Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Tailwinds are turning to headwinds for the Japanese Trading companies.</li>
<li>Risks rising in the short term due to JPY strength, weakening commodity prices and the upcoming US recession.</li>
<li>Massive outperformance over the last two years, most recently due to multiple expansion</li>
</ul>


Tailwinds are turning to headwinds for the Japanese Trading companies.
Risks rising in the short term due to JPY strength, weakening commodity prices and the upcoming US recession.
Massive outperformance over the last two years, most recently due to multiple expansion


Risks Ahead for Japanese Trading Companies. Marubeni, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Mitsubishi

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20668:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)</a> yesterday announced earnings, forecast for FY23, higher dividend guidance, and a buyback. The headline number is 6% of shares and ¥300bn (which is nearer 4% now).</li>
<li>¥200bn of that ¥300bn is actually FY2022 "Additional Return" tacked onto a ¥100bn buyback for this year (FY23).  </li>
<li>As is often the case, Shareholder Structure Matters. Because Berkshire Hathaway owns a large chunk of stock (7.4% according to interviews), that carves out a fair chunk not for sale.</li>
</ul>



Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP) yesterday announced earnings, forecast for FY23, higher dividend guidance, and a buyback. The headline number is 6% of shares and ¥300bn (which is nearer 4% now).
¥200bn of that ¥300bn is actually FY2022 "Additional Return" tacked onto a ¥100bn buyback for this year (FY23).  
As is often the case, Shareholder Structure Matters. Because Berkshire Hathaway owns a large chunk of stock (7.4% according to interviews), that carves out a fair chunk not for sale.


MitCorp (8058 JP) Earnings and Buyback - Shareholder Structure Matters

Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ihh-healthcare-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:876:1" rel="noopener">IHH Healthcare (IHH MK)</a> reported 11% YoY revenue growth in its core hospital and healthcare business in 4Q22, mainly driven by higher inpatient admissions in most of the hospitals.  </li>
<li>In November 2022, India’s stock exchange regulator SEBI has advised IHH to proceed with the open offer for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fortis-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:881:1" rel="noopener">Fortis Healthcare (FORH IN)</a> to acquire 26.1% stake after obtaining court permission.</li>
<li>IHH is cautiously optimistic of robust growth from its core business with the return of local and foreign patients to its hospitals.</li>
</ul>



IHH Healthcare (IHH MK) reported 11% YoY revenue growth in its core hospital and healthcare business in 4Q22, mainly driven by higher inpatient admissions in most of the hospitals.  
In November 2022, India’s stock exchange regulator SEBI has advised IHH to proceed with the open offer for Fortis Healthcare (FORH IN) to acquire 26.1% stake after obtaining court permission.
IHH is cautiously optimistic of robust growth from its core business with the return of local and foreign patients to its hospitals.


IHH Healthcare (IHH MK): Core Business Recovery; Fortis Open Offer to Come Soon

Global Materials | Industrials | Commodities

Rahul Jain

<ul>
<li>Precious and energy-transition metals lead as structural scarcity, central-bank demand, and electrification support gold, silver, copper, aluminium, zinc, and rare earths into 2026.</li>
<li>Bulks and hydrocarbons lag with weak China demand, oversupply, and compressed margins across iron ore, nickel, steel, coal, and crude, keeping the segment firmly underweight.</li>
<li>Top Asia exposures include Zijin, Korea Zinc, Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta, CMOC, JXAM, SMM, Mitsui, Jiangxi Copper, NALCO, Hongqiao, Hindalco, Shenghe, and CNRE.</li>
</ul>


Precious and energy-transition metals lead as structural scarcity, central-bank demand, and electrification support gold, silver, copper, aluminium, zinc, and rare earths into 2026.
Bulks and hydrocarbons lag with weak China demand, oversupply, and compressed margins across iron ore, nickel, steel, coal, and crude, keeping the segment firmly underweight.
Top Asia exposures include Zijin, Korea Zinc, Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta, CMOC, JXAM, SMM, Mitsui, Jiangxi Copper, NALCO, Hongqiao, Hindalco, Shenghe, and CNRE.


