Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS.  Disinflation Trade on as US PPI provides more tailwinds; Rates, USD Fall; Equites rally, More China Stimulus Coming ? Ripple resolution spurs Crypto bid; AI Wars: Meta Updates BARD</li>
<li>JAPAN. Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast Retailing numbers; Barclays see Sept BOJ tweek; Bullish Bank Initiations from UBS</li>
<li>NUGGET.  Hydrogen is a key part of JP Govt carbon zero strategy. We see KHI(7012) as a Hydrogen winner and see the recent pullback as a good entry opportunity</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS.  Disinflation Trade on as US PPI provides more tailwinds; Rates, USD Fall; Equites rally, More China Stimulus Coming ? Ripple resolution spurs Crypto bid; AI Wars: Meta Updates BARD
JAPAN. Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast Retailing numbers; Barclays see Sept BOJ tweek; Bullish Bank Initiations from UBS
NUGGET.  Hydrogen is a key part of JP Govt carbon zero strategy. We see KHI(7012) as a Hydrogen winner and see the recent pullback as a good entry opportunity


Ohayo Japan| Lower Rates, Higher Stocks; Crypto Optimism; NUGGET: Hydrogen Future - KHI(7012)Revisit

Insurance & Central Asia-focused Analyst, KT Capital Group

Alec Tseung

Insurance & Central Asia-focused Analyst

This Original aims to identify the key investment opportunities among the listed brokers in the three major East Asian countries - China, Japan, and Korea. By looking at the development of the brokerage sectors in these three countries, we observe a general trend where upstart online brokers first compete against the more established brokers based on their cost and technological advantages. This then pushes the more established brokers to either focus on more lucrative wholesale businesses or adopt and invest in tech initiatives in order to stay competitive in the retail market.After further establishing themselves in the retail market, these upstart online brokers then also diversify and expand into the more lucrative wealth/asset management or even wholesale businesses.  By gauging at which phase the broker is in this cycle, investors can have a good understanding of its future outlook.In our opinion, Korean brokers currently offer the best value, while the Chinese pure-play online brokers offer the highest growth potential. As such, our pecking order, in terms of investment attractiveness, is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kiwoom-securities-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20418:1" rel="noopener">Kiwoom Securities (039490 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/east-money-information-co-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8075:1" rel="noopener">East Money Information Co A (300059 CH)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/futu-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27858:1" rel="noopener">Futu Holdings Ltd (FUTU US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monex-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14211:1" rel="noopener">Monex Group Inc (8698 JP)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/huatai-securities-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:449:1" rel="noopener">Huatai Securities Co Ltd (H) (6886 HK)</a>.  <h2>What is Original?</h2>In this Original, we look into the competitive landscape of the brokerage sectors in China, Japan, and Korea. 55 listed brokers from these three countries are included in this Original as the company universe for regression analysis. Among them, a total of 8 brokers are chosen, with their company profiles separately presented, to further showcase and contrast the impact of competition and technological disruption. Based on this, a pecking order is then developed, both on a country and a company basis.

This Original aims to identify the key investment opportunities among the listed brokers in the three major East Asian countries - China, Japan, and Korea. By looking at the development of the brokerage sectors in these three countries, we observe a general trend where upstart online brokers first compete against the more established brokers based on their cost and technological advantages. This then pushes the more established brokers to either focus on more lucrative wholesale businesses or adopt and invest in tech initiatives in order to stay competitive in the retail market.After further establishing themselves in the retail market, these upstart online brokers then also diversify and expand into the more lucrative wealth/asset management or even wholesale businesses.  By gauging at which phase the broker is in this cycle, investors can have a good understanding of its future outlook.In our opinion, Korean brokers currently offer the best value, while the Chinese pure-play online brokers offer the highest growth potential. As such, our pecking order, in terms of investment attractiveness, is Kiwoom Securities (039490 KS), East Money Information Co A (300059 CH), Futu Holdings Ltd (FUTU US), Monex Group Inc (8698 JP) / Huatai Securities Co Ltd (H) (6886 HK).  What is Original?In this Original, we look into the competitive landscape of the brokerage sectors in China, Japan, and Korea. 55 listed brokers from these three countries are included in this Original as the company universe for regression analysis. Among them, a total of 8 brokers are chosen, with their company profiles separately presented, to further showcase and contrast the impact of competition and technological disruption. Based on this, a pecking order is then developed, both on a country and a company basis.

