HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Capital Markets

Chaozhou Three-Circle / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chaozhou-three-circle-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:50297:1" rel="noopener">Chaozhou Three-Circle (6951 HK)</a>, a key player in electronic ceramic materials and components, will benefit from the demand and scenario upgrades in downstream sectors.</li>
<li>For FY25-28, it will generate an EPS CAGR of 26%, fueled by both revenue growth and margin expansion. Its 1Q26 earnings have already surged by 48.5%.</li>
<li>At the maximum IPO price of HK$100.30, the H-share is priced at a steep 49% HA discount. Re-rating to the global average FY26 PER will give a 21.3% upside.</li>
</ul>



Chaozhou Three-Circle (6951 HK), a key player in electronic ceramic materials and components, will benefit from the demand and scenario upgrades in downstream sectors.
For FY25-28, it will generate an EPS CAGR of 26%, fueled by both revenue growth and margin expansion. Its 1Q26 earnings have already surged by 48.5%.
At the maximum IPO price of HK$100.30, the H-share is priced at a steep 49% HA discount. Re-rating to the global average FY26 PER will give a 21.3% upside.


Chaozhou Three-Circle (6951 HK) IPO: Priced Nicely

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks, Windamee Research

J. Brian Waterhouse

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks

Windamee Research

Japanese Banks

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Stock markets around the world have been reaching record levels, thanks to the unprecedented amounts of money being pumped into the financial markets by the advanced nations’ central banks in a bid to offset the economic damage caused by COVID-19.  In Japan, too, the Topix Index finished 2020 at 1804.68, just off its high-point for the year and up a very modest 4.8% YoY after plummeting around 500 points in March.
For investors in Japanese bank stocks, however, it was another year of pain: the Topix Bank Index closed 2020 down 21.7% YoY.  Moreover, just 5 bank stocks out of the total of 92 showed positive gains YoY.  All 7 major Japanese banks showed YoY declines: the ‘best-performer’ was down 21.1% YoY, with the average major bank YoY decline exceeding 25%.  By the end of 2020, 13 Japanese bank stocks had lost over one-third of their value, although they had been considerably lower earlier in the year.
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</section>
2021 commences with bank lending at near record-high levels after a record surge in lending, a mountain of cash on deposit that the banks are struggling to deploy profitably, exceptionally low loan to deposit (LDR) ratios, margins under pressure, profits under pressure and, for many banks, dividends under pressure as well.  None of this is likely to boost investor confidence in Japanese bank stocks.
Business models need to be reinvented to properly incorporate the new digital era, branches amalgamated or closed, and staff reduced.  This will take time and be costly.
Meanwhile, two banks have already suggested that they will likely make consolidated net losses in FY3/3021, with others perhaps to follow as we approach the end of the fiscal year in March.
2021 will also see a handful of regional bank mergers; indeed, this has already started with the first on 1 January 2021, creating the Daishi Hokuetsu Bank (part of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daishi-hokuetsu-financial-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27533:1" rel="noopener">Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP)</a> ).  While these will be welcomed by the Suga Administration, which is actively encouraging a reduction in the number of regional banks, especially in the more rural parts of the country, there is no guarantee that the surviving entities will be any more profitable or efficient than their predecessors.
Then there is the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to cause social lockdowns, economic disruption, and financial uncertainty aside from its devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of humankind.  All of this still needs to be properly discounted in Japanese bank share prices.  We anticipate further share price weakness in many Japanese banks in 2021.
“Caveat Emptor!” (May the Buyer Beware) remains our advice to would-be investors in Japanese bank stocks for 2021 and beyond.

Stock markets around the world have been reaching record levels, thanks to the unprecedented amounts of money being pumped into the financial markets by the advanced nations’ central banks in a bid to offset the economic damage caused by COVID-19.  In Japan, too, the Topix Index finished 2020 at 1804.68, just off its high-point for the year and up a very modest 4.8% YoY after plummeting around 500 points in March.
For investors in Japanese bank stocks, however, it was another year of pain: the Topix Bank Index closed 2020 down 21.7% YoY.  Moreover, just 5 bank stocks out of the total of 92 showed positive gains YoY.  All 7 major Japanese banks showed YoY declines: the ‘best-performer’ was down 21.1% YoY, with the average major bank YoY decline exceeding 25%.  By the end of 2020, 13 Japanese bank stocks had lost over one-third of their value, although they had been considerably lower earlier in the year.




