Japan TMT Analyst

Pelham Smithers

Market Intel on Asian Tech with a Japan focus

Pelham Smithers Associates

Founded in 2009, Pelham Smithers Associates (PSA) provides market intelligence on Asian technology, focusing in particular on Japan. The industries covered by our team of specialists are: consumer electronics, telecomms, pharmaceuticals, internet, electronic parts and materials, automotive technology, retail and capital goods. 

Research is provided by the following:
Pelham Smithers: Macro, consumer electronics, telecoms & pharma
Joel Scheiman: Electronics materials / components
Julie Boote: Autos
Will Nestuk: Capital goods, machinery & transportation equipment parts
Thao Nguyen: eCommerce, internet content, marketing & advertising

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

While it is not a given that a switch from a high growth, high interest rate environment to a low growth, low interest rate environment is a good one for equities in general, it should be good for defensive stocks, because these are the most bond-like of equities and the switch almost defines a fixed income bull market. Japan may not have been particularly high growth or high interest rate in 2000, but it was certainly higher growth and higher interest rate than today, and it is no surprise that defensive sectors like foods (+210% relative to Topix since 1999) and pharmaceuticals (+160%) have done very well over this time. The question, now, is whether this is set to continue, or whether we might have hit a turning point.

While it is not a given that a switch from a high growth, high interest rate environment to a low growth, low interest rate environment is a good one for equities in general, it should be good for defensive stocks, because these are the most bond-like of equities and the switch almost defines a fixed income bull market. Japan may not have been particularly high growth or high interest rate in 2000, but it was certainly higher growth and higher interest rate than today, and it is no surprise that defensive sectors like foods (+210% relative to Topix since 1999) and pharmaceuticals (+160%) have done very well over this time.  The question, now, is whether this is set to continue, or whether we might have hit a turning point.

Founder and CEO, Europacifica Consulting

Naomi Fink

Founder and CEO

Europacifica Consulting

Macroeconomics

As <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/boj-the-80-trillion-yen-question" target="_blank">forecast by Europacifica</a>, BOJ offered symbolic (modest) easing today.- Though it left overnight rates at -0.1%, the BOJ increased its <a href="https://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2016/k160729a.pdf" target="_blank">ETF purchases</a> from JPY3.3trn to JPY6trn by a 7-2 majority vote.  - As anticipated, the BOJ refrained from extreme policies such as unlimited monetisation of government debt ("helicopter money").  - The BOJ also declined to further distort the measure of inflation expectations encapsulated in the JGBi market, or to pressure liquidity further by increasing the…

As forecast by Europacifica, BOJ offered symbolic (modest) easing today.- Though it left overnight rates at -0.1%, the BOJ increased its ETF purchases from JPY3.3trn to JPY6trn by a 7-2 majority vote.  - As anticipated, the BOJ refrained from extreme policies such as unlimited monetisation of government debt ("helicopter money").  - The BOJ also declined to further distort the measure of inflation expectations encapsulated in the JGBi market, or to pressure liquidity further by increasing the…

BOJ Outcome: Symbolic Stimulus (As We Predicted)

The Bank of Japan July policy meeting ends tomorrow (Friday 29 July), and markets remain divided as to its outcome.   Although expectations of easing are building (including, according to Nikkei reports, within the BOJ), we see reasons why the BOJ may choose to adopt more modest easing measures than markets expect.Earlier this week, markets were not greatly surprised by the Fed’s upbeat tone on 27 July, but as the FOMC left rates on hold, judging that  “[n<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/monetary/20160727a.htm" target="_blank">]ear-term risks to the economic outlook</a>…

The Bank of Japan July policy meeting ends tomorrow (Friday 29 July), and markets remain divided as to its outcome.   Although expectations of easing are building (including, according to Nikkei reports, within the BOJ), we see reasons why the BOJ may choose to adopt more modest easing measures than markets expect.Earlier this week, markets were not greatly surprised by the Fed’s upbeat tone on 27 July, but as the FOMC left rates on hold, judging that  “[n]ear-term risks to the economic outlook…

