Director, Head of Research, Smartkarma

Pranav Rao

Director, Head of Research

Smartkarma

Smartkarma unites the fragmented investment industry, connecting institutional investors, independent research providers, and corporates within a single network.

Research Reinvented

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Welcome to Curator’s Cut — a fortnightly roundup of standout themes from the 1,000+ insights shared on Smartkarma. After a brief one-issue break, we’re back with fresh perspectives.</li>
<li>In this cut, we explore Japan’s renewed defense ambitions, Asia’s eyewear evolution, and US diagnostics' next frontiers.</li>
<li>Want to dig deeper? Comment or message with the themes you’d like to see highlighted next</li>
</ul>


Welcome to Curator’s Cut — a fortnightly roundup of standout themes from the 1,000+ insights shared on Smartkarma. After a brief one-issue break, we’re back with fresh perspectives.
In this cut, we explore Japan’s renewed defense ambitions, Asia’s eyewear evolution, and US diagnostics' next frontiers.
Want to dig deeper? Comment or message with the themes you’d like to see highlighted next


Curator's Cut: Japan's Defense Drive, Asia's Vision Opportunities & US Diagnostics Picks

Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities

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.

<ul>
<li>New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP this fiscal year, two years ahead of the original schedule.</li>
<li>Takaichi also wants to accelerate investment in advanced defense technologies. IHI, which recently signed an agreement with ICEYE to build earth observations satellites, should be among the beneficiaries.</li>
<li>IHI's sales and profit comparisons should turn positive during FY Mar-26. A 7-for-1 stock split effective October 1, 2025, makes the shares more attractive to retail investors. </li>
</ul>


New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP this fiscal year, two years ahead of the original schedule.
Takaichi also wants to accelerate investment in advanced defense technologies. IHI, which recently signed an agreement with ICEYE to build earth observations satellites, should be among the beneficiaries.
IHI's sales and profit comparisons should turn positive during FY Mar-26. A 7-for-1 stock split effective October 1, 2025, makes the shares more attractive to retail investors. 


IHI (7013 JP): SAR Satellite Deal Adds to Takaichi Trade

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in margin trading positions of JPX stocks as of Oct 17th. The aggregated net margin trading position is USD18,404m.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top/bottom net long/short of margin trading by value, net margin buy as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight net margin buy/sell changes in IHI, Kobe Bussan, Advantest, Disco, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, SoftBank, Fujikura, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Recruit, Furukawa Electric, Ihi, Kobe Bussan, Advantest, Disco.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in margin trading positions of JPX stocks as of Oct 17th. The aggregated net margin trading position is USD18,404m.
We tabulate league tables for top/bottom net long/short of margin trading by value, net margin buy as multiple of ADT.
We highlight net margin buy/sell changes in IHI, Kobe Bussan, Advantest, Disco, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, SoftBank, Fujikura, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Recruit, Furukawa Electric, Ihi, Kobe Bussan, Advantest, Disco.


JPX Margin Trading Weekly (Oct 17th): IHI, Kobe Bussan, Advantest, Disco

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in margin trading positions of JPX stocks as of Oct 10th. The aggregated net margin trading position is USD17,836m.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top/bottom net long/short of margin trading by value, net margin buy as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight net margin buy/sell changes in IHI, SoftBank, Fast Retailing, Advantest, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Keyence, Nojima, Kobe Bussan, Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ihi, Softbank, Fast Retailing, Advantest.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in margin trading positions of JPX stocks as of Oct 10th. The aggregated net margin trading position is USD17,836m.
We tabulate league tables for top/bottom net long/short of margin trading by value, net margin buy as multiple of ADT.
We highlight net margin buy/sell changes in IHI, SoftBank, Fast Retailing, Advantest, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Keyence, Nojima, Kobe Bussan, Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ihi, Softbank, Fast Retailing, Advantest.