2021 commences with bank lending at near record-high levels after a record surge in lending, a mountain of cash on deposit that the banks are struggling to deploy profitably, exceptionally low loan to deposit (LDR) ratios, margins under pressure, profits under pressure and, for many banks, dividends under pressure as well.  None of this is likely to boost investor confidence in Japanese bank stocks.
Business models need to be reinvented to properly incorporate the new digital era, branches amalgamated or closed, and staff reduced.  This will take time and be costly.
Meanwhile, two banks have already suggested that they will likely make consolidated net losses in FY3/3021, with others perhaps to follow as we approach the end of the fiscal year in March.
2021 will also see a handful of regional bank mergers; indeed, this has already started with the first on 1 January 2021, creating the Daishi Hokuetsu Bank (part of the Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP) ).  While these will be welcomed by the Suga Administration, which is actively encouraging a reduction in the number of regional banks, especially in the more rural parts of the country, there is no guarantee that the surviving entities will be any more profitable or efficient than their predecessors.
Then there is the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to cause social lockdowns, economic disruption, and financial uncertainty aside from its devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of humankind.  All of this still needs to be properly discounted in Japanese bank share prices.  We anticipate further share price weakness in many Japanese banks in 2021.
“Caveat Emptor!” (May the Buyer Beware) remains our advice to would-be investors in Japanese bank stocks for 2021 and beyond.

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

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.

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<div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables unless otherwise stated: Japan Analytics</div>
SHORT TENURE - Since 1979 the average prime ministerial tenure in Japan has been 750 days. Excluding the three longest-serving Prime Ministers of the last forty years - Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2 - the average is 494 days. The equity market has favoured long-serving Liberal Democratic Party government (marked in light green above) and disliked periods of coalition or opposition (野党 yatō) government and also tenures of less than eighteen months.
PM SUGA - Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide succeeded former Prime Minister Abe on 16th September the latter having stepped down for health reasons. Suga had served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (内閣官房長官, Naikaku-kanbō-chōkan) for all of Abe's premiership. The continuity offered by Suga's elevation provides Japan with the prospect of an extended period of political stability. From his policy statements made during the brief prime-ministerial election campaign, Suga has bold aims for challenging Japan's economic and social ills. Given his previous role and mastery of the balance between political necessities and bureaucratic realities, the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy and stock market.
<hr>
In the DETAIL below, we shall cover the following topics:-
I: SUGA's BACKGROUND &amp; POLITICAL CAREER
II: POLICY PRIORITIES
Defence &amp; Foreign Policy
Economic Policy
Administrative Reform
The Digital Agency
Telecommunications Services
Birth-rate and Fertility Treatment
Regional Revitalisation &amp; Regional Bank Reform
SME restructuring
Carbon Neutrality &amp; A Nuclear Renaissance
III: SUGA STOCKS RECOMMENDATIONS
<hr>
WHAT'S ORIGINAL? - This Insight reviews the implications of PM Suga's policy platform for specific sectors and stocks in the Japanse equity market and concludes with five long and five short recommendations for large-cap growth and value-orientated portfolios.  
<hr>
<blockquote class="">
"Self-help, mutual help, public help, and "kizuna" (bonds) is our vision for society. With that in mind, we firmly believe, overcoming various issues, such as regional revitalization and the shrinking population, as well as the declining birth-rate and aging society, will create dynamism in Japan. To this end, we will meet the people's expectations by giving birth to a "Cabinet that works for the People," which gives its all to advance regulatory reforms without being constrained by the vested interests of the stakeholders, tearing down bureaucratic sectionalism and the notorious habit of following past precedents.
<h3>Statement of the Prime Minister</h3>
September 16th, 2020
</blockquote>


Source for all charts &amp; tables unless otherwise stated: Japan Analytics
SHORT TENURE - Since 1979 the average prime ministerial tenure in Japan has been 750 days. Excluding the three longest-serving Prime Ministers of the last forty years - Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2 - the average is 494 days. The equity market has favoured long-serving Liberal Democratic Party government (marked in light green above) and disliked periods of coalition or opposition (野党 yatō) government and also tenures of less than eighteen months.
PM SUGA - Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide succeeded former Prime Minister Abe on 16th September the latter having stepped down for health reasons. Suga had served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (内閣官房長官, Naikaku-kanbō-chōkan) for all of Abe's premiership. The continuity offered by Suga's elevation provides Japan with the prospect of an extended period of political stability. From his policy statements made during the brief prime-ministerial election campaign, Suga has bold aims for challenging Japan's economic and social ills. Given his previous role and mastery of the balance between political necessities and bureaucratic realities, the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy and stock market.