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>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yakult-honsha-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17153:1" rel="noopener">Yakult Honsha (2267 JP)</a>'s stock price has continued to slide, and the stock is now trading 53% lower than its highs from 18 months ago. </li>
<li>The lower market cap should result in the stock being deleted from a global index in November. The stock has underperformed peers but still trades at higher valuations.</li>
<li>There has been increased positioning over the last few weeks. Short interest is higher since end-August but there has been covering in the last couple of weeks.</li>
</ul>



Yakult Honsha (2267 JP)'s stock price has continued to slide, and the stock is now trading 53% lower than its highs from 18 months ago. 
The lower market cap should result in the stock being deleted from a global index in November. The stock has underperformed peers but still trades at higher valuations.
There has been increased positioning over the last few weeks. Short interest is higher since end-August but there has been covering in the last couple of weeks.


Yakult Honsha (2267 JP): Underperformance & Global Index Deletion in Nov

Equity Derivatives Broker - Delta One Japan, Vantage Capital Markets Japan

François-Xavier Pustoc'h

Equity Derivatives Broker - Delta One Japan

Independent Financial Broker

Vantage Capital Markets Japan

We provide world class financial solutions to our extensive institutional client base including rapidly growing corporations, leading investment banks, commercial banks, asset managers, private equity funds, family offices and hedge funds.

Our services include capital market offerings and placements, wholesale brokerage and execution of cash and derivative products (both listed and OTC) across a range of asset classes.

VCM has offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Dubai from where we service our global client base. Our strength lies in the experience and quality of our teams, supported by excellent operations and infrastructure.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Rebalancing Candidates ADD: Kokusai Electric Corp (6525.T): High Liquidity Group TOP 75, BayCurrent Inc (6532.T), Shift Inc (3697.T)</li>
<li>Rebalancing Candidates DEL: Mitsubishi Logistics Corp. (9301.T), Okuma Corp. (6103.T), Tokuyama Corp (4043.T)</li>
<li>Capping Ratio: Fast Retailing Co Ltd (9983.T)’s Price Adjustment Factor from 2.7 to 2.4</li>
</ul>


Rebalancing Candidates ADD: Kokusai Electric Corp (6525.T): High Liquidity Group TOP 75, BayCurrent Inc (6532.T), Shift Inc (3697.T)
Rebalancing Candidates DEL: Mitsubishi Logistics Corp. (9301.T), Okuma Corp. (6103.T), Tokuyama Corp (4043.T)
Capping Ratio: Fast Retailing Co Ltd (9983.T)’s Price Adjustment Factor from 2.7 to 2.4


Nikkei 225 Stock Average Rebalancing – January 2025

Japan

Nisshin Seifun Group Inc. produces and sells flour, fodder, processed foods, and medicines. The Company offers specialized pasta sauce, frozen foods, and gourmet soup. Nisshin Seifun Group also markets pet foods.

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Nisshin Seifun Group (2002 JP)

Death Rattle for Defensives?

While it is not a given that a switch from a high growth, high interest rate environment to a low growth, low interest rate environment is a good...

Pelham Smithers Associates

BOJ Outcome: Symbolic Stimulus (As We Predicted)

As forecast by Europacifica, BOJ offered symbolic (modest) easing today.- Though it left overnight rates at -0.1%, the BOJ increased its ETF...

Naomi Fink

BOJ: The 80 Trillion Yen Question

The Bank of Japan July policy meeting ends tomorrow (Friday 29 July), and markets remain divided as to its outcome. Although expectations of...

Naomi Fink

Yakult Honsha (2267 JP): Underperformance & Global Index Deletion in Nov

Yakult Honsha's stock price is down 53% from its highs and the lower market cap could result in index deletion in Nov. Yakult has underperformed...

Brian Freitas

Nikkei 225 Stock Average Rebalancing – January 2025

As per the “Periodic Review” conducted twice a year by Nikkei Inc. (Nikkei), the constituents of Nikkei 225 will be reviewed and changed at the end...

Vantage Capital Markets Japan

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