Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Lacklustre numbers for both Dell and HP show tapering demand for PC's.</li>
<li>Keisei Electric Rail snubbing Murakami with another 1% Oriental Land sale?</li>
<li>Nikon analysts meeting does little to clarify the intentions of EssilorLuxottic's 8.45% stake.</li>
</ul>


Lacklustre numbers for both Dell and HP show tapering demand for PC's.
Keisei Electric Rail snubbing Murakami with another 1% Oriental Land sale?
Nikon analysts meeting does little to clarify the intentions of EssilorLuxottic's 8.45% stake.


Japan Morning Connection: AI Edge Computing Is Failing to Drive PC Demand

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei 225 index dropped by 2.7% this week, closing at 37,913 points, due to political uncertainty ahead of Japan's general election, rising global bond yields, and disappointing economic data</li>
<li>Japan's weakening services and manufacturing sectors, as indicated by declining PMIs and easing inflation, highlight slowing domestic demand and economic uncertainty, raising concerns about future growth prospects.</li>
<li>Konica Minolta (4902): Gained 25% after activist investor, Effissimo Capital, declared a significant 5.8% stake in the company.</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei 225 index dropped by 2.7% this week, closing at 37,913 points, due to political uncertainty ahead of Japan's general election, rising global bond yields, and disappointing economic data
Japan's weakening services and manufacturing sectors, as indicated by declining PMIs and easing inflation, highlight slowing domestic demand and economic uncertainty, raising concerns about future growth prospects.
Konica Minolta (4902): Gained 25% after activist investor, Effissimo Capital, declared a significant 5.8% stake in the company.


Japan Weekly | Nikkei Drops; Political Uncertainty; Weakening Economy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>Today after the close, the Nikkei Index Committee <a href="https://indexes.nikkei.co.jp/nkave/archives/news/20260904E_1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the Sep26 Nikkei 225 Average review. There are 3 ADDs and 3 DELETEs. </li>
<li>The 3 ADDs are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kokusai-electric-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40152:1" rel="noopener">Kokusai Electric (6525)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jx-advanced-metals-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44346:1" rel="noopener">JX Advanced Metals (5016)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/capcom-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1459:1" rel="noopener">Capcom Co Ltd (9697)</a>. Three DELETEs are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/archion-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:47577:1" rel="noopener">Archion (543A)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/konica-minolta-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17287:1" rel="noopener">Konica Minolta (4902)</a> , and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kanadevia-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14969:1" rel="noopener">Kanadevia (7004)</a>. Limited surprises here. </li>
<li>I had Food &amp; Life (3563) instead of Capcom and I had Kanadevia just under the liquidity kickout threshold. Flows are still big (~US$4.7bn a side). Funding is +167 baskets.</li>
</ul>


Today after the close, the Nikkei Index Committee announced the Sep26 Nikkei 225 Average review. There are 3 ADDs and 3 DELETEs. 
The 3 ADDs are Kokusai Electric (6525), JX Advanced Metals (5016), and Capcom Co Ltd (9697). Three DELETEs are Archion (543A), Konica Minolta (4902) , and Kanadevia (7004). Limited surprises here. 
I had Food &amp; Life (3563) instead of Capcom and I had Kanadevia just under the liquidity kickout threshold. Flows are still big (~US$4.7bn a side). Funding is +167 baskets.


[Quiddity Index] Nikkei 225 Sep26 Rebal Results: 3 ADDs, 3 DELs, No New Rules Impact

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

<ul>
<li>The review period for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a> September rebalance ended on 31 July. Nikkei has also confirmed <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advantest-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18107:1" rel="noopener">Advantest Corp (6857 JP)</a>'s capping at the rebalance.</li>
<li>The newly created Information &amp; Communication sector is the most underweight while the Technology sector remains the most overweight. We could see some changes from these sectors.</li>
<li>The changes at the September rebalance will set the tone for future rebalances and sector balance is likely to play a large role moving forward.</li>
</ul>


The review period for the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) September rebalance ended on 31 July. Nikkei has also confirmed Advantest Corp (6857 JP)'s capping at the rebalance.
The newly created Information &amp; Communication sector is the most underweight while the Technology sector remains the most overweight. We could see some changes from these sectors.
The changes at the September rebalance will set the tone for future rebalances and sector balance is likely to play a large role moving forward.


Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2026): Potential Adds, Deletes, Capping & Other Changes

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> has been one of the most prolific executors of corporate buybacks in the past 20yrs. Up there with Toyota. </li>
<li>Historically, its buybacks were finished very early in the buyback period, and were a big percentage of volume while being executed. The current one is different. Slower. Lower impact. </li>
<li>This piece is a study. Our data shows Canon has underperformed during the buyback as EPS expectations have suffered vs Peers. The study shows post-buyback-end underperformance isn't a thing.</li>
</ul>



Canon Inc (7751 JP) has been one of the most prolific executors of corporate buybacks in the past 20yrs. Up there with Toyota. 
Historically, its buybacks were finished very early in the buyback period, and were a big percentage of volume while being executed. The current one is different. Slower. Lower impact. 
This piece is a study. Our data shows Canon has underperformed during the buyback as EPS expectations have suffered vs Peers. The study shows post-buyback-end underperformance isn't a thing.


[Japan Buyback] Canon's ¥200bn Buyback Is Almost Done - A Short Study

Japan

Konica Minolta Inc is mainly engaged in manufacturing office equipment and performance materials. It also operates health care businesses. The Company also makes copiers, personal computer peripherals, optical lenses, and measuring instruments.

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Konica Minolta (4902 JP)

Japan Morning Connection: AI Edge Computing Is Failing to Drive PC Demand

PC demand is slowing as Dell and HP report lacklustre numbers, Keisei Electric Rail sells more Oriental Land shares, and Nikon's meeting leaves...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Weekly | Nikkei Drops; Political Uncertainty; Weakening Economy

Nikkei 225 falls 2.7% on political uncertainty, global bond yields, and weak economic data; Konica Minolta gains 25% after activist investor...

Mark Chadwick

[Quiddity Index] Nikkei 225 Sep26 Rebal Results: 3 ADDs, 3 DELs, No New Rules Impact

The Sep26 Nikkei 225 Review turned out slightly different than expected. One change is a toss-up. The other is more of a question. The three ADDs...

Travis Lundy

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2026): Potential Adds, Deletes, Capping & Other Changes

We forecast 3 changes for the NKY in Sep and highlight potential changes. The introduction of a new sector and a new rule changes things a bit and...

Brian Freitas

[Japan Buyback] Canon's ¥200bn Buyback Is Almost Done - A Short Study

Most Canon buybacks in the past 15yrs have been high % of ADV, finishing early. The current one is lower impact. Previous buybacks have minimal...

Travis Lundy

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Japan Morning Connection: AI Edge Computing Is Failing to Drive PC Demand

​PC demand is slowing as Dell and HP report lacklustre numbers, Keisei Electric Rail sells more Oriental Land shares, and Nikon's meeting leaves...

Andrew Jackson

Japan Weekly | Nikkei Drops; Political Uncertainty; Weakening Economy

​Nikkei 225 falls 2.7% on political uncertainty, global bond yields, and weak economic data; Konica Minolta gains 25% after activist investor...

Mark Chadwick

[Quiddity Index] Nikkei 225 Sep26 Rebal Results: 3 ADDs, 3 DELs, No New Rules Impact

The Sep26 Nikkei 225 Review turned out slightly different than expected. One change is a toss-up. The other is more of a question. The three ADDs...

Travis Lundy

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2026): Potential Adds, Deletes, Capping & Other Changes

We forecast 3 changes for the NKY in Sep and highlight potential changes. The introduction of a new sector and a new rule changes things a bit and...

Brian Freitas

[Japan Buyback] Canon's ¥200bn Buyback Is Almost Done - A Short Study

Most Canon buybacks in the past 15yrs have been high % of ADV, finishing early. The current one is lower impact. Previous buybacks have minimal...

Travis Lundy

PC demand is slowing as Dell and HP report lacklustre numbers, Keisei Electric Rail sells more Oriental Land shares, and Nikon's meeting leaves...

Nikkei 225 falls 2.7% on political uncertainty, global bond yields, and weak economic data; Konica Minolta gains 25% after activist investor...