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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>After a lengthy period of weakness which saw shares decline more than 62% to ¥1,812 per share by June 2020, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-tobacco-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13498:1" rel="noopener">Japan Tobacco (2914 JP)</a> seems to have turned a corner with the share price trending upwards (for a considerable period) for the first time in a 5-6 year time period.</li>
<li>JT’s valuation looks cheap and we think that there is potential for multiple expansion alongside a dividend hike and strong OP performance in the second half of the year.</li>
</ul>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/223/975/original/image_96854996521629110963958.png?1629110966" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="223975"></figure>


After a lengthy period of weakness which saw shares decline more than 62% to ¥1,812 per share by June 2020, Japan Tobacco (2914 JP) seems to have turned a corner with the share price trending upwards (for a considerable period) for the first time in a 5-6 year time period.
JT’s valuation looks cheap and we think that there is potential for multiple expansion alongside a dividend hike and strong OP performance in the second half of the year.



Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-healthcare-and-technology-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27008:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (1833 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhongsheng-group-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10573:1" rel="noopener">Zhongsheng Group (881 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aac-technologies-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6544:1" rel="noopener">AAC Technologies Holdings (2018 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in the Consumer Discretionary, Health Care, Materials and Real Estate sectors, and decreased in the Information Technology, Financials and Consumer Staples sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asahi-kasei-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19771:1" rel="noopener">Asahi Kasei (3407 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/olympus-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:356:1" rel="noopener">Olympus Corp (7733 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monex-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14211:1" rel="noopener">Monex Group Inc (8698 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orix-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9936:1" rel="noopener">Orix Corp (8591 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-telegraph-telephone-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:623:1" rel="noopener">NTT (Nippon Telegraph &amp; Telephone) (9432 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimano-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3777:1" rel="noopener">Shimano Inc (7309 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-tobacco-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13498:1" rel="noopener">Japan Tobacco (2914 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in the Industrials, Materials and Health Care sectors, and decreased in the Communication Services, Financials and Consumer Staples sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a> during the week. This was the first week where short increased substantially in Korea and comes a week ahead of the end of the short sell ban.</p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-steel-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:962:1" rel="noopener">China Steel (2002 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-airlines-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4591:1" rel="noopener">China Airlines (2610 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6450:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-cement" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19736:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Cement (1101 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/innolux-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4509:1" rel="noopener">Innolux Corp (3481 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/genius-electronic-optical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9632:1" rel="noopener">Genius Electronic Optical (3406 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/delta-electronics-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12688:1" rel="noopener">Delta Electronics (2308 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pegatron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12852:1" rel="noopener">Pegatron Corp (4938 TT)</a>.</p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Meituan (3690 HK), Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK), Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (1833 HK) and Alibaba Group (9988 HK) while there was short covering on Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Zhongsheng Group (881 HK), AAC Technologies Holdings (2018 HK) and Tencent Holdings (700 HK). Shorts increased in the Consumer Discretionary, Health Care, Materials and Real Estate sectors, and decreased in the Information Technology, Financials and Consumer Staples sectors.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Toshiba Corp (6502 JP), Asahi Kasei (3407 JP), Olympus Corp (7733 JP) and Monex Group Inc (8698 JP) while shorts decreased on Orix Corp (8591 JP), NTT (Nippon Telegraph &amp; Telephone) (9432 JP), Shimano Inc (7309 JP) and Japan Tobacco (2914 JP). Shorts increased in the Industrials, Materials and Health Care sectors, and decreased in the Communication Services, Financials and Consumer Staples sectors.In Korea, shorts increased on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), Celltrion Inc (068270 KS), Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS) and SK Hynix (000660 KS) during the week. This was the first week where short increased substantially in Korea and comes a week ahead of the end of the short sell ban.Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were China Steel (2002 TT), China Airlines (2610 TT), United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT) and Taiwan Cement (1101 TT) while shorts were covered on Innolux Corp (3481 TT), Genius Electronic Optical (3406 TT), Delta Electronics (2308 TT) and Pegatron Corp (4938 TT).

Asia Shorts: Meituan, Kuaishou, Zhongsheng, Toshiba, Monex, Orix, Samsung, HMC, China Steel, Innolux

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS SUMMARY - 9th FEBRUARY •</strong></p></div><div><p>Of yesterday's 246 results announcements, 70% scored positively for earnings momentum despite trailing revenues falling by 7.3% on average and a 1.7 point decline in operating margins. 14% of companies were in the red for the quarter.  75% of the 119 annual forecasts/revision announcements scored positively, and the average Forecast/Revision score was +5.0 points.</p></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p></div><p>Tuesday's 'best' larger-cap announcements came from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimano-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3777:1" rel="noopener">Shimano (7309 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/honda-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:154:1" rel="noopener">Honda Motor (7267 JP)</a>; the 'worst' were from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-tobacco-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13498:1" rel="noopener">Japan Tobacco (2914 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nexon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16032:1" rel="noopener">Nexon (3659 JP)</a>.  For more, see the<strong> DETAIL</strong> section below.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/187/836/original/2021-02-10_06-35-27.png?1612906548" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="187836"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/187/837/original/2021-02-10_06-37-11.png?1612906645" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="187837"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/187/838/original/2021-02-10_06-37-54.png?1612906686" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="187838"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/187/839/original/2021-02-10_06-38-45.png?1612906738" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="187839"></figure></section><div class="content-caption">   Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>

• RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS SUMMARY - 9th FEBRUARY •Of yesterday's 246 results announcements, 70% scored positively for earnings momentum despite trailing revenues falling by 7.3% on average and a 1.7 point decline in operating margins. 14% of companies were in the red for the quarter.  75% of the 119 annual forecasts/revision announcements scored positively, and the average Forecast/Revision score was +5.0 points.• BEST &amp; WORST •Tuesday's 'best' larger-cap announcements came from Shimano (7309 JP) and Honda Motor (7267 JP); the 'worst' were from Japan Tobacco (2914 JP) and Nexon (3659 JP).  For more, see the DETAIL section below.   Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Update 02/09 - Shimano, Honda, Japan Tobacco

Global Special Situations & Strategy, SR Services Ltd

David Lepper

Global Special Situations & Strategy

SR Services Ltd

SR Services provides Strategic Knowledge and Solutions services for Family Offices and Corporate Business. 

