Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities

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>Sales are up but profits are lagging, with the gross, operating and net margins all declining in the first nine months of FY Mar-26.</li>
<li>Overseas sales have risen to two-thirds of total sales, with growth led by Asia and America. This trend seems likely to continue.</li>
<li>Keyence continues to pile up cash, but for what purpose? With no obvious gearing to AI, its stock price has been underperforming.</li>
</ul>


Sales are up but profits are lagging, with the gross, operating and net margins all declining in the first nine months of FY Mar-26.
Overseas sales have risen to two-thirds of total sales, with growth led by Asia and America. This trend seems likely to continue.
Keyence continues to pile up cash, but for what purpose? With no obvious gearing to AI, its stock price has been underperforming.


Keyence (6861 JP): Sliding Down a Mountain of Cash

Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Can expect more from the likes of Rakus Co Ltd, Shift Inc, NEC Corp and Fujitsu Ltd which all traded well yesterday on the rotation away from frontline AI plays.</li>
<li>It would make sense to see interest in physical AI FA plays such as Yaskawa Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Keyence Corp and Fanuc Corp as alternative exposure to the AI theme.</li>
<li>The power semis such as Fuji Electric, ROHM Co Ltd and Renesas Electronics should hold up after a strong day for the sector in the US.</li>
</ul>


Can expect more from the likes of Rakus Co Ltd, Shift Inc, NEC Corp and Fujitsu Ltd which all traded well yesterday on the rotation away from frontline AI plays.
It would make sense to see interest in physical AI FA plays such as Yaskawa Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Keyence Corp and Fanuc Corp as alternative exposure to the AI theme.
The power semis such as Fuji Electric, ROHM Co Ltd and Renesas Electronics should hold up after a strong day for the sector in the US.


Japan Morning Connection: Physical AI FA Plays May Draw Fresh Interest as Alternative AI Exposure

<ul>
<li>Rigaku worth watching as a play on the shift to 2D and more complex transistors requiring X-ray/metrology capabilities.</li>
<li>Photonics names QD Laser, Seiko Giken, Santec and Samco back on the menu for believers in co-packaged optics and photonic-driven AI scale-up.</li>
<li>Japanese space names finally looking more attractive after &gt;50% corrections from recent highs.</li>
</ul>


Rigaku worth watching as a play on the shift to 2D and more complex transistors requiring X-ray/metrology capabilities.
Photonics names QD Laser, Seiko Giken, Santec and Samco back on the menu for believers in co-packaged optics and photonic-driven AI scale-up.
Japanese space names finally looking more attractive after &gt;50% corrections from recent highs.


Japan Morning Connection: Broadening AI Rally Should Increase Photonics and Glass Substrate Focus

<ul>
<li>Kokusai +25% last week and JX Metals +25.6% likely reversal targets at the open.</li>
<li>TeraDrone is pivoting from industrial drones to defense after consolidating two Ukrainian combat drone companies, an interesting thematic to get behind.</li>
<li>Astroscale continued to drop -8.6% yesterday after its earnings showed increasing losses but still an interesting name given its focus on space-junk removal and orbital services.</li>
</ul>


Kokusai +25% last week and JX Metals +25.6% likely reversal targets at the open.
TeraDrone is pivoting from industrial drones to defense after consolidating two Ukrainian combat drone companies, an interesting thematic to get behind.
Astroscale continued to drop -8.6% yesterday after its earnings showed increasing losses but still an interesting name given its focus on space-junk removal and orbital services.


Japan Morning Connection: AI Related Names Set to Slide Following SOX's Skittish Retreat from Highs

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

Shenton Research

Shenton 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.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Orbbec, a maker of 3D vision sensors and devices for robots and connected machines, is seeking an A+H listing. GS and Haitong are the joint sponsors.</li>
<li>We look at the company's core segments: system-level devices and solutions, and sensors.</li>
<li>We discuss our preliminary thoughts on the company's valuation based on the A-H premium.</li>
</ul>


Orbbec, a maker of 3D vision sensors and devices for robots and connected machines, is seeking an A+H listing. GS and Haitong are the joint sponsors.
We look at the company's core segments: system-level devices and solutions, and sensors.
We discuss our preliminary thoughts on the company's valuation based on the A-H premium.


Orbbec (奥比中光) A+H Pre-IPO: Early Thoughts

Japan

KEYENCE CORPORATION develops, manufactures, and sells sensors and measuring instruments used for factory automation (FA) and high technology hobby products. The Company's products include fiber optic sensors, photoelectric sensors, programmable logic controllers (PLC), laser scan micrometers, bar code readers, and radio-controlled model cars.

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

Keyence Corp (6861 JP)

Keyence (6861 JP): Sliding Down a Mountain of Cash

Keyence may bounce off the bottom of its trading range, but has been underperforming other FA stocks due to lack of gearing to DX, slipping margins...

Scott Foster

Japan Morning Connection: Physical AI FA Plays May Draw Fresh Interest as Alternative AI Exposure

Expect a continuation of the shift away from frontline AI plays. Interest in physical AI FA plays may see an increase as alternative exposure to...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Morning Connection: Broadening AI Rally Should Increase Photonics and Glass Substrate Focus

Japanese SPEs continue to benefit from Korean tailwinds while photonics and glass substrate names should be increasingly back on the menu as...

Andrew Jackson

Orbbec (奥比中光) A+H Pre-IPO: Early Thoughts

Orbbec is seeking an A+H listing. In this note, we look at the company's business, its industry context and provide our early thoughts on valuation.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Keyence (6861 JP): Sliding Down a Mountain of Cash

Keyence may bounce off the bottom of its trading range, but has been underperforming other FA stocks due to lack of gearing to DX, slipping margins...

Scott Foster

Japan Morning Connection: Physical AI FA Plays May Draw Fresh Interest as Alternative AI Exposure

Expect a continuation of the shift away from frontline AI plays. Interest in physical AI FA plays may see an increase as alternative exposure to...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Morning Connection: Broadening AI Rally Should Increase Photonics and Glass Substrate Focus

Japanese SPEs continue to benefit from Korean tailwinds while photonics and glass substrate names should be increasingly back on the menu as...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Morning Connection: AI Related Names Set to Slide Following SOX's Skittish Retreat from Highs

AI trade cracks under its own weight but big dips likely buying opportunities. Kokusai and JX Metals likely reversal targets.

Andrew Jackson

Orbbec (奥比中光) A+H Pre-IPO: Early Thoughts

Orbbec is seeking an A+H listing. In this note, we look at the company's business, its industry context and provide our early thoughts on valuation.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM