'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. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/125/157/original/File%202020-03-28%2015%2042%2009.jpeg?1585378270" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="125157"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Mainichi Photography</div>STAY AT HOME (PLEASE) - With the 2020 Olympics now destined for 2021, the authorities can focus on containing Covid-19 which continues to spread in Tokyo.  Governor Koike and the Governors of the surrounding prefectures have responded to the recent growth in cases in the metropolis by requesting that citizens stay at home this weekend. Parks and many shops and restaurants have closed, and inclement weather (it is snowing across most of the Kanto plain this Sunday) has resulted in a high degree of compliance.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/125/263/original/File%202020-03-29%206%2035%2050.jpeg?1585431441" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="125263"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • aatishb.com</div>CATCHING UP - Without the implementation of the measures adopted in China and South Korea, Japan is now moving more in line with the global trends shown above in terms of log-scale incremental rate of change. Sixty-three new cases were reported on Saturday, the largest single-day total to date. Over half of the new cases were in the 'Longevity General Hospital' in Taito Ward, taking the total for the capital to 362. For Japan as a whole, the total one cases for Saturday was 194 a 68% one-day increase. Covid-19 fatalities increased by six to 53.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/125/264/original/File%202020-03-29%206%2037%2003.jpeg?1585431468" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="125264"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • aatishb.com</div>THE SWEDISH MODEL - PM Abe is concerned that a full societal 'lockdown' would damage the economy and has yet to invoke his newly-minted emergency powers - which, in any case, do not provide for such a measure. For now, Japan is following Sweden's social experiment of permitting life to go on as usual as much as possible. Both countries have been criticised for their 'novel' approach; however, their trajectories are noticeably different from the US and Italy. Let us hope than Japan's remarkably low-incidence of, and CFR from, Covid-19 infection can hold.CORONA 'SHOKKU' - At a press conference yesterday Abe pledged to introduce an economic package that would exceed Japan's response to the "Lehman Shock" with a particular focus on SMEs and distressed households. The details are to be announced in the next ten days.RATIONING BOOK - In other news, Kinokuniya bookstore in Tokyo is limiting purchases of the now-existential necessity Camus' The Plague' to one per person.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/125/256/original/2020-03-28_08-20-51.png?1585429894" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="125256"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS - On Thursday the Bank of Japan's ETF purchase programme constituted 6% of Value Traded as the total interventions this month now total ¥1.3 trillion has recovered 18% from the last weeks' low and is 'only' 16% below the December high. Our Results Score is now negative, and the Forecast/Revision Score will follow next week. With over 3 billion people around the world in some form of social isolation, we expect both of our Scores to reach new five year lows by May and for equities to follow, despite Governor Kuroda's machinations.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/125/260/original/2020-03-29_06-20-04.png?1585430434" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="125260"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>NO MAN'S LAND - As Aggregate TTM and Forecast Operating and Net Income head lower, the last week's bear-market-bounce has taken multiples back towards the long-term averages. With 3 quarters of results before a possible cycle low, Japanese equities are stuck in no man's land, neither overvalued not undervalued.  <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/125/158/original/2020-03-28_15-56-17.png?1585378601" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="125158"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/125/305/original/2020-03-29_08-40-46.png?1585438866" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="125305"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>FRIDAY 27th MARCH - Friday saw six companies reporting results, of which two - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jastec-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9201:1" rel="noopener">Jastec (9717 JP)</a>- and<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/niitaka-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4911:1" rel="noopener">Niitaka (4465 JP)</a> had positive scores. Fifteen companies revised their forecasts, and one - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/imv-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14159:1" rel="noopener">IMV (7760 JP)</a> withdrew its forecast entirely. In terms of our scoring system, the ratio of positive to negative 'scores' was 6:10, with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jfe-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:210:1" rel="noopener">JFE (5411 JP)</a> being the largest negative-scoring company. High-tech lamp maker <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ushio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6640:1" rel="noopener">Ushio (6925 JP)</a> cut its forecast for Operating Income to ¥6b - which would be the lowest outcome since 1994 and implies a fourth-quarter operating loss of ¥0.35b.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sony-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:563:1" rel="noopener">Sony (6758 JP)</a>announced that its forecasts made in February are now likely to be revised down and that the company may not be able to release FY2020 earnings as scheduled on 30th April due to delays in accounting procedures. <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>has shut down two plants in Japan, reflecting a weaker sales outlook.

Source • Mainichi PhotographySTAY AT HOME (PLEASE) - With the 2020 Olympics now destined for 2021, the authorities can focus on containing Covid-19 which continues to spread in Tokyo.  Governor Koike and the Governors of the surrounding prefectures have responded to the recent growth in cases in the metropolis by requesting that citizens stay at home this weekend. Parks and many shops and restaurants have closed, and inclement weather (it is snowing across most of the Kanto plain this Sunday) has resulted in a high degree of compliance.Source • aatishb.comCATCHING UP - Without the implementation of the measures adopted in China and South Korea, Japan is now moving more in line with the global trends shown above in terms of log-scale incremental rate of change. Sixty-three new cases were reported on Saturday, the largest single-day total to date. Over half of the new cases were in the 'Longevity General Hospital' in Taito Ward, taking the total for the capital to 362. For Japan as a whole, the total one cases for Saturday was 194 a 68% one-day increase. Covid-19 fatalities increased by six to 53.Source • aatishb.comTHE SWEDISH MODEL - PM Abe is concerned that a full societal 'lockdown' would damage the economy and has yet to invoke his newly-minted emergency powers - which, in any case, do not provide for such a measure. For now, Japan is following Sweden's social experiment of permitting life to go on as usual as much as possible. Both countries have been criticised for their 'novel' approach; however, their trajectories are noticeably different from the US and Italy. Let us hope than Japan's remarkably low-incidence of, and CFR from, Covid-19 infection can hold.CORONA 'SHOKKU' - At a press conference yesterday Abe pledged to introduce an economic package that would exceed Japan's response to the "Lehman Shock" with a particular focus on SMEs and distressed households. The details are to be announced in the next ten days.RATIONING BOOK - In other news, Kinokuniya bookstore in Tokyo is limiting purchases of the now-existential necessity Camus' The Plague' to one per person.Source • Japan AnalyticsPULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS - On Thursday the Bank of Japan's ETF purchase programme constituted 6% of Value Traded as the total interventions this month now total ¥1.3 trillion has recovered 18% from the last weeks' low and is 'only' 16% below the December high. Our Results Score is now negative, and the Forecast/Revision Score will follow next week. With over 3 billion people around the world in some form of social isolation, we expect both of our Scores to reach new five year lows by May and for equities to follow, despite Governor Kuroda's machinations.Source • Japan AnalyticsNO MAN'S LAND - As Aggregate TTM and Forecast Operating and Net Income head lower, the last week's bear-market-bounce has taken multiples back towards the long-term averages. With 3 quarters of results before a possible cycle low, Japanese equities are stuck in no man's land, neither overvalued not undervalued.  Source • Japan AnalyticsFRIDAY 27th MARCH - Friday saw six companies reporting results, of which two - Jastec (9717 JP)- andNiitaka (4465 JP) had positive scores. Fifteen companies revised their forecasts, and one - IMV (7760 JP) withdrew its forecast entirely. In terms of our scoring system, the ratio of positive to negative 'scores' was 6:10, with JFE (5411 JP) being the largest negative-scoring company. High-tech lamp maker Ushio (6925 JP) cut its forecast for Operating Income to ¥6b - which would be the lowest outcome since 1994 and implies a fourth-quarter operating loss of ¥0.35b.Sony (6758 JP)announced that its forecasts made in February are now likely to be revised down and that the company may not be able to release FY2020 earnings as scheduled on 30th April due to delays in accounting procedures. Honda Motor (7267 JP)has shut down two plants in Japan, reflecting a weaker sales outlook.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Revisions & Results Alert - 27th March - A Weekend at Home with the Swedish Model

Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

Imagine a sell-side analyst calls. You ignore it, of course, and the voicemail goes like this:
<blockquote>
This is Hunter from Barr, King, Seals. We're downgrading Atomic &amp; Fossil Power to a Potential Future Buy, our lowest rating. Key points are that fish-kill rates from plant effluents are way up, charitable giving is down year-over-year, and the Board is still just a bunch of old white men.
</blockquote>
Sounds absurd, doesn't it?
There's a very good reason for that.
The truth is, ESG information doesn't drive stock prices.
I'm not saying ESG performance isn’t accretive to long-term value; often it is. Rather, I am saying that ESG informational events don't have nearly the same sway as their financial equivalents.
Financial information – about profits, losses, mergers, write-downs, upgrades, downgrades, and CFOs pursuing other interests – has a direct and immediate impact on securities prices.
ESG information, on the other hand, creeps into valuations circuitously.
By definition as non-financial data, ESG is always one or more degrees of separation from what really matters. ESG must impact financial metrics before manifesting, indirectly in prices.
Put another way, ESG isn't value in and of itself; it's a catalyst for value.
It's not all rain on the parade though. Some ESG events do move prices. Additionally, as the quality and timeliness of ESG data continues to improve, markets will absorb it with increasing efficiency.
This topic, how ESG information is assimilated into stock prices, is so pertinent to ESG Alpha – the core leitmotif of my research – that I will address it as a quasi-series, starting with this report.
Rather than kick this off with a buzz kill (hint: ESG scores/ratings are lousy predictors of price), I'm starting with a kind of ESG information event that affects stocks materially in the here-and-now.
Fat-tail hitting-the-fan Enron-esque ESG-related news.
Herein, I analyze a few recent ESG events that make the cut as statistically-significant in terms of inferred causality – and a few that surprisingly don't. Though not a complete list, here are a few:
<ul>
<li>Single-stock events (PG&amp;E, Toshiba, Chipotle, Steinhoff, Equifax, Bausch Health, Kobe Steel)</li>
<li>The Volkswagen "Dieselgate" or "Emissionsgate" scandal (VW, Porsche, MAN SE, and others)</li>
<li>Danske Bank A/S and Swedbank AB getting caught up in the "Baltic Money Laundering Scandal"</li>
<li>U.S. pharmaceutical companies being sued for damages associated with the U.S. opioid crisis</li>
</ul>

Imagine a sell-side analyst calls. You ignore it, of course, and the voicemail goes like this:

This is Hunter from Barr, King, Seals. We're downgrading Atomic &amp; Fossil Power to a Potential Future Buy, our lowest rating. Key points are that fish-kill rates from plant effluents are way up, charitable giving is down year-over-year, and the Board is still just a bunch of old white men.

Sounds absurd, doesn't it?
There's a very good reason for that.
The truth is, ESG information doesn't drive stock prices.
I'm not saying ESG performance isn’t accretive to long-term value; often it is. Rather, I am saying that ESG informational events don't have nearly the same sway as their financial equivalents.
Financial information – about profits, losses, mergers, write-downs, upgrades, downgrades, and CFOs pursuing other interests – has a direct and immediate impact on securities prices.
ESG information, on the other hand, creeps into valuations circuitously.
By definition as non-financial data, ESG is always one or more degrees of separation from what really matters. ESG must impact financial metrics before manifesting, indirectly in prices.
Put another way, ESG isn't value in and of itself; it's a catalyst for value.
It's not all rain on the parade though. Some ESG events do move prices. Additionally, as the quality and timeliness of ESG data continues to improve, markets will absorb it with increasing efficiency.
This topic, how ESG information is assimilated into stock prices, is so pertinent to ESG Alpha – the core leitmotif of my research – that I will address it as a quasi-series, starting with this report.
Rather than kick this off with a buzz kill (hint: ESG scores/ratings are lousy predictors of price), I'm starting with a kind of ESG information event that affects stocks materially in the here-and-now.
Fat-tail hitting-the-fan Enron-esque ESG-related news.
Herein, I analyze a few recent ESG events that make the cut as statistically-significant in terms of inferred causality – and a few that surprisingly don't. Though not a complete list, here are a few:

Single-stock events (PG&amp;E, Toshiba, Chipotle, Steinhoff, Equifax, Bausch Health, Kobe Steel)
The Volkswagen "Dieselgate" or "Emissionsgate" scandal (VW, Porsche, MAN SE, and others)
Danske Bank A/S and Swedbank AB getting caught up in the "Baltic Money Laundering Scandal"
U.S. pharmaceutical companies being sued for damages associated with the U.S. opioid crisis



Doing bespoke work since 2002....., Custom Products Group

Patrick Hansen

Doing bespoke work since 2002.....

Custom Products Group

Custom Products was started 14 years ago at Lehman Brothers by current co-founder Patrick Hansen, CFA. After 3 years at Lehman, Patrick moved the team to Macquarie Securities where Simon Rigney (co-founder) joined. 3 years ago we took Custom Products independent. 

Our core strength can be summed up three words. 1- Customization - we have very little off the shelf products and most work is done on a one on one bespoke basis. 2- Speed - We pride ourselves in our ability to get requests back to the client very quickly. 3- Confidentiality - We do not redistribute. There is no grace period where we wait a week and then mass blast. Any request stops with that client.

We screened for names in Japan with a low PBR relative to its own history and also low relative to other names in the Sector. Large-cap names that made the list are  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/154" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:154:1">Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267 JP)</a> with a 0.7x PBR, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/961" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:961:1">Nippon Steel &amp; Sumitomo Metal Corp (5401 JP)</a> with a 0.6x PBR and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/13613" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13613:1">Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011 JP)</a> with a 0.7x PBR.<h2>Screen Criteria</h2><ol>
<li>Absolute PBR is less than 1.1x</li>
<li>Current PBR is currently 20% or more below the 5-year median PBR</li>
<li>Current PBR is 20% or more below the Sector Median</li>
</ol><h2>Screen</h2>…

We screened for names in Japan with a low PBR relative to its own history and also low relative to other names in the Sector. Large-cap names that made the list are  Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267 JP) with a 0.7x PBR, Nippon Steel &amp; Sumitomo Metal Corp (5401 JP) with a 0.6x PBR and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011 JP) with a 0.7x PBR.Screen Criteria
Absolute PBR is less than 1.1x
Current PBR is currently 20% or more below the 5-year median PBR
Current PBR is 20% or more below the Sector Median
Screen…

Names with Low PBR Relative to History and Sector....

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.

Trump is a bit of a conundrum. With his propensity to take to twitter to respond to minor slights it might be tempting to consider him a person who is concerned with appearances but almost everything he says invites criticism. What seems to get lost in the muddle and what people seem reluctant to give him credit for is something very simple. He makes things happen. And that is often better than stagnation in an undesirable, though tolerable state. The North Korea situation is an example and…

Trump is a bit of a conundrum. With his propensity to take to twitter to respond to minor slights it might be tempting to consider him a person who is concerned with appearances but almost everything he says invites criticism. What seems to get lost in the muddle and what people seem reluctant to give him credit for is something very simple. He makes things happen. And that is often better than stagnation in an undesirable, though tolerable state. The North Korea situation is an example and…

What the Market May Be Missing About Trump's Trade "Strategy" With China

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

There were more than 40 reports on Japanese and South Korean companies and their economies in the past week that were published at Smartkarma. The top three reports (in terms of views) covering the North Asia markets in the past week were as follows:<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/yakult-50-fewer-calories" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:18156">Yakult: 50% Fewer Calories</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/yakult-honsha-placement-a-little-more-correction-would-be-ideal" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:17958">Yakult Honsha Placement - A Little More Correction Would Be Ideal</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bgf-bgf-retail-stock-swap-status-update" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:18009">BGF &amp; BGF Retail Stock Swap - Status Update</a></li>
</ul><hr><h2>JAPAN</h2>YAKULT: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/713" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:713">Mio Kato, CFA</a> wrote about this stock in his report <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/yakult-50-fewer-calories" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:18156">Yakult: 50% Fewer Calories</a>. Mio is not Gung-Ho Ho on…

There were more than 40 reports on Japanese and South Korean companies and their economies in the past week that were published at Smartkarma. The top three reports (in terms of views) covering the North Asia markets in the past week were as follows:
Yakult: 50% Fewer Calories
Yakult Honsha Placement - A Little More Correction Would Be Ideal
BGF &amp; BGF Retail Stock Swap - Status Update
JAPANYAKULT: Mio Kato, CFA wrote about this stock in his report Yakult: 50% Fewer Calories. Mio is not Gung-Ho Ho on…

The Week That Was In North Asia@Smartkarma: Yakult, Cosmetic Surgery O2O Platform, & Streaming Music

Japan

Kobe Steel, Ltd. is a steelmaker, as well as a supplier of aluminum and copper products.  The products include steel plates and steel rods.  The Company also operates other businesses such as welding consumables, urban infrastructure, plant engineering, and industrial & construction machinery.  Kobe Steel has operating offices in the US, Europe, and Asia.

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

Kobe Steel Ltd (5406 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Revisions & Results Alert - 27th March - A Weekend at Home with the Swedish Model

STAY AT HOME (PLEASE) - With the 2020 Olympics now destined for 2021, the authorities can focus on containing Covid-19 which continues to spread in...

Campbell Gunn

ESG and Stock Prices: Fat-Tail Events

Imagine a sell-side analyst calls. You ignore it, of course, and the voicemail goes like this: This is Hunter from Barr, King, Seals. We're...

Kyle Rudden

Names with Low PBR Relative to History and Sector....

We screened for names in Japan with a low PBR relative to its own history and also low relative to other names in the Sector. Large-cap names that...

Custom Products Group

What the Market May Be Missing About Trump's Trade "Strategy" With China

Trump is a bit of a conundrum. With his propensity to take to twitter to respond to minor slights it might be tempting to consider him a person who...

Mio Kato

The Week That Was In North Asia@Smartkarma: Yakult, Cosmetic Surgery O2O Platform, & Streaming Music

There were more than 40 reports on Japanese and South Korean companies and their economies in the past week that were published at Smartkarma. The...

Douglas Kim

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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