'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

<div class="content-caption"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/100/175/original/2019-09-29_05-54-31.png?1569704091" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="100175"></figure></div><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>TAKE PROFITS</strong> - The 'breakout' rally above the 50-day moving average over the last thirteen trading days has added 8% to total market value and has been driven by ample liquidity, stronger US$, a lack of developments in global trade talks and more dove-like utterances and stances from the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank, respectively. With the US Treasury about to restore its cash balance (through large T-bill offerings) by over US$250 billion, the US monetary base could contract by over 5% in the next quarter. Markets will face a stiff headwind and, with business conditions moving from bad to worse and central banks limited in the scope of further comment/action, the fourth quarter could be as perilous as the third quarter was benign.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/100/176/original/2019-09-29_07-49-09.png?1569710965" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="100176"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/100/177/original/2019-09-29_08-01-13.png?1569711690" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="100177"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/100/178/original/2019-09-29_08-09-38.png?1569712198" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="100178"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><div class="content-caption"></div><p><strong>PEAK ACTION</strong> - Both the 5-day <strong>Relative Strength Index</strong> and the 25-day <strong>Toraku Index</strong> have pulled back from extreme levels from which further upside is typically limited. In a similar vein, the 52 Week New Highs - New Lows reached a 20-month high of 141 on Thursday suggesting a peak in this bear market rally.   </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/100/179/original/2019-09-29_08-29-33.png?1569713388" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="100179"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>VOLUME SCORE TIMELINE</strong> - Volume peaked on 13th September at the highest level of any day this year and, as of Friday, is still above the fourth-month average. Favoured Sectors continue to be non-manufacturing, especially the Internet, IT, Commercial Services and REITs Sectors. Volume is weakest in the Metals, Machinery, Technology Hardware Sectors, but also now in the 'China-related' Other Consumer Products Sector. The Bank of Japan resumed ETF purchases on Friday after an eighteen-trading day hiatus.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/100/180/original/2019-09-29_12-35-13.png?1569728129" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="100180"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>3-MONTH SECTOR CONTRIBUTION</strong> - Relief over the apparent conclusion of Japan/US trade talks without any tariffs on Japan's <strong>Auto</strong> sector resulted in a 22 bps return contribution from the Sector; we would take profits on the conclusion of the final deal as global sales trends remain dire.  The <strong>Telecommunications</strong> Sector's underperformance reflects the 16% decline in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a> over the period for reasons well-documented on this platform.  The other outperforming Sectors are mostly in domestic non-manufacturing, but <strong>Technology Hardware</strong> continues to defy underlying current business conditions, as we shall discuss below.  <strong>Retail</strong> stocks are benefiting from positive sentiment to the short-term stimulus, although the early results from the Sector, many of whose leading companies will report second-quarter results over the next two weeks, suggest this optimism is, perhaps, misplaced. Lastly, the <strong>Banks</strong> Sector appears to have reached a short-term nadir and rose by 1.6% over the period.   </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/100/182/original/2019-09-29_12-57-32.png?1569729476" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="100182"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>SECTOR SCORE MATRIX - </strong>Our Sector Score matrix spreads all 30 Sectors by Relative Price Score and Results &amp; Revisions Score where the extreme outliers are denoted as <strong>Contrarian Sell</strong>, <strong>Contrarian Buy</strong>, <strong>Unrequited Growth</strong>, and <strong>Ex-Growth</strong>. The Information Technology Sector is the only 'Contrarian Sell', and we note that the Sector declined by 0.7% over the last three months. <strong>Consumer Services</strong> is the most Overbought Sector, mostly due to the continuing out-performance of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oriental-land-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13517:1" rel="noopener">Oriental Land (4661 JP)</a> - now the fifth-most Overbought mega-cap. <strong>Banks</strong> are no longer a 'Contrarian Buy', while, as noted in our last Update, <strong>Metals</strong> remain the value investor pick, and saw at least one broker upgrade <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-steel-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:961:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Steel (5401 JP)</a> last week.    </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/100/201/original/2019-09-30_04-51-12.png?1569786797" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="100201"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/100/202/original/2019-09-30_04-57-34.png?1569787075" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="100202"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><div class="content-caption"></div><p><strong>RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS SCORE</strong> - As we head into the next results 'season' it is instructive to note that earnings momentum is still negative and our Results &amp; Revision Score is at its lowest point since April 2017. The Series correlates well with the Cabinet Office's Leading Indicator which as of July reached a new 'post-GFC' low. Japanese listed corporated have done well to preserve their earnings power in harsh global conditions. We are about to discover how much of this is due to spending brought forward ahead of next month's consumption tax increase. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we will review Sector performance, scores and valuation in more detail, as well as Company Results &amp; Revisions and individual stock performance over the previous three months.</p></div>

