Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>On 16th April 2020, Bloomberg reported that Gilead Sciences is considering acquiring a significant stake in Arcus Biosciences, a cancer therapeutics company backed by Alphabet Inc. (through its venture capital arm GV). We believe that the company’s interest lies in obtaining Arcus’ anti-TIGIT treatment, AB154 which is currently in phase 2 clinical trial for treating cancer.</li>
<li>Following the news release, Arcus’ shares jumped by around 89% to US$29.5 at the end of its trading on the 16th.</li>
<li>The deal could either be an equity purchase in Arcus or some other form of collaboration between the two companies. There is however no certainty of the deal and the talks could still fall apart.</li>
<li>The global immune-oncology market is expected to grow rapidly over the next couple of years driven by shifting demand for cell/immune based treatments from conventional chemotherapy drugs/treatments.</li>
<li>The demand for personalised treatments using genomic and immunity for oncology have been growing and the big pharma giants have been increasingly investing on small biotech firms with solid product pipelines to replenish their drug pipeline and earn high-returns.</li>
</ul>


On 16th April 2020, Bloomberg reported that Gilead Sciences is considering acquiring a significant stake in Arcus Biosciences, a cancer therapeutics company backed by Alphabet Inc. (through its venture capital arm GV). We believe that the company’s interest lies in obtaining Arcus’ anti-TIGIT treatment, AB154 which is currently in phase 2 clinical trial for treating cancer.
Following the news release, Arcus’ shares jumped by around 89% to US$29.5 at the end of its trading on the 16th.
The deal could either be an equity purchase in Arcus or some other form of collaboration between the two companies. There is however no certainty of the deal and the talks could still fall apart.
The global immune-oncology market is expected to grow rapidly over the next couple of years driven by shifting demand for cell/immune based treatments from conventional chemotherapy drugs/treatments.
The demand for personalised treatments using genomic and immunity for oncology have been growing and the big pharma giants have been increasingly investing on small biotech firms with solid product pipelines to replenish their drug pipeline and earn high-returns.


Gilead to Acquire a Stake in Arcus Biosciences; Offer May Come at a Large Premium

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.

Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alphamab-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28213:1" rel="noopener">Alphamab Co Ltd (1728643D CH)</a> is a pre-revenue biotech company with a focus on research and development, manufacturing and commercialisation of biologics for oncology. It has launched a Hong Kong IPO to raise up to HK$1.83 billion ($234 million). <div class="content-highlight">The core product is KN046, and along with KN026 are the two drug candidates which are likely to be launched in the next 3-4 years. Overall, we believe that the key products have strong prospects and Alphamab’s cash burn is manageable. </div>

Alphamab Co Ltd (1728643D CH) is a pre-revenue biotech company with a focus on research and development, manufacturing and commercialisation of biologics for oncology. It has launched a Hong Kong IPO to raise up to HK$1.83 billion ($234 million). The core product is KN046, and along with KN026 are the two drug candidates which are likely to be launched in the next 3-4 years. Overall, we believe that the key products have strong prospects and Alphamab’s cash burn is manageable. 

Alphamab Oncology IPO Initiation: Clear Diagnosis

Shanghai Henlius Biotech / Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-henlius-biotech" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27888:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Henlius Biotech (1566213D HK)</a> is a biopharmaceutical company and a non-wholly owned subsidiary of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-fosun-pharmaceutical-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8045:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) (2196 HK)</a>, a 61% shareholder. In July 2019, Henlius resubmitted its application to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to raise a rumoured $500 million.<div class="content-highlight">Henlius’ core products include commercialised and near-commercial stage biosimilars. In China, Henlius’ core products will address four out of the top five largest biosimilars by forecasted sales revenue from 2023 to 2030, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. Overall, we believe that most of the core products have strong prospects.</div>

Shanghai Henlius Biotech (1566213D HK) is a biopharmaceutical company and a non-wholly owned subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) (2196 HK), a 61% shareholder. In July 2019, Henlius resubmitted its application to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to raise a rumoured $500 million.Henlius’ core products include commercialised and near-commercial stage biosimilars. In China, Henlius’ core products will address four out of the top five largest biosimilars by forecasted sales revenue from 2023 to 2030, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. Overall, we believe that most of the core products have strong prospects.