Asian Brokers: A Competition Between Value and Growth

'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.

<div>• BEST &amp; WORST •</div>Our best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimano-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3777:1" rel="noopener">Shimano (7309 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujitsu-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16968:1" rel="noopener">Fujitsu (6702 JP)</a>.<div><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/167/904/original/2020-10-28_05-35-42.png?1603830956" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="167904"></figure></div><div><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/167/905/original/2020-10-28_05-36-25.png?1603831001" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="167905"></figure></div><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div><hr><div>DAILY STATS</div><hr><div>57 Quarterly Results</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Results Score: 49% Positive / 9% Neutral / 42% Negative</li>
<li>Average Results Score Change: -1.7 points</li>
<li>Average % Change in Revenue: -6.4% Quarter YoY / -5.9% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.4ppt</li>
<li>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 12%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div>39 Annual • 36 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 36% Positive / 8% Neutral / 56% Negative</li>
<li>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 53% Positive / 6% Neutral / 42% Negative</li>
<li>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -1.1 points</li>
</ul></div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •Our best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is Shimano (7309 JP) and Fujitsu (6702 JP).Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsDAILY STATS57 Quarterly Results
Results Score: 49% Positive / 9% Neutral / 42% Negative
Average Results Score Change: -1.7 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -6.4% Quarter YoY / -5.9% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.4ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 12%
39 Annual • 36 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 36% Positive / 8% Neutral / 56% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 53% Positive / 6% Neutral / 42% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -1.1 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​27 Online Brokers, Hoya, Shin-Etsu, Fujitsu..

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<div class="content-highlight">
Both Bitcoin and gold prices are rallying this year and this is probably a sign of a HEDGE against political instability in China, in our view. Bitcoin and gold are two of the best-performing assets this year, with many stock markets around the world hammered by the concerns from the Wuhan virus. 
</div>
The following were the main headlines impacting the blockchain and cryptocurrencies sectors in South Korea, Japan, and globally in the past few weeks. 
<ul>
<li>BITCOIN PRICE RALLY IN 2020</li>
<li>SOUTH KOREA (TAXES ON CRYPTOS) </li>
<li>CME GROUP</li>
<li>XRP DELISTED FROM JAPAN'S BITBOX </li>
<li>FIRST SWISS COMPLIANT DIGITAL IPO </li>
<li>SAUDI ARAMCO INVESTS IN VAKT </li>
<li>NOMURA RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NRI) LAUNCHES A NEW CRYPTOCURRENCY INDEX </li>
<li>FORMATION OF NATIONAL DIGITAL CURRENCIES IN 2020</li>
<li>
BITCOIN BLOCK REWARD HALVING
</li>
<li>
EXPERTISE IN BLOCKCHAIN
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
GMO INTERNET
</li>
<li>
TOYOTA LEASING (THAILAND)
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>SQUARE CRYPTO</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
BITCOIN DOMINANCE
</li>
</ul>


Both Bitcoin and gold prices are rallying this year and this is probably a sign of a HEDGE against political instability in China, in our view. Bitcoin and gold are two of the best-performing assets this year, with many stock markets around the world hammered by the concerns from the Wuhan virus. 

The following were the main headlines impacting the blockchain and cryptocurrencies sectors in South Korea, Japan, and globally in the past few weeks. 

BITCOIN PRICE RALLY IN 2020
SOUTH KOREA (TAXES ON CRYPTOS) 
CME GROUP
XRP DELISTED FROM JAPAN'S BITBOX 
FIRST SWISS COMPLIANT DIGITAL IPO 
SAUDI ARAMCO INVESTS IN VAKT 
NOMURA RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NRI) LAUNCHES A NEW CRYPTOCURRENCY INDEX 
FORMATION OF NATIONAL DIGITAL CURRENCIES IN 2020

BITCOIN BLOCK REWARD HALVING


EXPERTISE IN BLOCKCHAIN




GMO INTERNET


TOYOTA LEASING (THAILAND)



SQUARE CRYPTO



BITCOIN DOMINANCE



This Month in Blockchain & Cryptos: Bitcoin Price Rally in 2020, OverFuture's Digital IPO, & Vakt