Source: Japan AnalyticsTAKE PROFITS - The 'breakout' rally above the 50-day moving average over the last thirteen trading days has added 8% to total market value and has been driven by ample liquidity, stronger US$, a lack of developments in global trade talks and more dove-like utterances and stances from the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank, respectively. With the US Treasury about to restore its cash balance (through large T-bill offerings) by over US$250 billion, the US monetary base could contract by over 5% in the next quarter. Markets will face a stiff headwind and, with business conditions moving from bad to worse and central banks limited in the scope of further comment/action, the fourth quarter could be as perilous as the third quarter was benign.Source: Japan AnalyticsPEAK ACTION - Both the 5-day Relative Strength Index and the 25-day Toraku Index have pulled back from extreme levels from which further upside is typically limited. In a similar vein, the 52 Week New Highs - New Lows reached a 20-month high of 141 on Thursday suggesting a peak in this bear market rally.   Source: Japan AnalyticsVOLUME SCORE TIMELINE - Volume peaked on 13th September at the highest level of any day this year and, as of Friday, is still above the fourth-month average. Favoured Sectors continue to be non-manufacturing, especially the Internet, IT, Commercial Services and REITs Sectors. Volume is weakest in the Metals, Machinery, Technology Hardware Sectors, but also now in the 'China-related' Other Consumer Products Sector. The Bank of Japan resumed ETF purchases on Friday after an eighteen-trading day hiatus.Source: Japan Analytics3-MONTH SECTOR CONTRIBUTION - Relief over the apparent conclusion of Japan/US trade talks without any tariffs on Japan's Auto sector resulted in a 22 bps return contribution from the Sector; we would take profits on the conclusion of the final deal as global sales trends remain dire.  The Telecommunications Sector's underperformance reflects the 16% decline in Softbank Group (9984 JP) over the period for reasons well-documented on this platform.  The other outperforming Sectors are mostly in domestic non-manufacturing, but Technology Hardware continues to defy underlying current business conditions, as we shall discuss below.  Retail stocks are benefiting from positive sentiment to the short-term stimulus, although the early results from the Sector, many of whose leading companies will report second-quarter results over the next two weeks, suggest this optimism is, perhaps, misplaced. Lastly, the Banks Sector appears to have reached a short-term nadir and rose by 1.6% over the period.   Source: Japan AnalyticsSECTOR SCORE MATRIX - Our Sector Score matrix spreads all 30 Sectors by Relative Price Score and Results &amp; Revisions Score where the extreme outliers are denoted as Contrarian Sell, Contrarian Buy, Unrequited Growth, and Ex-Growth. The Information Technology Sector is the only 'Contrarian Sell', and we note that the Sector declined by 0.7% over the last three months. Consumer Services is the most Overbought Sector, mostly due to the continuing out-performance of Oriental Land (4661 JP) - now the fifth-most Overbought mega-cap. Banks are no longer a 'Contrarian Buy', while, as noted in our last Update, Metals remain the value investor pick, and saw at least one broker upgrade Nippon Steel (5401 JP) last week.    Source: Japan AnalyticsRESULTS &amp; REVISIONS SCORE - As we head into the next results 'season' it is instructive to note that earnings momentum is still negative and our Results &amp; Revision Score is at its lowest point since April 2017. The Series correlates well with the Cabinet Office's Leading Indicator which as of July reached a new 'post-GFC' low. Japanese listed corporated have done well to preserve their earnings power in harsh global conditions. We are about to discover how much of this is due to spending brought forward ahead of next month's consumption tax increase. In the DETAIL section below, we will review Sector performance, scores and valuation in more detail, as well as Company Results &amp; Revisions and individual stock performance over the previous three months.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market Update - Take Profits

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• RELATIVE PRICE SCORE</strong> •</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/178/original/2019-09-06_09-42-35.png?1567730614" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98178"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>INTRODUCTION </strong>- The Relative Price Score (RPS) is a measure of stock price performance relative to TOPIX calculated by comparing the current deviation with the mean absolute deviation of monthly and daily relative share prices. As all companies are thus on a comparable scale, 'Overbought' and 'Oversold' outliers and changes in scoring can reveal short-term and longer-term trading opportunities. Company outlier thresholds are set at<strong> +4</strong> &amp; <strong>-2</strong> and equate to the top and bottom first-to-second percentiles of historical observations from which mean reversion takes a matter of months. RPS outliers with a Score of greater than 10.0 are rare outside of the 2000 tech 'bubble'. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lasertec-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4126:1" rel="noopener">Lasertec (6920 JP)</a> has just joined <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/goldwin-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:410:1" rel="noopener">Goldwin (8111 JP)</a> in being only the second large-cap RPS 'ten-baggers' in the last twenty years. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p><strong>This insight updates our list of Overbought and Oversold companies, reviews the best and worst-performing companies in terms of RPS over the last three months and adds some specific comments on stocks on each category.</strong></p></div><div></div><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/046/original/2019-09-05_12-46-46.png?1567655232" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98046"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>STATISTICS</strong> - Currently, of the 3,706 listed companies for which monthly RPS data is available, 81 companies are 'Overbought', and 133 are 'Oversold' - 2.45% and 3.8%, respectively of the total. For the 737 companies with a market capitalisation of over ¥100b, there are 44 'Overbought' and 37 'Oversold' companies, 6% and 5%, respectively.</p><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• RELATIVE PRICE SCORE 'TOPS' •</strong></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/055/original/2019-09-05_13-06-30.png?1567656423" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98055"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>RPS 'TOPS'</strong> - In the last two years, 388 companies have achieved an RPS of '4' or more and the average Overbought 'persistence' is 42 days. 1.26% of the total of 1.94 million traded stock days were by companies with an RPS of over 4. For companies with a market capitalisation higher than ¥100b, the numbers are 95 companies and 74 days - demonstrating the superior persistence of large capitalisation companies in this regard. The chart above highlights the track record of all 95 large caps which are some point were Overbought in the last twenty-four months and illustrates the extreme outlier status of Goldwin and Lasertec.</p><p><strong>RPS NEGATIVE MEAN REVERSION</strong> - Some examples of RPS mean reversion in the last three months have been <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/suzuken-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14996:1" rel="noopener">Suzuken (9987 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/infomart-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1301:1" rel="noopener">Infomart (2492 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nichirei-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7168:1" rel="noopener">Nichirei (2871 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl (4921 JP)</a>. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/096/original/2019-09-05_16-25-39.png?1567668352" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98096"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/097/original/2019-09-05_16-27-09.png?1567668441" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98097"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/098/original/2019-09-05_16-28-42.png?1567668548" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98098"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/099/original/2019-09-05_16-30-29.png?1567668640" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98099"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• RELATIVE PRICE SCORE 'BOTTOMS' •</strong></p><div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/056/original/2019-09-05_13-12-52.png?1567656806" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98056"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>
</div><p><strong>RPS 'BOTTOMS'</strong> - 259 companies have seen their RPS fall to '-2' or below in the last two years, and the average Oversold 'persistence' is 83 days. 1.46% of the total of 1.94 million traded stock days were by companies with an RPS of less than -2.  For larger capitalisation companies, the numbers are 79 companies and 94 days. The chart above highlights the track record of the 79 large caps which are some point were Oversold in the last twenty-four months and illustrates the strong recovery in the<strong> REITs</strong> Sector and the continuing demise of <strong>Regional Banks</strong>.</p><p><strong>RPS POSITIVE MEAN REVERSION</strong> - Some recent examples of positive RPS mean reversions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/otsuka-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12292:1" rel="noopener">Otsuka Holdings (4578 JP) </a>and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/line-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22772:1" rel="noopener">LINE (3938 JP)</a>.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/100/original/2019-09-05_16-35-47.png?1567668972" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98100"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/098/102/original/2019-09-05_16-36-50.png?1567669047" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="98102"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p>As we noted in our June <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-relative-price-scores-overbought-oversold-companies-june-2019" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:30393" rel="noopener">Insight: -</a></p><blockquote><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/line-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22772:1" rel="noopener">LINE (3938 JP)</a></strong>- Line has performed poorly since being featured in last year's Sohn Conference and has had negative and worsening Operating Income for each of the previous five quarters. Although there is a possibility of a double-bottom RPS 'bounce' and <strong>the company is now the most-Oversold non-financial large-cap over one year,</strong> there are no fundamental reasons to own the shares.   </p></blockquote><p>In the <strong>DETAIL </strong>section below, we list the current<strong> Very Overbought (RPS&gt;5</strong>), <strong>Too-Late-To-Buy (RPS &gt;4&lt;5)</strong> and <strong>Oversold (RPS &lt;-2)</strong> stocks as well as the most substantial three-month positive and negative changes in RPS.</p>

• RELATIVE PRICE SCORE •Source: Japan AnalyticsINTRODUCTION - The Relative Price Score (RPS) is a measure of stock price performance relative to TOPIX calculated by comparing the current deviation with the mean absolute deviation of monthly and daily relative share prices. As all companies are thus on a comparable scale, 'Overbought' and 'Oversold' outliers and changes in scoring can reveal short-term and longer-term trading opportunities. Company outlier thresholds are set at +4 &amp; -2 and equate to the top and bottom first-to-second percentiles of historical observations from which mean reversion takes a matter of months. RPS outliers with a Score of greater than 10.0 are rare outside of the 2000 tech 'bubble'. Lasertec (6920 JP) has just joined Goldwin (8111 JP) in being only the second large-cap RPS 'ten-baggers' in the last twenty years. This insight updates our list of Overbought and Oversold companies, reviews the best and worst-performing companies in terms of RPS over the last three months and adds some specific comments on stocks on each category.Source: Japan AnalyticsSTATISTICS - Currently, of the 3,706 listed companies for which monthly RPS data is available, 81 companies are 'Overbought', and 133 are 'Oversold' - 2.45% and 3.8%, respectively of the total. For the 737 companies with a market capitalisation of over ¥100b, there are 44 'Overbought' and 37 'Oversold' companies, 6% and 5%, respectively.• RELATIVE PRICE SCORE 'TOPS' •Source: Japan AnalyticsRPS 'TOPS' - In the last two years, 388 companies have achieved an RPS of '4' or more and the average Overbought 'persistence' is 42 days. 1.26% of the total of 1.94 million traded stock days were by companies with an RPS of over 4. For companies with a market capitalisation higher than ¥100b, the numbers are 95 companies and 74 days - demonstrating the superior persistence of large capitalisation companies in this regard. The chart above highlights the track record of all 95 large caps which are some point were Overbought in the last twenty-four months and illustrates the extreme outlier status of Goldwin and Lasertec.RPS NEGATIVE MEAN REVERSION - Some examples of RPS mean reversion in the last three months have been Suzuken (9987 JP), Infomart (2492 JP), Nichirei (2871 JP), and Fancl (4921 JP). Source: Japan Analytics• RELATIVE PRICE SCORE 'BOTTOMS' •
Source: Japan Analytics
RPS 'BOTTOMS' - 259 companies have seen their RPS fall to '-2' or below in the last two years, and the average Oversold 'persistence' is 83 days. 1.46% of the total of 1.94 million traded stock days were by companies with an RPS of less than -2.  For larger capitalisation companies, the numbers are 79 companies and 94 days. The chart above highlights the track record of the 79 large caps which are some point were Oversold in the last twenty-four months and illustrates the strong recovery in the REITs Sector and the continuing demise of Regional Banks.RPS POSITIVE MEAN REVERSION - Some recent examples of positive RPS mean reversions are Otsuka Holdings (4578 JP) and LINE (3938 JP).Source: Japan AnalyticsAs we noted in our June Insight: -LINE (3938 JP)- Line has performed poorly since being featured in last year's Sohn Conference and has had negative and worsening Operating Income for each of the previous five quarters. Although there is a possibility of a double-bottom RPS 'bounce' and the company is now the most-Oversold non-financial large-cap over one year, there are no fundamental reasons to own the shares.   In the DETAIL section below, we list the current Very Overbought (RPS&gt;5), Too-Late-To-Buy (RPS &gt;4&lt;5) and Oversold (RPS &lt;-2) stocks as well as the most substantial three-month positive and negative changes in RPS.

🇯🇵 Japan • September Relative Price Scores - Life at the Poles Part 2: Companies

<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/093/001/original/2019-07-13_16-16-31.png?1563002212" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="93001"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/093/005/original/2019-07-13_16-25-24.png?1563002742" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="93005"></figure><p>Source: Japan Analytics</p>
</div><p><strong>MOVING AVERAGE BREAKOUT</strong> - Japanese equities have now risen by 5.1% since the low of 4th June and, since July 1st, the Total Market Value has exceeded the 50-Day Moving Average for the first time since 26th April. Over the last two weeks, the Total Market Value has gained 1.7% in both Yen and US dollar times. For the previous twelve months, the equity market has moved in line with the US dollar/Japanese Yen exchange rate. It remains to be seen how the 'gap' that has opened up in the last month will be closed. Any further strength in the Yen from current levels will likely see the market slip below the 50-Day Moving Average again.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/093/020/original/2019-07-14_06-28-16.png?1563053334" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="93020"></figure><p></p><div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/093/024/original/2019-07-14_06-45-29.png?1563054338" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="93024"></figure><p></p> Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>VALUE TRADED RATIO </strong>- The Value Traded Ratio (Value Traded/Total Market Value) has seen two new eighteen-month lows. If the three days around Christmas are excluded, the current apathy towards Japanese equities is the most extreme since 2012 and is confirmed by recent BAML investor surveys. In the past, such periods of inactivity (marked"▲"above)  have preceded changes in market direction, more often upwards rather than downwards and suggest the current rally has more 'legs'. </p><div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/093/025/original/2019-07-14_06-47-40.png?1563054585" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="93025"></figure><p></p> Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>TORAKU INDEX </strong>- Conversely, the Toraku advance/decline index is suggesting a degree of caution having breached the 120 'overbought' line for only the third time in eighteen months. Combining this analysis with the Value Traded Ratio, there is scope for a short-term upward move akin to that of October 2018 to be followed by a sharper downward trend into the autumn.  </p><div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/093/026/original/2019-07-14_06-54-51.png?1563054906" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="93026"></figure><p></p> Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>VOLUME SCORE TIMELINE</strong> - The lull in market turnover is confirmed in the greener 'bias' in our Sector volume timeline. The <strong>Retail</strong> and <strong>Restaurant</strong> Sectors are hot as we are in the middle of the quarterly results announcements for February/May/August/November year-end companies. <strong>REITs</strong> remain the 'go-to' defensive Sector while the <strong>Information Technology</strong> and <strong>Internet</strong> Sectors are the '<em>tema-du-jour</em>' - to mix language metaphors. The 'untouchables' are <strong>Metals</strong>, <strong>Banks</strong>, <strong>Utilities</strong><strong>Transportation</strong>,  and <strong>Multi-Industry</strong>.</p><div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/093/028/original/2019-07-14_07-31-40.png?1563057109" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="93028"></figure><p></p> Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>3-MONTH SECTOR CONTRIBUTION</strong> - Over the last three months, a long Telcos/short Autos strategy would have yielded 82 basis points of performance. The <strong>Retail</strong> Sector has responded well to the results released so far led by drugstores <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welcia-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20895:1" rel="noopener">Welcia (3141 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsuruha-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9536:1" rel="noopener">Tsuruha (3391 JP), </a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsuruha-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9536:1" rel="noopener">, and </a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lawson-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1040:1" rel="noopener">Lawson (2651 JP)</a>. <strong>Electrical Equipment</strong> has suffered from weakness in component stocks <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alps-alpine-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12001:1" rel="noopener">Alps Alpine (6770 JP)</a> (-38% over one year), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/murata-manufacturing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11649:1" rel="noopener">Murata (6981 JP)</a> (see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/scott-foster" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1134" rel="noopener">Scott Foster</a>'s <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/murata-mfg-6981-jp-buy-on-decline-for-the-long-term" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:30919" rel="noopener">(Buy on Decline for the Long Term</a>), and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiyo-yuden-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9924:1" rel="noopener">Taiyo Yuden (6976 JP)</a>, while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smc-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20866:1" rel="noopener">SMC (6273 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fanuc-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:752:1" rel="noopener">Fanuc (6954 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/komatsu-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8416:1" rel="noopener">Komatsu (6301 JP)</a> have weighed on the <strong>Machinery</strong> Sector.</p><div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/093/031/original/2019-07-14_07-44-47.png?1563057897" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="93031"></figure><p></p></figure> Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>SECTOR SCORE MATRIX - </strong>Arranging our cap-weighted Sector Relative Price Scores and Results &amp; Revisions Scores in a four-quadrant matrix whose extremes are <strong>Contrarian Sel</strong>l, <strong>Contrarian Buy</strong>, <strong>Unrequited Growth</strong>, and <strong>Ex-Growth</strong> suggest profit-taking in Information Technology (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/obic-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1273:1" rel="noopener">OBIC (4684 JP)</a>, Other Commerical Products (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hoya-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8990:1" rel="noopener">Hoya Corp (7741 JP)</a>, and Commercial Services (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/recruit-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15070:1" rel="noopener">Recruit 6098 JP).</a> We are not contrarian enough to fall into the banking 'trap', however, the Metals Sector may offer some 'crumbs' of comfort for those in need of a deep value 'fix' (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-steel-sumitomo-metal-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:961:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Steel &amp; Sumitomo Metal (5401 JP)</a>) </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we will review Sector performance, scores and valuation in more detail, as well as Company Results &amp; Revisions and individual stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welcia-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20895:1" rel="noopener">Welcia (3141 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daiseki-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2330:1" rel="noopener">Daiseki (9793 JP), </a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yaskawa-electric-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2458:1" rel="noopener">Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP), </a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pola-orbis-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2287:1" rel="noopener">Pola Orbis (4927 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sekisui-house-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4508:1" rel="noopener">Sekisui House (1928 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keyence-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3077:1" rel="noopener">Keyence (6861 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-post-insurance-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:840:1" rel="noopener">Japan Post Insurance (7181 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/obic-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1273:1" rel="noopener">Obic (4684 JP)</a>.</p></div>


Source: Japan Analytics
MOVING AVERAGE BREAKOUT - Japanese equities have now risen by 5.1% since the low of 4th June and, since July 1st, the Total Market Value has exceeded the 50-Day Moving Average for the first time since 26th April. Over the last two weeks, the Total Market Value has gained 1.7% in both Yen and US dollar times. For the previous twelve months, the equity market has moved in line with the US dollar/Japanese Yen exchange rate. It remains to be seen how the 'gap' that has opened up in the last month will be closed. Any further strength in the Yen from current levels will likely see the market slip below the 50-Day Moving Average again.
 Source: Japan AnalyticsVALUE TRADED RATIO - The Value Traded Ratio (Value Traded/Total Market Value) has seen two new eighteen-month lows. If the three days around Christmas are excluded, the current apathy towards Japanese equities is the most extreme since 2012 and is confirmed by recent BAML investor surveys. In the past, such periods of inactivity (marked"▲"above)  have preceded changes in market direction, more often upwards rather than downwards and suggest the current rally has more 'legs'. 
 Source: Japan AnalyticsTORAKU INDEX - Conversely, the Toraku advance/decline index is suggesting a degree of caution having breached the 120 'overbought' line for only the third time in eighteen months. Combining this analysis with the Value Traded Ratio, there is scope for a short-term upward move akin to that of October 2018 to be followed by a sharper downward trend into the autumn.  
 Source: Japan AnalyticsVOLUME SCORE TIMELINE - The lull in market turnover is confirmed in the greener 'bias' in our Sector volume timeline. The Retail and Restaurant Sectors are hot as we are in the middle of the quarterly results announcements for February/May/August/November year-end companies. REITs remain the 'go-to' defensive Sector while the Information Technology and Internet Sectors are the 'tema-du-jour' - to mix language metaphors. The 'untouchables' are Metals, Banks, UtilitiesTransportation,  and Multi-Industry.
 Source: Japan Analytics3-MONTH SECTOR CONTRIBUTION - Over the last three months, a long Telcos/short Autos strategy would have yielded 82 basis points of performance. The Retail Sector has responded well to the results released so far led by drugstores Welcia (3141 JP) and Tsuruha (3391 JP), Fast Retailing (9983 JP), and Lawson (2651 JP). Electrical Equipment has suffered from weakness in component stocks Alps Alpine (6770 JP) (-38% over one year), Murata (6981 JP) (see Scott Foster's (Buy on Decline for the Long Term), and Taiyo Yuden (6976 JP), while SMC (6273 JP), Fanuc (6954 JP), and Komatsu (6301 JP) have weighed on the Machinery Sector.
 Source: Japan AnalyticsSECTOR SCORE MATRIX - Arranging our cap-weighted Sector Relative Price Scores and Results &amp; Revisions Scores in a four-quadrant matrix whose extremes are Contrarian Sell, Contrarian Buy, Unrequited Growth, and Ex-Growth suggest profit-taking in Information Technology (OBIC (4684 JP), Other Commerical Products (Hoya Corp (7741 JP), and Commercial Services (Recruit 6098 JP). We are not contrarian enough to fall into the banking 'trap', however, the Metals Sector may offer some 'crumbs' of comfort for those in need of a deep value 'fix' (Nippon Steel &amp; Sumitomo Metal (5401 JP)) In the DETAIL section below, we will review Sector performance, scores and valuation in more detail, as well as Company Results &amp; Revisions and individual stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on Welcia (3141 JP), Daiseki (9793 JP), Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP), Pola Orbis (4927 JP), Sekisui House (1928 JP), Keyence (6861 JP), Japan Post Insurance (7181 JP), and Obic (4684 JP).

