Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

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

Pan Pacific International Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation reported its 3QFY2019 results on 8<sup>th</sup> May 2019, Pan Pacific’s first results release post-acquisition of more than 180 UNY stores from FamilyMart UNY Holdings.  The company managed to grow its revenues by 68.8% YoY in 3QFY2019 mainly through this acquisition of FamilyMart’s UNY stores. Operating profit was also up by 50.9% YoY during the same time period, However, the operating margin declined by about 48bps YoY in 3QFY2019 due to the lower margin nature of the acquired UNY stores.</p>

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation reported its 3QFY2019 results on 8th May 2019, Pan Pacific’s first results release post-acquisition of more than 180 UNY stores from FamilyMart UNY Holdings.  The company managed to grow its revenues by 68.8% YoY in 3QFY2019 mainly through this acquisition of FamilyMart’s UNY stores. Operating profit was also up by 50.9% YoY during the same time period, However, the operating margin declined by about 48bps YoY in 3QFY2019 due to the lower margin nature of the acquired UNY stores.

Don Quijote: 3QFY2019 Results, Revenue Falls Short While OP Exceeds Consensus Estimates

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. 

<p>Lawson is opening up its store and logistics network to provide a customer returns service to third-party vendors, affirming its role as a hub for e-commerce transactions.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> The move follows the expansion of Lawson's online food service, Loppick.</span></p>

Lawson is opening up its store and logistics network to provide a customer returns service to third-party vendors, affirming its role as a hub for e-commerce transactions. The move follows the expansion of Lawson's online food service, Loppick.

Lawson Offers Customer Returns Service to Online Vendors Cementing CVS Role in E-Commerce

'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. 

Quantitative Analysis

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/347/original/2019-04-20_09-59-40.png?1555722056" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85347"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>UnCh</strong> - Japanese equities are unchanged in US dollar terms over both three and six months. The Bank of Japan has intervened on 42 of the 121 trading days since October 22nd or an average of 1.6 times a week as foreigners remain underweight. As corporate results and macro data continue to disappoint, the outlook for the market is muted ahead of the upcoming ten-day holiday which combines the traditional Golden Week holidays with the accession of the new Emperor and the beginning of the Reiwa era (令和時代).  </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/405/original/2019-04-21_07-28-03.png?1555799330" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85405"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Investing.com</div><p><strong>CURRENCY RISK?</strong> - "UnCh" also applies to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/22826" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22826:1">JPY (USDJPY CURNCY)</a>  Implied volatility for 9-month USDJPY options reached a new 25-year low last week of 6.11. The previous two lows were in 2006 and 2015 and were followed by periods of sustained Yen strength. The equity market currently appears to be discounting precisely the opposite.   </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/350/original/2019-04-20_10-21-58.png?1555723331" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85350"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>VTR</strong> - The ratio of the value of stocks traded to the total market value continues to decline. The average for 2019 is 11% below that for the same period last year and is unchanged at 39bps in each month year-to-date.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/381/original/2019-04-20_14-34-11.png?1555738458" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85381"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>VOLUME SCORE TIMELINE</strong> - Volumes have been highest in the <strong>Internet</strong>, <strong>Retail</strong>, and<strong> Telecoms</strong> sectors, while the <strong>Materials</strong>,<strong> Transportation</strong>, <strong>Utilities</strong> and<strong> Real Estate</strong> Sectors have seen the lowest.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/352/original/2019-04-20_10-29-59.png?1555723806" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85352"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>LOWS &gt; HIGHS</strong> - With a deficit of positive news at the individual company level, the number of new 52-week highs has exceeded the number of new 52-week lows on only one-third of the last 31 trading days. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/363/original/2019-04-20_12-34-06.png?1555731278" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85363"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>DRIFTING LOWER</strong> - TTM and Forecasts Aggregate Operating and Net Income continue to drift lower ahead of the full-year results for March year-end companies which are due in a more-concentrated-than-usual period either side of the long break.   </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/384/original/2019-04-20_17-30-47.png?1555749055" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85384"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics <p></p>
</div><p><strong>MIND THE GAP</strong> - Based on our Scoring methodology for aggregate Results &amp; Revisions, the 'gap' between total market value and earnings momentum is now as wide as at the two previous 'peaks' in January 2018 and September 2018.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/435/original/File%202019-04-21%2015%2055%2018.jpeg?1555829876" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85435"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Bank of America Merrill Lynch</div><p><strong>GLOBAL WAVE</strong> - The market is implying that the earnings cycle is close to a bottom which is in accord with BAML's Global Earnings Revision Ratio having ticked up last month for the first time in 14 months. BAML has yet to call a Trough in their Global Wave and, were they to do so, such a Trough would be the first above '50' since 2006.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/378/original/2019-04-20_14-00-43.png?1555736454" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85378"></figure><p><strong>FORECASTS LEADING EARNINGS LOWER</strong> - Separating our the Results Score and the Forecast &amp; Revision Score, the latter is continuing to lead the former to the downside, although both Scores are in aggregate still positive. Reported earnings and forecasts are still growing year-on-year; however, the momentum is slowing rapidly.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/379/original/2019-04-20_14-04-23.png?1555736670" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85379"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>INTERIM LEADING ANNUAL LOWER</strong> -  Between February and September in each year, there is a statistically significant number of Interim Forecasts that they can be compared to the Annual Forecasts with which they are combined to derive the score in the previous chart. Interim Forecasts are often prepared by the divisional heads are not accorded the same 'reverence' as the Annual Forecasts. As a result, the Interim numbers offer a good leading indicator of short-term trends. In recent weeks, the aggregate Interim Forecast/Revision Score has turned sharply lower and is now at the lowest point in almost two years.   </p><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we will review Sector performance, company results, revisions and stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/14191" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14191:1">Koshidaka (2157 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/2765" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2765:1">Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)</a>, <strong>Drugstores</strong>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/237" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:237:1">Daiwa House (1925 JP)</a>, <strong>Toyota Parts companies</strong>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2:1">Yamato Holdings (9064 JP)</a>.</p>