In the DETAIL below, we shall cover the following topics:-
I: SUGA's BACKGROUND &amp; POLITICAL CAREER
II: POLICY PRIORITIES
Defence &amp; Foreign Policy
Economic Policy
Administrative Reform
The Digital Agency
Telecommunications Services
Birth-rate and Fertility Treatment
Regional Revitalisation &amp; Regional Bank Reform
SME restructuring
Carbon Neutrality &amp; A Nuclear Renaissance
III: SUGA STOCKS RECOMMENDATIONS

WHAT'S ORIGINAL? - This Insight reviews the implications of PM Suga's policy platform for specific sectors and stocks in the Japanse equity market and concludes with five long and five short recommendations for large-cap growth and value-orientated portfolios.  


"Self-help, mutual help, public help, and "kizuna" (bonds) is our vision for society. With that in mind, we firmly believe, overcoming various issues, such as regional revitalization and the shrinking population, as well as the declining birth-rate and aging society, will create dynamism in Japan. To this end, we will meet the people's expectations by giving birth to a "Cabinet that works for the People," which gives its all to advance regulatory reforms without being constrained by the vested interests of the stakeholders, tearing down bureaucratic sectionalism and the notorious habit of following past precedents.
Statement of the Prime Minister
September 16th, 2020


🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

<div>• BEST &amp; WORST •</div>Our best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fanuc-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:752:1" rel="noopener">Fanuc (6954 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/omron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15904:1" rel="noopener">Omron (6645 JP)</a>. <section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/168/334/original/2020-10-30_06-23-20.png?1604006632" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="168334"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/168/335/original/2020-10-30_06-29-10.png?1604006963" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="168335"></figure></section><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div><hr><div>DAILY STATS</div><hr><div>156 Quarterly Results</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Results Score: 51% Positive / 4% Neutral / 45% Negative</li>
<li>Average Results Score Change: +0.2 points</li>
<li>Average % Change in Revenue: -5.7% Quarter YoY / -5.3% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.1ppt</li>
<li>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 15%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div>84 Annual • 35 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 45% Positive / 6% Neutral / 51% Negative</li>
<li>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 51% Positive / 3% Neutral / 46% Negative</li>
<li>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -0.0 points</li>
</ul></div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •Our best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is Fanuc (6954 JP) and Omron (6645 JP). Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsDAILY STATS156 Quarterly Results
Results Score: 51% Positive / 4% Neutral / 45% Negative
Average Results Score Change: +0.2 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -5.7% Quarter YoY / -5.3% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.1ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 15%
84 Annual • 35 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 45% Positive / 6% Neutral / 51% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 51% Positive / 3% Neutral / 46% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -0.0 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​29 - Fanuc, Takeda, Panasonic, Kyocera

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/130/058/original/2020-04-28_05-09-49.png?1588018213" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="130058"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>THE 'UNLIMTED' BANK OF JAPAN - The Bank of Japan's well-telegraphed announcement that they will be free of any constraints in their purchases of fixed income securities had limited impact on the exchange rate and bond markets. In practice, the central bank is limited by the lack of availability of JGBs and yields already being current at their target rate of zero. However, the extension of the BoJ remit to cover corporate bonds and even 'household debt' did prompt short-covering of indebted deep cyclical sectors of the equity market. There were no new purchases of ETFs yesterday.FORECAST REVISION SCORE &lt; RESULTS SCORE - Our Forecast/Revision Score has been higher than our Results Score since February as companies with December year-ends released bullish forecasts for 2020. Many of these forecasts are now being revised down or, as in the case of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon  (7751 JP)</a>, are being withdrawn.  This Score 'crossover' has been bearish for equities over the past decade, and we would require the reverse for a medium or long-term 'buy' signal for Japanese equities. One caveat is the large number of companies forgoing making initial forecasts for FY2021. Yesterday, only seventeen of the forty-four annual results declarations were accompanied by new forecasts. In the DETAIL below, we shall review Monday's large-cap results, revisions and initial forecast announcements.  The positive/neutral/negative balance for the 52 results was 23:5:24; and for the 50 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 22:2:26. Four companies, including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/stanley-electric-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1330:1" rel="noopener">Stanley Electric (6923 JP)</a>  cut their dividends; two increased.

