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. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The following is an in-depth review of the big three Japanese convenience store (CVS) players, Seven Eleven (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/1041" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a>), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/320" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:320:1">Familymart (8028 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/1040" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1040:1">Lawson Inc (2651 JP)</a>. This follows <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-convenience-stores-still-innovating-in-a-saturated-market" target="_blank">our review of the Japanese convenience store sector overall</a>, which is best to read first.
The key operational and strategic themes relevant to investors regarding the Big Three in Japan:
<ul class="">
<li>Saturation has encouraged the top three operators to take over the remaining smaller chains while pushing into regions where they have fewer stores.</li>
<li>All are expanding new forms of retail:
<ul>
<li>Seven Eleven and Lawson have launched new e-commerce ventures that make the best use of their existing store networks and could reach national coverage quite soon.</li>
<li>Diversification: Familymart, in particular, is tying with all manner of partners to try and come up with a hit hybrid format to find new growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While competition from drugstores and discount food retailers is a threat, convenience stores will continue to find new growth from e-commerce, hybrid stores and innovative products.</li>
</ul>

The following is an in-depth review of the big three Japanese convenience store (CVS) players, Seven Eleven (Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)), Familymart (8028 JP) and Lawson Inc (2651 JP). This follows our review of the Japanese convenience store sector overall, which is best to read first.
The key operational and strategic themes relevant to investors regarding the Big Three in Japan:

Saturation has encouraged the top three operators to take over the remaining smaller chains while pushing into regions where they have fewer stores.
All are expanding new forms of retail:

Seven Eleven and Lawson have launched new e-commerce ventures that make the best use of their existing store networks and could reach national coverage quite soon.
Diversification: Familymart, in particular, is tying with all manner of partners to try and come up with a hit hybrid format to find new growth.


While competition from drugstores and discount food retailers is a threat, convenience stores will continue to find new growth from e-commerce, hybrid stores and innovative products.


Seven Eleven, Familymart and Lawson Find New Growth Strategies in Tighter Market

Asia Long-Short PM/Analyst

Curtis Lehnert

Event-Driven

The sashimi has rolled. In my original insight on August 27, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/takara-holdings-2531-jp-stub-sashimi-rollin-they-hatin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:23312">Takara Holdings (2531 JP) Stub: Sashimi Rollin', They Hatin'</a>, I recommended a long Takara stub trade. In the 15 trading days since I published my insight, the stock has rallied 27%, bringing the discount to NAV from 25% to 6%.  I recommend you close the trade and lock in a nice gain.  In the post-trade analysis to follow, I will explain:<ul>
<li>Why the trade worked, and</li>
<li>Why the trade is over</li>
</ul>

The sashimi has rolled. In my original insight on August 27, Takara Holdings (2531 JP) Stub: Sashimi Rollin', They Hatin', I recommended a long Takara stub trade. In the 15 trading days since I published my insight, the stock has rallied 27%, bringing the discount to NAV from 25% to 6%.  I recommend you close the trade and lock in a nice gain.  In the post-trade analysis to follow, I will explain:
Why the trade worked, and
Why the trade is over


Takara Holdings (2531 JP): Stock +27%, Close the Stub Trade

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

This week, with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/21096" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21096:1">Asm International Nv (ASM NA)</a> trading at an extreme level to ~25%-held <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/15061" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15061:1">Asm Pacific Technology (522 HK)</a>, is now the time to go long WFE?
I also briefly discussed <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/11074" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11074:1">Takara Holdings (2531 JP)</a> after underperforming 60.9%-held <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/10766" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10766:1">Takara Bio Inc (4974 JP)</a> following the release of its 1Q19 results.
Preceding my comments on ASM and Takara are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.
These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed as a % - of at least 20%.

This week, with Asm International Nv (ASM NA) trading at an extreme level to ~25%-held Asm Pacific Technology (522 HK), is now the time to go long WFE?
I also briefly discussed Takara Holdings (2531 JP) after underperforming 60.9%-held Takara Bio Inc (4974 JP) following the release of its 1Q19 results.
Preceding my comments on ASM and Takara are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.
These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed as a % - of at least 20%.