JPX Margin Trading Weekly (Oct 10th): IHI, SoftBank, Fast Retailing, Advantest

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

Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>After the recent rally, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ebara-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4728:1" rel="noopener">Ebara Corp (6361 JP)</a>'s increased market cap and free float market cap should result in inclusion in a global index in November.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ebara-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4728:1" rel="noopener">Ebara Corp (6361 JP)</a> has underperformed its larger peers, and the stock is trading cheaper than the average of its peers on most metrics.</li>
<li>There has been a large increase in cumulative excess volume for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ebara-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4728:1" rel="noopener">Ebara Corp (6361 JP)</a> since July and we do not see a similar increase in its peers.</li>
</ul>


After the recent rally, Ebara Corp (6361 JP)'s increased market cap and free float market cap should result in inclusion in a global index in November.

Ebara Corp (6361 JP) has underperformed its larger peers, and the stock is trading cheaper than the average of its peers on most metrics.
There has been a large increase in cumulative excess volume for Ebara Corp (6361 JP) since July and we do not see a similar increase in its peers.


Ebara (6361 JP): Global Index Inclusion & Increased Positioning

Japan

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. is a comprehensive heavy machinery maker. The Company manufactures machinery, ships, turbines and engines, prime movers, aircrafts, and machine parts for military and commercial use.  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries also researches and develops nuclear power plants.

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011 JP)

Curator's Cut: Japan's Defense Drive, Asia's Vision Opportunities & US Diagnostics Picks

Curator's Cut highlights Japan's defense ambitions, Asia's eyewear evolution, and US diagnostics' advancements. Share your thoughts on future...

Pranav Rao

IHI (7013 JP): SAR Satellite Deal Adds to Takaichi Trade

Japanese defense spending should rise more rapidly under PM Takaichi. That plus a satellite deal with ICEYE should provide new impetus for IHI,...

Scott Foster

JPX Margin Trading Weekly (Oct 17th): IHI, Kobe Bussan, Advantest, Disco

We analyzed JPX margin trading positions report for the past week and highlighted IHI (7013 JP), Kobe Bussan (3038 JP), Advantest (6857 JP), Disco...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

JPX Margin Trading Weekly (Oct 10th): IHI, SoftBank, Fast Retailing, Advantest

We analyzed JPX margin trading positions report for the past week and highlighted IHI (7013 JP), SoftBank (9984 JP), Fast Retailing (9983 JP),...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Ebara (6361 JP): Global Index Inclusion & Increased Positioning

Ebara should be added to a global index in November. The stock has moved higher but still trades cheaper than its peers. There has been increased...

Brian Freitas

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Curator's Cut: Japan's Defense Drive, Asia's Vision Opportunities & US Diagnostics Picks

​Curator's Cut highlights Japan's defense ambitions, Asia's eyewear evolution, and US diagnostics' advancements. Share your thoughts on future...

Pranav Rao

IHI (7013 JP): SAR Satellite Deal Adds to Takaichi Trade

Japanese defense spending should rise more rapidly under PM Takaichi. That plus a satellite deal with ICEYE should provide new impetus for IHI,...

Scott Foster

JPX Margin Trading Weekly (Oct 17th): IHI, Kobe Bussan, Advantest, Disco

We analyzed JPX margin trading positions report for the past week and highlighted IHI (7013 JP), Kobe Bussan (3038 JP), Advantest (6857 JP), Disco...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

JPX Margin Trading Weekly (Oct 10th): IHI, SoftBank, Fast Retailing, Advantest

We analyzed JPX margin trading positions report for the past week and highlighted IHI (7013 JP), SoftBank (9984 JP), Fast Retailing (9983 JP),...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Ebara (6361 JP): Global Index Inclusion & Increased Positioning

Ebara should be added to a global index in November. The stock has moved higher but still trades cheaper than its peers. There has been increased...

Brian Freitas

Curator's Cut highlights Japan's defense ambitions, Asia's eyewear evolution, and US diagnostics' advancements. Share your thoughts on future...