Shanghai Henlius Biotech IPO Initiation: Going Large

'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/000/080/728/original/2019-03-02_20-40-55.png?1551526871" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="80728"></figure>Source: Japan Analytics
</div>LIQUIDITY RULES - Despite the continuous stream of negative macroeconomic news from Japan and other economies, financial liquidity trends are the strongest in over two years, and much of this 'boom' is flowing into risk assets. Large-scale repatriation of offshore funds by US companies has also helped boost the US dollar against the yen. The Market Composite responded by rising 2.3% over the last two weeks, although only by 1% in US dollar terms.WEAK MACRO - Net exports and higher inventories offset private investment and consumption during the fourth quarter, resulting in flat GDP growth year-on-year. January industrial production fell to the lowest level in 30 months, and, with the manufacturing PMI nearing 50, the prospect is for further weakness this quarter. Inventories continue to rise and, in North Asia, to levels last seen in 2005. Combined with the sharp fall in exports in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, export pricing in back in deflationary territory, putting further upward pressure on real interest rates.  Meanwhile, January retail sales saw the largest month-on-month decline in over three years as department stores saw fewer Chinese tourists over the New Year.  Equity markets are living on 'borrowed time'.  <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/080/722/original/2019-03-02_18-02-59.png?1551517390" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="80722"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/080/724/original/2019-03-02_18-07-56.png?1551517689" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="80724"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/080/729/original/2019-03-02_20-41-51.png?1551526925" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="80729"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>HOLD FOR NOW - This bear market rally is two months old and is maturing. The Value Traded ratio is below trend again, the RSI is neutral, and the Toraku is signalling caution. We expect another month of liquidity/weak Yen-driven strength before the economic realities begin to prevail.MARKET/SECTOR STRATEGY- We continue to recommend an underweight position in Japan in global portfolios and favour undervalued domestically-orientated companies in the Information Technology, Internet, Media, Transportation, Healthcare and Telecommunications sectors. We would avoid or short the financial sectors Banks, Non-Bank Finance and Multi-Industry. We would underweight the Auto, Retail and Other Consumer Products sectors as consumer spending contracts further in the US, Europe, China and Japan. In the DETAIL section below, we will review Sector performance, company results, revisions and stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/10020" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10020:1">Sakai Moving Service (9039 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/20269" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20269:1">Sumitomo Chemical (4005 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/8431" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8431:1">Parco (8251 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/4489" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4489:1">Chugai Pharmaceutical (4519 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/14674" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14674:1">Nichias (5393 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27043" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27043:1">Raksul (4384 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/10503" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10503:1">Daito Trust (1878 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/14502" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14502:1">Benefit One (2412 JP)</a>.


Source: Japan Analytics
LIQUIDITY RULES - Despite the continuous stream of negative macroeconomic news from Japan and other economies, financial liquidity trends are the strongest in over two years, and much of this 'boom' is flowing into risk assets. Large-scale repatriation of offshore funds by US companies has also helped boost the US dollar against the yen. The Market Composite responded by rising 2.3% over the last two weeks, although only by 1% in US dollar terms.WEAK MACRO - Net exports and higher inventories offset private investment and consumption during the fourth quarter, resulting in flat GDP growth year-on-year. January industrial production fell to the lowest level in 30 months, and, with the manufacturing PMI nearing 50, the prospect is for further weakness this quarter. Inventories continue to rise and, in North Asia, to levels last seen in 2005. Combined with the sharp fall in exports in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, export pricing in back in deflationary territory, putting further upward pressure on real interest rates.  Meanwhile, January retail sales saw the largest month-on-month decline in over three years as department stores saw fewer Chinese tourists over the New Year.  Equity markets are living on 'borrowed time'.  Source: Japan AnalyticsHOLD FOR NOW - This bear market rally is two months old and is maturing. The Value Traded ratio is below trend again, the RSI is neutral, and the Toraku is signalling caution. We expect another month of liquidity/weak Yen-driven strength before the economic realities begin to prevail.MARKET/SECTOR STRATEGY- We continue to recommend an underweight position in Japan in global portfolios and favour undervalued domestically-orientated companies in the Information Technology, Internet, Media, Transportation, Healthcare and Telecommunications sectors. We would avoid or short the financial sectors Banks, Non-Bank Finance and Multi-Industry. We would underweight the Auto, Retail and Other Consumer Products sectors as consumer spending contracts further in the US, Europe, China and Japan. In the DETAIL section below, we will review Sector performance, company results, revisions and stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on Sakai Moving Service (9039 JP), Sumitomo Chemical (4005 JP), Parco (8251 JP), Chugai Pharmaceutical (4519 JP), Nichias (5393 JP), Raksul (4384 JP), Daito Trust (1878 JP), and Benefit One (2412 JP).   