Source: Japan AnalyticsUnCh - Japanese equities are unchanged in US dollar terms over both three and six months. The Bank of Japan has intervened on 42 of the 121 trading days since October 22nd or an average of 1.6 times a week as foreigners remain underweight. As corporate results and macro data continue to disappoint, the outlook for the market is muted ahead of the upcoming ten-day holiday which combines the traditional Golden Week holidays with the accession of the new Emperor and the beginning of the Reiwa era (令和時代).  Source: Investing.comCURRENCY RISK? - "UnCh" also applies to JPY (USDJPY CURNCY)  Implied volatility for 9-month USDJPY options reached a new 25-year low last week of 6.11. The previous two lows were in 2006 and 2015 and were followed by periods of sustained Yen strength. The equity market currently appears to be discounting precisely the opposite.   Source: Japan AnalyticsVTR - The ratio of the value of stocks traded to the total market value continues to decline. The average for 2019 is 11% below that for the same period last year and is unchanged at 39bps in each month year-to-date.Source: Japan AnalyticsVOLUME SCORE TIMELINE - Volumes have been highest in the Internet, Retail, and Telecoms sectors, while the Materials, Transportation, Utilities and Real Estate Sectors have seen the lowest.Source: Japan AnalyticsLOWS &gt; HIGHS - With a deficit of positive news at the individual company level, the number of new 52-week highs has exceeded the number of new 52-week lows on only one-third of the last 31 trading days. Source: Japan AnalyticsDRIFTING LOWER - TTM and Forecasts Aggregate Operating and Net Income continue to drift lower ahead of the full-year results for March year-end companies which are due in a more-concentrated-than-usual period either side of the long break.   Source: Japan Analytics 
MIND THE GAP - Based on our Scoring methodology for aggregate Results &amp; Revisions, the 'gap' between total market value and earnings momentum is now as wide as at the two previous 'peaks' in January 2018 and September 2018.Source: Bank of America Merrill LynchGLOBAL WAVE - The market is implying that the earnings cycle is close to a bottom which is in accord with BAML's Global Earnings Revision Ratio having ticked up last month for the first time in 14 months. BAML has yet to call a Trough in their Global Wave and, were they to do so, such a Trough would be the first above '50' since 2006.FORECASTS LEADING EARNINGS LOWER - Separating our the Results Score and the Forecast &amp; Revision Score, the latter is continuing to lead the former to the downside, although both Scores are in aggregate still positive. Reported earnings and forecasts are still growing year-on-year; however, the momentum is slowing rapidly.Source: Japan AnalyticsINTERIM LEADING ANNUAL LOWER -  Between February and September in each year, there is a statistically significant number of Interim Forecasts that they can be compared to the Annual Forecasts with which they are combined to derive the score in the previous chart. Interim Forecasts are often prepared by the divisional heads are not accorded the same 'reverence' as the Annual Forecasts. As a result, the Interim numbers offer a good leading indicator of short-term trends. In recent weeks, the aggregate Interim Forecast/Revision Score has turned sharply lower and is now at the lowest point in almost two years.   In the DETAIL section below, we will review Sector performance, company results, revisions and stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on Koshidaka (2157 JP), Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP), Drugstores, Daiwa House (1925 JP), Toyota Parts companies, and Yamato Holdings (9064 JP).