We deliver this via advisory services, strategic planning, opportunity analysis/sourcing, as well as solution implementation. 

Whilst, we create intellectual discipline and operational leverage for your projects or daily activities, our ultimate objective is to empower whilst enhancing your decision making. 

Strategic Knowledge and Solutions

Cross Asset Strategy

<p>Growth as a style has been the “norm” for years, is the “norm” about to end? The continued strategies by Central Bank’s towards a “<em>lower for longer stance around interest rates</em>”, extended the underperformance of value for most of 2020. However, with the value/growth investment style ratio at 20-year lows, we present 27 names which hold characteristics worthy of further review. </p>

Growth as a style has been the “norm” for years, is the “norm” about to end? The continued strategies by Central Bank’s towards a “lower for longer stance around interest rates”, extended the underperformance of value for most of 2020. However, with the value/growth investment style ratio at 20-year lows, we present 27 names which hold characteristics worthy of further review. 

Screening the Silk Road: Q1 2021 All Cap Screening - Free Cashflow (FCF)

Equity Capital Markets

RLX Technology Inc / Equity Capital Markets

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rlx-technology-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31113:1" rel="noopener">RLX Technology Inc (RLX US)</a>, China’s number one branded e-vapor company with a market share of 62.6% of the closed-system e-vapor products, has announced its indicative pricing range at $8-10 per ADS which implies an EV between $11.4-14.3bn.</p><p>At the top end of the IPO price range, our 2022 revenue estimate of $867.7m (Revenue CAGR of 56% through 2019-22) places RLX on 16.5x 2022 EV/Sales. With revenue growth of 93% YoY in 9M20, domestic market share of 62.6% and an overseas footprint in 100 countries by the end of 2020, we believe our revenue estimate is quite reasonable.</p><p>E-vapor OEM, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smoore-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28241:1" rel="noopener">Smoore International (6969 HK)</a>, whose 2019-22 revenue CAGR is 35% is currently trading at 2022 EV/Sales of 19.0x, 15% above RLX’s 2022 EV/Sales multiple. Therefore, RLX’s 16.5x 2022 EV/Sales multiple does not seem so unreasonable, especially considering the current behavior of capital markets.</p><p>The IPO valuation looks attractive and possibly have a decent upside in the short term. However, there are some significant risks associated with investing in RLX which investors need to be aware of before deciding to subscribe to the IPO.</p>

RLX Technology Inc (RLX US), China’s number one branded e-vapor company with a market share of 62.6% of the closed-system e-vapor products, has announced its indicative pricing range at $8-10 per ADS which implies an EV between $11.4-14.3bn.At the top end of the IPO price range, our 2022 revenue estimate of $867.7m (Revenue CAGR of 56% through 2019-22) places RLX on 16.5x 2022 EV/Sales. With revenue growth of 93% YoY in 9M20, domestic market share of 62.6% and an overseas footprint in 100 countries by the end of 2020, we believe our revenue estimate is quite reasonable.E-vapor OEM, Smoore International (6969 HK), whose 2019-22 revenue CAGR is 35% is currently trading at 2022 EV/Sales of 19.0x, 15% above RLX’s 2022 EV/Sales multiple. Therefore, RLX’s 16.5x 2022 EV/Sales multiple does not seem so unreasonable, especially considering the current behavior of capital markets.The IPO valuation looks attractive and possibly have a decent upside in the short term. However, there are some significant risks associated with investing in RLX which investors need to be aware of before deciding to subscribe to the IPO.

Japan

Japan Tobacco, Inc. operates as an tobacco product company. The Company manufactures, markets and sells cigarettes and other tobacco products internationally. Japan Tobacco is also engaged in pharmaceutical and food businesses.

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Japan Tobacco (2914 JP)

Japan Tobacco: Turning a Corner

After a lengthy period of weakness which saw shares decline more than 62% by June 2020, JT seems to have turned a corner with the share price...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Asia Shorts: Meituan, Kuaishou, Zhongsheng, Toshiba, Monex, Orix, Samsung, HMC, China Steel, Innolux

The Insight looks at large short interest movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Update 02/09 - Shimano, Honda, Japan Tobacco

Of yesterday's 246 results announcements, 70% scored positively for earnings momentum despite trailing revenues falling by 7.3% on average and a...

Campbell Gunn

Screening the Silk Road: Q1 2021 All Cap Screening - Free Cashflow (FCF)

With the value/growth investment style ratio at 20-year lows, we present 27 names which hold characteristics worthy of further review.

David Lepper

RLX Technology IPO: Risk of Unknowns

RLX Technology, China’s number one branded e-vapor company with a market share of 62.6%, has announced its indicative pricing range at $8-10 per...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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