Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Yesterday, post-close, Bloomberg reported a headline "<strong>*SILCHESTER REPORTS NIKON STAKE; MAY SEEK CAPITAL POLICY CHANGES</strong>"</li>
<li>That was exciting. It was in all caps. It was activist-ish-y. Today the stock rose 10.3% and we got another article saying it was up because of Silchester's filing.</li>
<li>Beware the Bloomberg headline. Nuance is sometimes lost. They aren't always designed to help investors invest. Often, the main purpose is clickbait.</li>
</ul>


Yesterday, post-close, Bloomberg reported a headline "*SILCHESTER REPORTS NIKON STAKE; MAY SEEK CAPITAL POLICY CHANGES"
That was exciting. It was in all caps. It was activist-ish-y. Today the stock rose 10.3% and we got another article saying it was up because of Silchester's filing.
Beware the Bloomberg headline. Nuance is sometimes lost. They aren't always designed to help investors invest. Often, the main purpose is clickbait.


Nikon (7731) - Beware The Bloomberg Headline But There's Value Here

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>On 19 April, Taiyo Co-CEO Brian Heywood told <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bidding-war-prompts-taiyo-consider-030026276.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg</a> and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-fund-taiyo-says-it-may-buy-into-brother-bid-niche-japanese-printer-2024-04-19/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a> they were considering three options to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/brother-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6114:1" rel="noopener">Brother Industries (6448 JP)</a>’s tender for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/roland-dg-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10653:1" rel="noopener">Roland DG Corp (6789 JP)</a>. </li>
<li>Taiyo’s options are bumping its offer, walking away or tendering into the Brother’s offer if it bumps and alleviates dis-synergies concerns.</li>
<li>All three options are likely a ruse. Taiyo’s primary play is to frustrate and pressure Brother to withdraw its bid if it cannot get the Board’s recommendation.</li>
</ul>


On 19 April, Taiyo Co-CEO Brian Heywood told Bloomberg and Reuters they were considering three options to Brother Industries (6448 JP)’s tender for Roland DG Corp (6789 JP). 
Taiyo’s options are bumping its offer, walking away or tendering into the Brother’s offer if it bumps and alleviates dis-synergies concerns.
All three options are likely a ruse. Taiyo’s primary play is to frustrate and pressure Brother to withdraw its bid if it cannot get the Board’s recommendation.


Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Mulling Three Options or Is It?

President, Vision Research

Robert C Prather Jr

President

Vision Research

Vision Research was formed in 2004 with the vision of generating the best possible fundamental analysis and investment research for smid cap US equities. In 2008, we broadened our coverage to include mid/large cap US stocks.  After researching a  few ideas outside the US each year for a number of years, we launched a dedicated non-US equity product at the end of 2015.  This was followed by the introduction of a product focused on IPOs in mid-2017.

Fundamental Insight

<ul>
<li>Large portion of the business is in secular decline and facing pricing pressure</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ricoh-company-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15359:1" rel="noopener">Ricoh Company Ltd (7752 JP)</a> appears to be losing share in a shrinking market</li>
<li>Estimates are above overly optimistic guidance making shares look optically inexpensive</li>
</ul>


Large portion of the business is in secular decline and facing pricing pressure

Ricoh Company Ltd (7752 JP) appears to be losing share in a shrinking market
Estimates are above overly optimistic guidance making shares look optically inexpensive


Ricoh (7752 JP) - Long Term Structural Decliner with a Recent Boost in Inorganic Rev & Profits

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> announced a second buyback this fiscal year on 15 June. As discussed here previously, Canon buybacks are short, sharp, and sweet. </li>
<li>The recent one should be done imminently (15 May start ended 13 July). 16 June start? (Note: Canon reports buyback results at 3pm local time, and did not report today).</li>
<li>This time we have a double-setup with buyback ending and a large TOPIX sell on Canon on 28 July. </li>
</ul>



Canon Inc (7751 JP) announced a second buyback this fiscal year on 15 June. As discussed here previously, Canon buybacks are short, sharp, and sweet. 
The recent one should be done imminently (15 May start ended 13 July). 16 June start? (Note: Canon reports buyback results at 3pm local time, and did not report today).
This time we have a double-setup with buyback ending and a large TOPIX sell on Canon on 28 July. 


Canon (7751) Buyback Almost Done, TPX Selldown to Come = Trade Vs Ricoh or Basket

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> announced 2023 full-year results on 30 January. Results were mixed. Revenues did OK. Net Profit underperformed expectations. 2024 Net Profit Guidance is 1% higher than consensus.</li>
<li>Canon has a 15yr history of one kind of buyback. ¥50bn every time. 19 times in a row. Short (10 weeks max), sharp, executions (executed in 3-5 weeks). Every time. </li>
<li>This time offers a new buyback. ¥100bn. Over the space of a year. That's only 3% of ADV but the shareholder structure is different than you think it is.</li>
</ul>



Canon Inc (7751 JP) announced 2023 full-year results on 30 January. Results were mixed. Revenues did OK. Net Profit underperformed expectations. 2024 Net Profit Guidance is 1% higher than consensus.
Canon has a 15yr history of one kind of buyback. ¥50bn every time. 19 times in a row. Short (10 weeks max), sharp, executions (executed in 3-5 weeks). Every time. 
This time offers a new buyback. ¥100bn. Over the space of a year. That's only 3% of ADV but the shareholder structure is different than you think it is.


Canon (7751) - OK 2023 Results, Better Guidance, Bigger, Longer, Slower Buyback

Japan

RICOH COMPANY, LTD. manufactures and markets office automation equipment, electronic devices, and photographic instruments.  The Company's diverse product line includes facsimiles, image scanners, printers, digital cameras, and personal computers, as well as a full range of analog, digital, and color copiers. Ricoh operates with a network of sales offices and tie-ups worldwide.

Ricoh Company Ltd (7752 JP)

Nikon (7731) - Beware The Bloomberg Headline But There's Value Here

Nikon is a cheap company with dual personalities, which keeps its multiple low. It has cash and securities too. Silchester bought 5% and Bloomberg...

Travis Lundy

Roland DG (6789 JP): Taiyo Mulling Three Options or Is It?

Taiyo’s press interviews are a smokescreen for its primary tactic of frustrating and pressing Brother to withdraw its bid if it cannot get the...

Arun George

Ricoh (7752 JP) - Long Term Structural Decliner with a Recent Boost in Inorganic Rev & Profits

A large portion of Ricoh's business is losing market share in an industry that is facing secular declines. Estimates that above optimistic...

Robert C Prather Jr

Canon (7751) Buyback Almost Done, TPX Selldown to Come = Trade Vs Ricoh or Basket

Canon's recent buyback should almost be done. Historically, Canon underperforms Peers post buyback end. This time, we also have a TOPIX downweight...

Travis Lundy

Canon (7751) - OK 2023 Results, Better Guidance, Bigger, Longer, Slower Buyback

Canon results were OK but underperformed expectations at the net level. Guidance for 2024 are slightly above consensus. Interesting news is that...

Travis Lundy