StubWorld: The Demand for ASM Intl's Front-End; Takara's Spending for Spending's Sake

'Sushi and sake, from Japan to the world', might as well be the motto of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/11074" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11074:1">Takara Holdings (2531 JP)</a>.  As a leading maker of sake and shochu in Japan with a booming international Japanese food and beverage business, Takara Holdings is focused on spreading high quality Japanese beverages and ingredients around the world.  
The company has been on a multi-year growth leg that continues to the present and I would argue, into the future.  But, after an earnings announcement that brought the share price tumbling down 15% the core food and beverage business is trading at a multi-year low, more than 2 standard deviations below its long-term average and to a discount to NAV of 25%.  
In this insight, I will detail:
<ul>
<li>The Trade and How to Position for a Win</li>
<li>An In-Depth Look at the Business, Products and Growth Drivers </li>
</ul>

'Sushi and sake, from Japan to the world', might as well be the motto of Takara Holdings (2531 JP).  As a leading maker of sake and shochu in Japan with a booming international Japanese food and beverage business, Takara Holdings is focused on spreading high quality Japanese beverages and ingredients around the world.  
The company has been on a multi-year growth leg that continues to the present and I would argue, into the future.  But, after an earnings announcement that brought the share price tumbling down 15% the core food and beverage business is trading at a multi-year low, more than 2 standard deviations below its long-term average and to a discount to NAV of 25%.  
In this insight, I will detail:

The Trade and How to Position for a Win
An In-Depth Look at the Business, Products and Growth Drivers 


Takara Holdings (2531 JP) Stub: Sashimi Rollin', They Hatin'

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

ja research

ja research is an independent research platform focused exclusively on Japanese equities. Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, we provide insights on small and medium-sized companies that have been ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on larger companies. We also offer analyst and corporate access, the latter with translation if required. 

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/061/034/original/2018-08-16_19-07-34.png?1534672507" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="61034"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>A GOOD QUARTER - The Composite Results Score has now declined for seven months in a row and is implying a slowing of the upward momentum in earnings.  However, the score has only declined by 31 basis points since last quarter showing a degree of 'stability' seen only in 2011 in recent years.  The aggregate Forecast/Revision score has also continued to decline and is now lower for the fourth straight month. As would be expected, this score is a reliable leading indicator for the Results Score and suggests further weakening in the rate of earnings growth in the months ahead.  Neither score is, as yet, suggesting a decline in earnings before the end of the fiscal year.YEN CORRELATION WEAKENING - This quarter's earnings' stability was surprising given the relative strength of the Yen compared to a year ago. In the past and even as recently as 2016, a 5 per cent year-on-year decline has resulted in negative Results Scores. The year-on-year change in now positive so any negative impact will dissipate over the next two quarters.MARKET FOLLOWS MOMENTUM LOWER - The All Market Composite peaked on 23rd January and has since fallen by 11% despite a continuation of the Bank of Japan's ETF purchasing programme. Weakening earnings momentum and the overvaluation of many of the leading stocks, as in our '<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-most-overbought-most-oversold-the-relative-price-score" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:21149">Nifty 50</a>' portfolio, have been contributing factors. With prospects for a much weaker Yen limited by the current trade negotiations between Japan and the United States, and with global growth slowing, we expect both Results and Revision Scores to trend lower, but to end the fiscal year in positive territory. Historically, the market has not risen during periods when both the Results and Forecast/Revision Scores have been trending down.<div class="content-highlight">MARKET RECOMMENDATION - Within a global portfolio, we would market-weight Japanese equities with a bias towards domestic sectors and not hedge the currency exposure.</div>SECTOR RESULTS SCORES -The good news is that only one sector, (Multi-Industry - 75% of which is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/359" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:359:1">Japan Post [6178 JP</a>]) has a negative score - and its score is less negative than last quarter. Both the Media and Consumer Services sectors' scores turned positive and each increased by more than two points.  On the other hand, over half of our 29 sectors saw declining scores, although the number was lower than last quarter.  The top sectors in terms of quarter-on-quarter change were Energy, Consumer Services, Media, Information Technology and Other Commercial Products while the laggards were Non-Bank Finance, Chemicals, Construction, Machinery and Utilities. SECTOR REVISION SCORES - Five sectors have negative Forecast/Revision Scores with Utilities now joining Media, Multi-Industry, Autos and Banks from last quarter. The highest scores are in the Energy, Technology Hardware, Electrical Equipment, Retail and Information Technology sectors. Improvements of greater than one point were seen in Energy, Media and Machinery while Food, Beverages &amp; Tobacco, Chemicals, Utilities, Other Materials and Technology Hardware all lost more than one point. Overall eighteen sectors saw declines.REVISION V. RESULTS SCORES - The difference between the Results and Revision Scores is a good indicator of corporate expectations compared with the trailing-twelve-month reality. In some cases (e.g. Restaurants) the 'optimism' is due to a failure to revise forecasts in the light of weaker results. In others, such as Telecommunications, there is scope for upward revisions in the coming quarters.<div class="content-highlight">
THE OPTIMISTS
Restaurants • Other Materials • Electrical Equipment • Technology Hardware • Retail
THE PESSIMISTS
Banks • Autos • Telecommunications • Utilities • Media • Chemicals
</div>SECTOR PERFORMANCE - Over the last three months, our Japan Market Composite declined by 5.8%. Only four sectors saw an increase in value led by Telecommunications, Energy, Commercial Services and Information Technology. The largest declines were in the Building Materials, Metals, Real Estate Construction and Machinery sectors. Nine sectors are now negative over one year led by Building Materials, Metals and Food, Beverages &amp; Tobacco and only eight are up in double-digits led by Services and Information Technology. For the time being, Domestic Non-Manufacturing sectors 'rules the roost' and Domestic Cyclical sectors have taken over from Global Cyclicals in the 'doghouse'.'.<div class="content-highlight">
SECTOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Our most-preferred sectors are currently Energy, Healthcare, Telecommunications, Other Commercial Products and Information Technology.
Least-preferred sectors are Metals, Chemicals, Machinery, Autos, Construction, Real Estate, Building Materials, Food Beverages &amp; Tobacco and Utilities.
</div>TOP 5 LARGER PEER GROUPS - The top five Peer Groups capitalised at over ¥1 trillion are Machine Tools &amp; Presses, PC &amp; Computer Peripherals, Oil &amp; Gas Refining &amp; Marketing, Telecom Distribution Services and Sporting &amp; Outdoor Goods. The top twenty larger Peer Groups have gained 16% over one year but have declined by 4% on average the last three months.BOTTOM 5 LARGER PEER GROUPS - The bottom five Peer Groups capitalised at over ¥1 trillion are Audio/Visual Content, LCD/LED Materials &amp; Equipment, Electrical Engineering, General Contractors and Real Estate - Leasing. The bottom twenty larger Peer Groups have lost 2% over one year and 9% over the last three months. Only Security Services and Tobacco have risen since May.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/061/038/original/2018-08-19_19-33-03.png?1534674804" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="61038"></figure>

