Covid

City center department stores thrived in 2024 thanks to tourist spending, while the sector as a whole surpassed 2019 sales despite regional...

Michael Causton

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japan Morning Connection: More AI and Tech Pain Ahead of NVDA Tomorrow

Some big moves down for SPE and AI related. Diplomatic tensions continue between Japan and China. JP Medtech names may get a lift from Medtronic's...

Andrew Jackson

Sticking With China; Bullish Outlook Intact. Buys in Consumer Discretionary, Materials, and Tech

Still Bullish. China (Shanghai Composite) has been a major focus ever since our July 3 Int'l Compass titled "China and Japan Breaking Out." It...

Vermilion Research

Japan Consumer Sector Update: Q4 FY2025 Wrap-Up and FY2026 Outlook

​Food and beverage sector raising prices and driving efficiencies for potential earnings outperformance, while alcoholic beverage makers face...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Japan Shopping Mall Sector in 2025: Robust Sales, Fewer Doors

​New mall developments in Japan to collapse in 2025 due to higher costs, lower demand, and lack of labor, while existing malls see robust sales and...

Michael Causton

Department Store Sales Higher than Pre-Covid

​City center department stores thrived in 2024 thanks to tourist spending, while the sector as a whole surpassed 2019 sales despite regional...

Michael Causton

Food and beverage sector raising prices and driving efficiencies for potential earnings outperformance, while alcoholic beverage makers face...

New mall developments in Japan to collapse in 2025 due to higher costs, lower demand, and lack of labor, while existing malls see robust sales and...

City center department stores thrived in 2024 thanks to tourist spending, while the sector as a whole surpassed 2019 sales despite regional...