🇯🇵 Japan • Fortnightly Update - Liquidity Rules

Founder

Kemp Dolliver, CFA

Cherrystone Hill Research

The oncology treatment landscape in China is evolving rapidly as the government has prioritized access to innovative drugs to meet this significant unmet need. In particular, investors considering the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27888" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27888:1">Shanghai Henlius Biotech (1566213D HK)</a> listing should be aware of the emergence of a drug that potentially is superior to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/27906" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27906:1">Roche Holding AG (ROG SW)</a>'s Herceptin (and Shanghai Henlius' HLX02) for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer (and ultimately HER2-positive gastric cancer). While there should be good demand for cheaper alternatives to Herceptin, the availability of a superior alternative potentially shortens the lifecycle of Herceptin biosimilars. China has only recently "modernized" its drug approval and reimbursement, so there is little precedent to rely upon to estimate the speed and magnitude of changes in the market. As brokers rollout forecasts for the company and HLX02, investors should ask if the numbers somehow reflect this risk.We do not have a view of the offering, but tag this Insight as Bearish because we are highlighting a potential risk.

The oncology treatment landscape in China is evolving rapidly as the government has prioritized access to innovative drugs to meet this significant unmet need. In particular, investors considering the Shanghai Henlius Biotech (1566213D HK) listing should be aware of the emergence of a drug that potentially is superior to Roche Holding AG (ROG SW)'s Herceptin (and Shanghai Henlius' HLX02) for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer (and ultimately HER2-positive gastric cancer). While there should be good demand for cheaper alternatives to Herceptin, the availability of a superior alternative potentially shortens the lifecycle of Herceptin biosimilars. China has only recently "modernized" its drug approval and reimbursement, so there is little precedent to rely upon to estimate the speed and magnitude of changes in the market. As brokers rollout forecasts for the company and HLX02, investors should ask if the numbers somehow reflect this risk.We do not have a view of the offering, but tag this Insight as Bearish because we are highlighting a potential risk.

United States

Roche Holding AG develops and manufactures pharmaceutical and diagnostic products. The Company produces prescription drugs in the areas of cardiovascular, infectious, autoimmune, respiratory diseases, dermatology, metabolic disorders, oncology, transplantation, and the central nervous system. Roche Holding serves customers worldwide.

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Roche Holding (RO SE)

Gilead to Acquire a Stake in Arcus Biosciences; Offer May Come at a Large Premium

On 16th April 2020, Bloomberg reported that Gilead Sciences is considering acquiring a significant stake in Arcus Biosciences, a cancer...

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Alphamab Oncology IPO Initiation: Clear Diagnosis

Alphamab Co Ltd (1728643D CH) is a pre-revenue biotech company with a focus on research and development, manufacturing and commercialisation of...

Arun George

Shanghai Henlius Biotech IPO Initiation: Going Large

Shanghai Henlius Biotech (1566213D HK) is a biopharmaceutical company and a non-wholly owned subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group)...

Arun George

🇯🇵 Japan • Fortnightly Update - Liquidity Rules

LIQUIDITY RULES - Despite the continuous stream of negative macroeconomic news from Japan and other economies, financial liquidity trends are the...

Campbell Gunn

HLX02: Innovation Could Overtake

The oncology treatment landscape in China is evolving rapidly as the government has prioritized access to innovative drugs to meet this significant...

Kemp Dolliver, CFA

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