Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>After 3D Investment Partners bought a large slug of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-soft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17504:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP)</a> in early 2022, the company started a review of governance and capital allocation. </li>
<li>The company updated investors in August, and bought in 4 listed subs in November-December 2023. The August update suggested a Q1 2024 decision on use/ownership of real estate.</li>
<li>The Final Report is due in a month. In the meantime, the stock rallied Friday off a news article suggesting the Board was reviewing take-private proposals. Yes, but...</li>
</ul>


After 3D Investment Partners bought a large slug of Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP) in early 2022, the company started a review of governance and capital allocation. 
The company updated investors in August, and bought in 4 listed subs in November-December 2023. The August update suggested a Q1 2024 decision on use/ownership of real estate.
The Final Report is due in a month. In the meantime, the stock rallied Friday off a news article suggesting the Board was reviewing take-private proposals. Yes, but...


Fuji Soft (9749) - Much Better Governance Process But The Stock Has Run Too Far

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>On 28 April 2022, with full-year earnings, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujitsu-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16968:1" rel="noopener">Fujitsu Ltd (6702 JP)</a> announced a buyback programme to buy back up to 12mm shares (6.11% of shares out) for up to ¥150bn</li>
<li>That was when the shares were ¥18,540. The shares popped 10% in 2 days. Then fell 25% into end-September. Yesterday, they announced they'd bought back 1.9mm shares in November.</li>
<li>Those were the first shares bought back under the Programme. And that leaves 4 months and a lot of stock to buy. </li>
</ul>


On 28 April 2022, with full-year earnings, Fujitsu Ltd (6702 JP) announced a buyback programme to buy back up to 12mm shares (6.11% of shares out) for up to ¥150bn
That was when the shares were ¥18,540. The shares popped 10% in 2 days. Then fell 25% into end-September. Yesterday, they announced they'd bought back 1.9mm shares in November.
Those were the first shares bought back under the Programme. And that leaves 4 months and a lot of stock to buy. 


Fujitsu (6702) Buyback Just Getting Started

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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>A positive earnings surprise for Fast Retailing and Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard hitting Sony have hurt the performance of our skew trade. </li>
<li>Despite this, the dramatic fall in the Nikkei means it is now outperforming the Nikkei since we first suggested the trade. </li>
<li>Looking forward we expect recent volatility to be absorbed over time and we retain conviction on our picks.</li>
</ul>


A positive earnings surprise for Fast Retailing and Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard hitting Sony have hurt the performance of our skew trade. 
Despite this, the dramatic fall in the Nikkei means it is now outperforming the Nikkei since we first suggested the trade. 
Looking forward we expect recent volatility to be absorbed over time and we retain conviction on our picks.


TOPIX-Nikkei Skew Trade Hit by Sony and Fast Retailing but Outperforming Nikkei

<ul>
<li>We update on our TOPIX-Nikkei Skew Trade again as we head into the end of the year with markets remaining choppy.</li>
<li>Given likely drops in liquidity but continued choppiness in markets we feel that liquidity risk will be important over the next 2-3 weeks. </li>
<li>Given that, we quite like the risk-reward skew on offer here.</li>
</ul>


We update on our TOPIX-Nikkei Skew Trade again as we head into the end of the year with markets remaining choppy.
Given likely drops in liquidity but continued choppiness in markets we feel that liquidity risk will be important over the next 2-3 weeks. 
Given that, we quite like the risk-reward skew on offer here.


We Like the TOPIX-Nikkei Skew Trade Into End of Year Liquidity Drops

<ul>
<li>At the beginning of the month, we suggested that setting up trades based on TOPIX outperforming Nikkei looked interesting. </li>
<li>This skew trade has a slight inherent short bias as Nikkei is more growth skewed but it has nevertheless generated a positive return. </li>
<li>That is despite Nikkei rising 3.8% since we published our initial note.</li>
</ul>


At the beginning of the month, we suggested that setting up trades based on TOPIX outperforming Nikkei looked interesting. 
This skew trade has a slight inherent short bias as Nikkei is more growth skewed but it has nevertheless generated a positive return. 
That is despite Nikkei rising 3.8% since we published our initial note.


Checking in on the Topix-Nikkei Skew Trade

Japan

OBIC Co., Ltd. provides computer system integration, office automation, consultation, and system support services primarily for small and medium size companies.  The Company sells, leases, and maintains computers, peripherals, and related systems.  OBIC also develops and sells customized software and network systems.

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OBIC Co Ltd (4684 JP)

Fuji Soft (9749) - Much Better Governance Process But The Stock Has Run Too Far

Fuji Soft rallied 9% Friday after reaching a near-all-time high on Thursday. A Nikkei article hinted the Board was considering PE Firms' take...

Travis Lundy

Fujitsu (6702) Buyback Just Getting Started

Fujitsu announced their buyback many months ago (late April 2022) but bought nothing til last month when they were 15%. Expect 11-15% of volume...

Travis Lundy

TOPIX-Nikkei Skew Trade Hit by Sony and Fast Retailing but Outperforming Nikkei

Volatility in Fast Retailing and Sony have hurt the performance of our skew trade but looking forward we expect recent volatility to be absorbed...

Mio Kato

We Like the TOPIX-Nikkei Skew Trade Into End of Year Liquidity Drops

Given likely drops in liquidity but continued choppiness in markets we feel that liquidity risk will be important over the next 2-3 weeks. Given...

Mio Kato

Checking in on the Topix-Nikkei Skew Trade

Our TOPIX-Nikkei skew trade has a slight inherent short bias as Nikkei is more growth skewed but it has nevertheless generated a positive return...

Mio Kato

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