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market Update - Levitating on Thin Air

Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

<p>We remain constructive on global equities as the MSCI ACWI, ACWI ex-U.S., and EAFE indexes consolidate above their respective 200-day moving averages. On the other hand, the MSCI EM index is breaking below its 200-day moving average and is flirting with a breakdown below 56,000 support (local currency).  We see attractive Opportunities in Manufacturing &amp; Materials in Europe, Japan and China, India, and Taiwan. </p>

We remain constructive on global equities as the MSCI ACWI, ACWI ex-U.S., and EAFE indexes consolidate above their respective 200-day moving averages. On the other hand, the MSCI EM index is breaking below its 200-day moving average and is flirting with a breakdown below 56,000 support (local currency).  We see attractive Opportunities in Manufacturing &amp; Materials in Europe, Japan and China, India, and Taiwan. 

Global Indexes Are Consolidating, EM Is Breaking Down

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>- RELATIVE PRICE SCORE</strong> - </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION </strong>- The Relative Price Score (RPS) is a measure of stock price performance relative to TOPIX calculated by comparing the current deviation with the mean absolute deviation of monthly and daily relative share prices. As all companies are thus on a comparable scale, 'Overbought' and 'Oversold' outliers and changes in scoring can reveal short-term and longer-term trading opportunities. Company outlier thresholds are set at<strong> +4</strong> &amp; <strong>-2</strong> and equate to the top and bottom first-to-second percentiles of historical observations from which mean reversion takes a matter of months. This insight updates our list of Overbought and Oversold companies, reviews the best and worst performing companies in terms of RPS over the last three months and adds some specific comments on stocks on each category.</p><p><strong>STATISTICS</strong> - Currently, of the 3,804 listed companies for which daily RPS data is available, 79 companies are 'Overbought', and 117 are 'Oversold' - 2.1% and 3.1%, respectively of the total. For the 779 companies with a market capitalisation of over ¥100b, there are 42 'Overbought' and 28 'Oversold' companies, 5.4% and 3.6%, respectively illustrating the relative strength of larger capitalisation stocks at this stage of the cycle. </p><hr><p><strong>RPS 'TOPS'</strong> - In the last two years, 438 companies have achieved an RPS of '4' or more and the average Overbought 'persistence' is 45 days.  For companies with a market capitalisation higher than ¥100b, the numbers are 92 companies and 83 days - demonstrating the superior persistence of large capitalisation companies in this regard. Some examples of RPS mean reversion in the last three months have been <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/5414" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5414:1">Kyudenko (1959 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/7168" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7168:1">Nichirei (2871 JP)</a>. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/15862" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1">Fancl (4921 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/320" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:320:1">FamilyMart Uny (8028 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/8412" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8412:1">Infocom Corp (4348 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/24540" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24540:1">SanBio (4592 JP)</a>. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/084/571/original/2019-04-10_11-06-11.png?1554863890" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="84571"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/084/572/original/2019-04-10_11-29-31.png?1554863914" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="84572"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/084/573/original/2019-04-10_11-30-53.png?1554863948" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="84573"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/084/574/original/2019-04-10_11-32-00.png?1554864056" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="84574"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/084/575/original/2019-04-10_11-34-40.png?1554864089" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="84575"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/084/576/original/2019-04-10_11-35-29.png?1554864110" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="84576"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><div class="content-caption"><hr></div><p><strong>RPS 'BOTTOMS'</strong> - 360 companies have seen their RPS fall to '-2' or below in the last two years, and the average Oversold 'persistence' is 59 days. For larger capitalisation companies, the numbers are 82 companies and 84 days. Some recent examples of positive RPS mean reversion in the last two months have been <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27149" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27149:1">Mercari (4385 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/2167" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2167:1">AGC (5201 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/26181" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26181:1">Pksha Technology (3993 JP)</a>.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/084/581/original/2019-04-10_11-46-40.png?1554864563" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="84581"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/084/582/original/2019-04-10_11-47-16.png?1554864581" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="84582"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/084/583/original/2019-04-10_11-48-48.png?1554864598" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="84583"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL </strong>section below, we list the current very overbought (RPS&gt;5), too late to buy (RPS &gt;4&lt;5) and oversold (RPS &lt;-2) stocks as well as the most substantial three-month positive and negative changes in RPS.</p></div>