Source • Japan AnalyticsTHE 'UNLIMTED' BANK OF JAPAN - The Bank of Japan's well-telegraphed announcement that they will be free of any constraints in their purchases of fixed income securities had limited impact on the exchange rate and bond markets. In practice, the central bank is limited by the lack of availability of JGBs and yields already being current at their target rate of zero. However, the extension of the BoJ remit to cover corporate bonds and even 'household debt' did prompt short-covering of indebted deep cyclical sectors of the equity market. There were no new purchases of ETFs yesterday.FORECAST REVISION SCORE &lt; RESULTS SCORE - Our Forecast/Revision Score has been higher than our Results Score since February as companies with December year-ends released bullish forecasts for 2020. Many of these forecasts are now being revised down or, as in the case of Canon  (7751 JP), are being withdrawn.  This Score 'crossover' has been bearish for equities over the past decade, and we would require the reverse for a medium or long-term 'buy' signal for Japanese equities. One caveat is the large number of companies forgoing making initial forecasts for FY2021. Yesterday, only seventeen of the forty-four annual results declarations were accompanied by new forecasts. In the DETAIL below, we shall review Monday's large-cap results, revisions and initial forecast announcements.  The positive/neutral/negative balance for the 52 results was 23:5:24; and for the 50 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 22:2:26. Four companies, including Stanley Electric (6923 JP)  cut their dividends; two increased. 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 28th April - The 'Unlimited' BoJ + Panasonic, T.Yuden, Kao, Kyocera

Japan

Kyocera Corporation manufacturers electronic equipment and components. The Company's products include telecommunication equipment, information equipment, optical equipment, ceramic products, semiconductor parts, chips, hybrid integrated circuits, thermal printheads, image sensors, liquid crystal displays, and connectors. Kyocera operates worldwide.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
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Kyocera Corp (6971 JP)

Chaozhou Three-Circle (6951 HK) IPO: Priced Nicely

Chaozhou Three-Circle is poised to gain from the demand and scenario upgrades in downstream sectors. It has an encouraging earnings outlook and a...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Japanese Banks: Ever Lower

For investors in Japanese bank stocks, 2020 was another year of pain. The sector fell almost 22% YoY; only 5 bank stocks out of 92 registered YoY...

J. Brian Waterhouse

🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

We believe the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/29 - Fanuc, Takeda, Panasonic, Kyocera

• BEST & WORST • Our best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is Fanuc (6954 JP) and Omron (6645 JP). Source for all charts & tables:...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 28th April - The 'Unlimited' BoJ + Panasonic, T.Yuden, Kao, Kyocera

THE 'UNLIMTED' BANK OF JAPAN - The Bank of Japan's well-telegraphed announcement that they will be free of any constraints in their purchases of...

Campbell Gunn

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Chaozhou Three-Circle (6951 HK) IPO: Priced Nicely

​Chaozhou Three-Circle is poised to gain from the demand and scenario upgrades in downstream sectors. It has an encouraging earnings outlook and a...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Japanese Banks: Ever Lower

For investors in Japanese bank stocks, 2020 was another year of pain. The sector fell almost 22% YoY; only 5 bank stocks out of 92 registered YoY...

J. Brian Waterhouse

🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

We believe the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​29 - Fanuc, Takeda, Panasonic, Kyocera

• BEST & WORST • Our best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is Fanuc (6954 JP) and Omron (6645 JP). Source for all charts & tables:...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 28th April - The 'Unlimited' BoJ + Panasonic, T.Yuden, Kao, Kyocera

THE 'UNLIMTED' BANK OF JAPAN - The Bank of Japan's well-telegraphed announcement that they will be free of any constraints in their purchases of...

Campbell Gunn

Chaozhou Three-Circle is poised to gain from the demand and scenario upgrades in downstream sectors. It has an encouraging earnings outlook and a...

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/29 - Fanuc, Takeda, Panasonic, Kyocera