Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities

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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The share price was up 4.4% on Friday - and up 2.3x since the end of October - raising forward valuations to the high side of their usual range.</li>
<li>Management raised FY Mar-24 operating profit guidance slightly after 3Q results that were strong YoY but flat QoQ. 4Q should be better as finished goods inventory is shipped.</li>
<li>Operating efficiency has improved and a new semiconductor up-cycle has begun, but the numbers suggest caution. Take profits and reassess.</li>
</ul>


The share price was up 4.4% on Friday - and up 2.3x since the end of October - raising forward valuations to the high side of their usual range.
Management raised FY Mar-24 operating profit guidance slightly after 3Q results that were strong YoY but flat QoQ. 4Q should be better as finished goods inventory is shipped.
Operating efficiency has improved and a new semiconductor up-cycle has begun, but the numbers suggest caution. Take profits and reassess.


Screen Holdings (7735): Share Price Straight Up, Financials Not so Simple

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

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>There were index review announcements for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">HSI</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">HSCEI INDEX</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-tech-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31367:1" rel="noopener">HSTECH</a>, HSCI, HSIII and some global indices last week.</li>
<li>There are a bunch of review cutoffs early in the coming week followed by announcements for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sse-science-and-technology-innovation-board-50-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29279:1" rel="noopener">STAR50 INDEX</a> and STAR100 Index later in the week.</li>
<li>Another week of outflows for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tracker-fund-of-hong-kong-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29257:1" rel="noopener">Tracker Fund of Hong Kong (2800 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index-etf" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng H Share ETF (2828 HK)</a> as inflows to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ishares-msci-emerging-markets-223f5da3-7054-4e4f-bc55-b7f0852c2581" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31998:1" rel="noopener">iShares Emerging Markets ex-China (EMXC US)</a> continue.</li>
</ul>


There were index review announcements for the HSI, HSCEI INDEX, HSTECH, HSCI, HSIII and some global indices last week.
There are a bunch of review cutoffs early in the coming week followed by announcements for the STAR50 INDEX and STAR100 Index later in the week.
Another week of outflows for Tracker Fund of Hong Kong (2800 HK) and Hang Seng H Share ETF (2828 HK) as inflows to iShares Emerging Markets ex-China (EMXC US) continue.


Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: HSI, Screen Holdings, GMRI, SEA EM, MVIS, SET50, JP Positioning

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/screen-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5563:1" rel="noopener">SCREEN Holdings (7735 JP)</a> could be added to a global index at the end of the month and there will be a lot of buying in the stock.</li>
<li>There is a fair bit of positioning for the potential passive buying and there will be supply in the stock.</li>
<li>However, the stock trades cheaper than its peers and a correction could provide an opportunity for long-term investors to enter the stock.</li>
</ul>



SCREEN Holdings (7735 JP) could be added to a global index at the end of the month and there will be a lot of buying in the stock.
There is a fair bit of positioning for the potential passive buying and there will be supply in the stock.
However, the stock trades cheaper than its peers and a correction could provide an opportunity for long-term investors to enter the stock.


Screen Holdings (7735 JP): Positioning & Potential Passive Buying

<ul>
<li>The share price has risen by more than 20% in the past month as 1H results beat guidance, FY guidance was raised and the yen weakened.</li>
<li>The 2-for-1 stock split may also have attracted retail investors. But the new FY guidance implies lower 2H guidance. </li>
<li>The outlook is for higher but volatile sales and profits. Valuations are reasonable but not compelling. Wait for a pullback.</li>
</ul>


The share price has risen by more than 20% in the past month as 1H results beat guidance, FY guidance was raised and the yen weakened.
The 2-for-1 stock split may also have attracted retail investors. But the new FY guidance implies lower 2H guidance. 
The outlook is for higher but volatile sales and profits. Valuations are reasonable but not compelling. Wait for a pullback.


Screen Holdings (7735 JP): FY Guidance Up, 2H Guidance Down

<ul>
<li>Japan's new restrictions on exports of semiconductor production equipment to China are a potential threat to Screen.</li>
<li>TSMC's announcement that 2023 capex is likely to be at the low end of the forecast range is another negative. </li>
<li>Share price consolidation should continue until guidance is lowered or verified.</li>
</ul>


Japan's new restrictions on exports of semiconductor production equipment to China are a potential threat to Screen.
TSMC's announcement that 2023 capex is likely to be at the low end of the forecast range is another negative. 
Share price consolidation should continue until guidance is lowered or verified.


Screen Holdings (7735 JP): Export Restrictions Add to Uncertainty

Japan

SCREEN Holdings Co Ltd.  manufactures and sell semiconductors, FPD devices, commercial printing and printed circuit boards(PCB). The company also provides additional services for its products.

SCREEN Holdings (7735 JP)

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: HSI, Screen Holdings, GMRI, SEA EM, MVIS, SET50, JP Positioning

This recap highlights Insights covering Asian index rebalances (announcements/ forecasts/ IPO Fast Entry/ M&A driven changes). We also highlight...

Brian Freitas