Source: Japan AnalyticsA GOOD QUARTER - The Composite Results Score has now declined for seven months in a row and is implying a slowing of the upward momentum in earnings.  However, the score has only declined by 31 basis points since last quarter showing a degree of 'stability' seen only in 2011 in recent years.  The aggregate Forecast/Revision score has also continued to decline and is now lower for the fourth straight month. As would be expected, this score is a reliable leading indicator for the Results Score and suggests further weakening in the rate of earnings growth in the months ahead.  Neither score is, as yet, suggesting a decline in earnings before the end of the fiscal year.YEN CORRELATION WEAKENING - This quarter's earnings' stability was surprising given the relative strength of the Yen compared to a year ago. In the past and even as recently as 2016, a 5 per cent year-on-year decline has resulted in negative Results Scores. The year-on-year change in now positive so any negative impact will dissipate over the next two quarters.MARKET FOLLOWS MOMENTUM LOWER - The All Market Composite peaked on 23rd January and has since fallen by 11% despite a continuation of the Bank of Japan's ETF purchasing programme. Weakening earnings momentum and the overvaluation of many of the leading stocks, as in our 'Nifty 50' portfolio, have been contributing factors. With prospects for a much weaker Yen limited by the current trade negotiations between Japan and the United States, and with global growth slowing, we expect both Results and Revision Scores to trend lower, but to end the fiscal year in positive territory. Historically, the market has not risen during periods when both the Results and Forecast/Revision Scores have been trending down.MARKET RECOMMENDATION - Within a global portfolio, we would market-weight Japanese equities with a bias towards domestic sectors and not hedge the currency exposure.SECTOR RESULTS SCORES -The good news is that only one sector, (Multi-Industry - 75% of which is Japan Post [6178 JP]) has a negative score - and its score is less negative than last quarter. Both the Media and Consumer Services sectors' scores turned positive and each increased by more than two points.  On the other hand, over half of our 29 sectors saw declining scores, although the number was lower than last quarter.  The top sectors in terms of quarter-on-quarter change were Energy, Consumer Services, Media, Information Technology and Other Commercial Products while the laggards were Non-Bank Finance, Chemicals, Construction, Machinery and Utilities. SECTOR REVISION SCORES - Five sectors have negative Forecast/Revision Scores with Utilities now joining Media, Multi-Industry, Autos and Banks from last quarter. The highest scores are in the Energy, Technology Hardware, Electrical Equipment, Retail and Information Technology sectors. Improvements of greater than one point were seen in Energy, Media and Machinery while Food, Beverages &amp; Tobacco, Chemicals, Utilities, Other Materials and Technology Hardware all lost more than one point. Overall eighteen sectors saw declines.REVISION V. RESULTS SCORES - The difference between the Results and Revision Scores is a good indicator of corporate expectations compared with the trailing-twelve-month reality. In some cases (e.g. Restaurants) the 'optimism' is due to a failure to revise forecasts in the light of weaker results. In others, such as Telecommunications, there is scope for upward revisions in the coming quarters.
THE OPTIMISTS
Restaurants • Other Materials • Electrical Equipment • Technology Hardware • Retail
THE PESSIMISTS
Banks • Autos • Telecommunications • Utilities • Media • Chemicals
SECTOR PERFORMANCE - Over the last three months, our Japan Market Composite declined by 5.8%. Only four sectors saw an increase in value led by Telecommunications, Energy, Commercial Services and Information Technology. The largest declines were in the Building Materials, Metals, Real Estate Construction and Machinery sectors. Nine sectors are now negative over one year led by Building Materials, Metals and Food, Beverages &amp; Tobacco and only eight are up in double-digits led by Services and Information Technology. For the time being, Domestic Non-Manufacturing sectors 'rules the roost' and Domestic Cyclical sectors have taken over from Global Cyclicals in the 'doghouse'.'.
SECTOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Our most-preferred sectors are currently Energy, Healthcare, Telecommunications, Other Commercial Products and Information Technology.
Least-preferred sectors are Metals, Chemicals, Machinery, Autos, Construction, Real Estate, Building Materials, Food Beverages &amp; Tobacco and Utilities.
TOP 5 LARGER PEER GROUPS - The top five Peer Groups capitalised at over ¥1 trillion are Machine Tools &amp; Presses, PC &amp; Computer Peripherals, Oil &amp; Gas Refining &amp; Marketing, Telecom Distribution Services and Sporting &amp; Outdoor Goods. The top twenty larger Peer Groups have gained 16% over one year but have declined by 4% on average the last three months.BOTTOM 5 LARGER PEER GROUPS - The bottom five Peer Groups capitalised at over ¥1 trillion are Audio/Visual Content, LCD/LED Materials &amp; Equipment, Electrical Engineering, General Contractors and Real Estate - Leasing. The bottom twenty larger Peer Groups have lost 2% over one year and 9% over the last three months. Only Security Services and Tobacco have risen since May.