🇯🇵 Japan • Fortnightly Update - "UnCh"

<ul>
<li>Japanese Retail is in a secular decline: There are areas in retail that are worse affected than the rest</li>
<li>Falling foot traffic: The biggest problem for Japanese retail</li>
<li>Don Quijote’s recent history and growth potential</li>
<li>Attracting shoppers from multiple store formats helps Don Quijote to expand its target market</li>
<li>Don Quijote is least affected from slowdown in Chinese tourist spending</li>
<li>FamilyMart UNY store conversions to contribute to revenue and EBIT growth over the next five years</li>
<li>New store openings to cap at 25 per year because of UNY store conversions</li>
<li>Valuation: Market unjustly penalized Don Quijote for the UNY acquisition</li>
<li>Change in retail landscape to help make Don Quijote the “DON” in Japanese retail</li>
</ul>


Japanese Retail is in a secular decline: There are areas in retail that are worse affected than the rest
Falling foot traffic: The biggest problem for Japanese retail
Don Quijote’s recent history and growth potential
Attracting shoppers from multiple store formats helps Don Quijote to expand its target market
Don Quijote is least affected from slowdown in Chinese tourist spending
FamilyMart UNY store conversions to contribute to revenue and EBIT growth over the next five years
New store openings to cap at 25 per year because of UNY store conversions
Valuation: Market unjustly penalized Don Quijote for the UNY acquisition
Change in retail landscape to help make Don Quijote the “DON” in Japanese retail


Pan Pacific/Don Quijote: Bringing Joy into Shopping

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>E-commerce is set to account for 15% of retail sales in 2025, double the size of any other channel, and become the biggest channel for physical merchandise by 2023.</p>
<p>However, recent research, which considers online sales in a store context, suggests that already in 2016-17, 35.3% of all retail sales were at least partly a result of online interactions through an omnichannel process.</p>
<p>By 2024, total EC sales including omnichannel transactions are expected to hit 44.6% of all retail sales or approximately ¥76.4 trillion.</p>

E-commerce is set to account for 15% of retail sales in 2025, double the size of any other channel, and become the biggest channel for physical merchandise by 2023.
However, recent research, which considers online sales in a store context, suggests that already in 2016-17, 35.3% of all retail sales were at least partly a result of online interactions through an omnichannel process.
By 2024, total EC sales including omnichannel transactions are expected to hit 44.6% of all retail sales or approximately ¥76.4 trillion.

Japan E-Commerce: Digital to Influence 45% of All Retail Sales by 2025

Japan

LAWSON, INC. operates a chain of convenience stores in Japan. The Company sells a variety of products including fast food, beverages, snacks, magazines, newspapers, and sundry goods.

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Lawson Inc (2651 JP)

Don Quijote: 3QFY2019 Results, Revenue Falls Short While OP Exceeds Consensus Estimates

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation reported its 3QFY2019 results on 8th May 2019, Pan Pacific’s first results release post-acquisition...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Lawson Offers Customer Returns Service to Online Vendors Cementing CVS Role in E-Commerce

Lawson is opening up its store and logistics network to provide a customer returns service to third-party vendors, affirming its role as a hub for...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 Japan • Fortnightly Update - "UnCh"

UnCh - Japanese equities are unchanged in US dollar terms over both three and six months. The Bank of Japan has intervened on 42 of the 121 trading...

Campbell Gunn

Pan Pacific/Don Quijote: Bringing Joy into Shopping

Japanese Retail is in a secular decline: There are areas in retail that are worse affected than the rest Falling foot traffic: The biggest problem...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Japan E-Commerce: Digital to Influence 45% of All Retail Sales by 2025

E-commerce is set to account for 15% of retail sales in 2025, double the size of any other channel, and become the biggest channel for physical...

Michael Causton

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