Asia Metals Outlook 2026: Scarcity Favours Gold, Copper, Aluminium

David Blennerhassett

<ul>
<li>In <a href="https://skr.ma/wK6xN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First Pacific (142 HK): Maynilad's IPO Price Firmed</a>, I discussed Maynilad's upcoming IPO, a company controlled by MPIC, which in turn, is controlled by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/first-pacific-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:173:1" rel="noopener">First Pacific Co (142 HK)</a>.</li>
<li>Since that note, I have tracked down Maynilad's elusive prospectus.</li>
<li>This insight is largely a rehash of yesterday's note, together with updated numbers applying prospectus figures. I thought this warranted a fresh insight as opposed to a boomerang.</li>
</ul>


In First Pacific (142 HK): Maynilad's IPO Price Firmed, I discussed Maynilad's upcoming IPO, a company controlled by MPIC, which in turn, is controlled by First Pacific Co (142 HK).
Since that note, I have tracked down Maynilad's elusive prospectus.
This insight is largely a rehash of yesterday's note, together with updated numbers applying prospectus figures. I thought this warranted a fresh insight as opposed to a boomerang.


First Pacific (142 HK): Maynilad's IPO (Now With Prospectus Numbers)

Japan

MITSUI & CO., LTD. is a general trading company.  The Company has operating groups including Iron and Steel, Non-Ferrous Metals, Machinery, Chemicals, Foods, Energy, Textiles, and General Merchandise.  Mitsui also operates real estate and overseas development projects.

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Mitsui & Co Ltd (8031 JP)

Risks Ahead for Japanese Trading Companies. Marubeni, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Mitsubishi

The investment thesis is starting to work as the reasoning behind the trade is playing out as the Japanese Yen strengthens.

Rikki Malik

MitCorp (8058 JP) Earnings and Buyback - Shareholder Structure Matters

MitCorp announced good earnings, a lower FY23 forecast (expected as commodity-related over-profitability falls back), and a large buyback. It is...

Travis Lundy

IHH Healthcare (IHH MK): Core Business Recovery; Fortis Open Offer to Come Soon

IHH reported 11% YoY and 7% QoQ revenue growth in hospital and healthcare business, driven by higher inpatient admissions. The company has got...

Tina Banerjee

Asia Metals Outlook 2026: Scarcity Favours Gold, Copper, Aluminium

Precious and energy-transition metals set to outperform bulks and hydrocarbons through 2026, with top Asia exposures including Zijin, Korea Zinc,...

Rahul Jain

First Pacific (142 HK): Maynilad's IPO (Now With Prospectus Numbers)

This insight is largely a rehash of yesterday's note, together with updated numbers applying prospectus figures. I thought this warranted a fresh...

David Blennerhassett

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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Risks Ahead for Japanese Trading Companies. Marubeni, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Mitsubishi

The investment thesis is starting to work as the reasoning behind the trade is playing out as the Japanese Yen strengthens.

Rikki Malik

MitCorp (8058 JP) Earnings and Buyback - Shareholder Structure Matters

MitCorp announced good earnings, a lower FY23 forecast (expected as commodity-related over-profitability falls back), and a large buyback. It is...

Travis Lundy

IHH Healthcare (IHH MK): Core Business Recovery; Fortis Open Offer to Come Soon

IHH reported 11% YoY and 7% QoQ revenue growth in hospital and healthcare business, driven by higher inpatient admissions. The company has got...

Tina Banerjee

Asia Metals Outlook 2026: Scarcity Favours Gold, Copper, Aluminium

​Precious and energy-transition metals set to outperform bulks and hydrocarbons through 2026, with top Asia exposures including Zijin, Korea Zinc,...

Rahul Jain

First Pacific (142 HK): Maynilad's IPO (Now With Prospectus Numbers)

This insight is largely a rehash of yesterday's note, together with updated numbers applying prospectus figures. I thought this warranted a fresh...

David Blennerhassett

Precious and energy-transition metals set to outperform bulks and hydrocarbons through 2026, with top Asia exposures including Zijin, Korea Zinc,...