The past few days have been monumental in the short history of blockchain as China's president Xi Jinping stated that the country should<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bitcoin-surges-to-over-10000-in-biggest-single-day-move-since-april-2019-10-26" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> "seize the opportunity of blockchain technology." </a>This was essentially the first time that Xi has praised the merits of the blockchain technology, which resulted in the Bitcoin price exploding higher.
Although the exact timing of the launch of the China government-backed cryptocurrency is not yet known, it could be launched as soon as this winter. It remains to be seen how the Chinese government will seek to regulate Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as its own Chinese government driven cryptocurrency. However, we believe that one of the ways that the Chinese government could encourage the use of its own cryptocurrency is through various incentives schemes, including through the  "social credit scores."
Bitcoin price surged by 35% from October 24th to 26th and has since retraced slightly. As of October 28th, the Bitcoin price is $9,663 which is nearly 30% higher than October 24th just prior to Xi's embrace of the blockchain technology.

The past few days have been monumental in the short history of blockchain as China's president Xi Jinping stated that the country should "seize the opportunity of blockchain technology." This was essentially the first time that Xi has praised the merits of the blockchain technology, which resulted in the Bitcoin price exploding higher.
Although the exact timing of the launch of the China government-backed cryptocurrency is not yet known, it could be launched as soon as this winter. It remains to be seen how the Chinese government will seek to regulate Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as its own Chinese government driven cryptocurrency. However, we believe that one of the ways that the Chinese government could encourage the use of its own cryptocurrency is through various incentives schemes, including through the  "social credit scores."
Bitcoin price surged by 35% from October 24th to 26th and has since retraced slightly. As of October 28th, the Bitcoin price is $9,663 which is nearly 30% higher than October 24th just prior to Xi's embrace of the blockchain technology.  

This Week in Blockchain & Cryptos: Xi Jinping Embraces Blockchain & Bitcoin Price Surges Higher

Japan

Monex Group, Inc. is a holding company, which was established through merger between Monex and Nikko Beans. The Company manages its subsidiaries that provides investing services for self-directed investors through Internet and telephone.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Monex Group Inc (8698 JP)

Ohayo Japan| Lower Rates, Higher Stocks; Crypto Optimism; NUGGET: Hydrogen Future - KHI(7012)Revisit

Disinflation trade continues- Rates down, DXY down, Stocks up; Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast...

Mark Chadwick

Asian Brokers: A Competition Between Value and Growth

The Original looks into the current competitive landscape of the brokerage sectors in China, Japan, and Korea, with a view to developing a list of...

Alec Tseung

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/27 Online Brokers, Hoya, Shin-Etsu, Fujitsu..

• BEST & WORST • Our best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is Shimano (7309 JP) and Fujitsu (6702 JP).____________

Campbell Gunn

This Month in Blockchain & Cryptos: Bitcoin Price Rally in 2020, OverFuture's Digital IPO, & Vakt

Both Bitcoin and gold prices are rallying this year and this is probably a sign of a HEDGE against political instability in China, in our view....

Douglas Kim

This Week in Blockchain & Cryptos: Xi Jinping Embraces Blockchain & Bitcoin Price Surges Higher

The past few days have been monumental in the short history of blockchain as China's president Xi Jinping stated that the country should "seize the...

Douglas Kim

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Ohayo Japan| Lower Rates, Higher Stocks; Crypto Optimism; NUGGET: Hydrogen Future - KHI(7012)Revisit

Disinflation trade continues- Rates down, DXY down, Stocks up; Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast...

Mark Chadwick

Asian Brokers: A Competition Between Value and Growth

The Original looks into the current competitive landscape of the brokerage sectors in China, Japan, and Korea, with a view to developing a list of...

Alec Tseung

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​27 Online Brokers, Hoya, Shin-Etsu, Fujitsu..

• BEST & WORST • Our best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is Shimano (7309 JP) and Fujitsu (6702 JP).____________

Campbell Gunn

This Month in Blockchain & Cryptos: Bitcoin Price Rally in 2020, OverFuture's Digital IPO, & Vakt

Both Bitcoin and gold prices are rallying this year and this is probably a sign of a HEDGE against political instability in China, in our view....

Douglas Kim

This Week in Blockchain & Cryptos: Xi Jinping Embraces Blockchain & Bitcoin Price Surges Higher

The past few days have been monumental in the short history of blockchain as China's president Xi Jinping stated that the country should "seize the...

Douglas Kim

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/27 Online Brokers, Hoya, Shin-Etsu, Fujitsu..