Japan: Results & Revision Scores Summer 2018 Update - Market Composite, Sectors & Peer Groups

Japan

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited produces beer, soft drinks, food products, whisky, and pharmaceuticals.  The Company sells its products in Japan and overseas.

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Kirin Holdings (2503 JP)

Seven Eleven, Familymart and Lawson Find New Growth Strategies in Tighter Market

The following is an in-depth review of the big three Japanese convenience store (CVS) players, Seven Eleven (Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP)),...

Michael Causton

Takara Holdings (2531 JP): Stock +27%, Close the Stub Trade

The sashimi has rolled. In my original insight on August 27, Takara Holdings (2531 JP) Stub: Sashimi Rollin', They Hatin', I recommended a long...

Curtis Lehnert

StubWorld: The Demand for ASM Intl's Front-End; Takara's Spending for Spending's Sake

This week, with Asm International Nv (ASM NA) trading at an extreme level to ~25%-held Asm Pacific Technology (522 HK), is now the time to go long...

David Blennerhassett

Takara Holdings (2531 JP) Stub: Sashimi Rollin', They Hatin'

'Sushi and sake, from Japan to the world', might as well be the motto of Takara Holdings (2531 JP). As a leading maker of sake and shochu in Japan...

Curtis Lehnert

Japan: Results & Revision Scores Summer 2018 Update - Market Composite, Sectors & Peer Groups

A GOOD QUARTER - The Composite Results Score has now declined for seven months in a row and is implying a slowing of the upward momentum in...

Campbell Gunn

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