- RELATIVE PRICE SCORE - INTRODUCTION - The Relative Price Score (RPS) is a measure of stock price performance relative to TOPIX calculated by comparing the current deviation with the mean absolute deviation of monthly and daily relative share prices. As all companies are thus on a comparable scale, 'Overbought' and 'Oversold' outliers and changes in scoring can reveal short-term and longer-term trading opportunities. Company outlier thresholds are set at +4 &amp; -2 and equate to the top and bottom first-to-second percentiles of historical observations from which mean reversion takes a matter of months. This insight updates our list of Overbought and Oversold companies, reviews the best and worst performing companies in terms of RPS over the last three months and adds some specific comments on stocks on each category.STATISTICS - Currently, of the 3,804 listed companies for which daily RPS data is available, 79 companies are 'Overbought', and 117 are 'Oversold' - 2.1% and 3.1%, respectively of the total. For the 779 companies with a market capitalisation of over ¥100b, there are 42 'Overbought' and 28 'Oversold' companies, 5.4% and 3.6%, respectively illustrating the relative strength of larger capitalisation stocks at this stage of the cycle. RPS 'TOPS' - In the last two years, 438 companies have achieved an RPS of '4' or more and the average Overbought 'persistence' is 45 days.  For companies with a market capitalisation higher than ¥100b, the numbers are 92 companies and 83 days - demonstrating the superior persistence of large capitalisation companies in this regard. Some examples of RPS mean reversion in the last three months have been Kyudenko (1959 JP), Nichirei (2871 JP). Fancl (4921 JP), FamilyMart Uny (8028 JP), Infocom Corp (4348 JP), and SanBio (4592 JP). Source: Japan AnalyticsRPS 'BOTTOMS' - 360 companies have seen their RPS fall to '-2' or below in the last two years, and the average Oversold 'persistence' is 59 days. For larger capitalisation companies, the numbers are 82 companies and 84 days. Some recent examples of positive RPS mean reversion in the last two months have been Mercari (4385 JP), AGC (5201 JP), and Pksha Technology (3993 JP).Source: Japan AnalyticsIn the DETAIL section below, we list the current very overbought (RPS&gt;5), too late to buy (RPS &gt;4&lt;5) and oversold (RPS &lt;-2) stocks as well as the most substantial three-month positive and negative changes in RPS.

🇯🇵 Japan • Relative Price Scores - Overbought & Oversold Companies - April 2019

Japan

NOF CORPORATION is a diversified chemical producer whose products include processed oil/fats, explosives and other chemical products. The Company has manufacturing/sales subsidiaries in US, Indonesia and China.

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NOF (4403 JP)

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