Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>NVDA disappoints market expectations and trades -7% after-market, setting a very weak tone for Japanese SPE and tech related names to start.</li>
<li>The bad news for 4911 Shiseido continues, with the tone out of a small sell-side meeting held yesterday after-market pointed to further earnings downside.</li>
<li>Expect a continued rotation into value and domestic defensives as the market pivots away from AI/tech with plenty of room for profit taking after the recent rebound.</li>
</ul>


NVDA disappoints market expectations and trades -7% after-market, setting a very weak tone for Japanese SPE and tech related names to start.
The bad news for 4911 Shiseido continues, with the tone out of a small sell-side meeting held yesterday after-market pointed to further earnings downside.
Expect a continued rotation into value and domestic defensives as the market pivots away from AI/tech with plenty of room for profit taking after the recent rebound.


Japan Morning Connection: NVDA Disappoints

Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>AMAT mentions “tremendous architecture inflections” in Logic and Memory (GAA, BSPD, HBM), this is true. But reviewed yesterday, how much, how fast versus declining Mature Logic and China declining?</li>
<li>2025 China to decline -25%, RoW to increase +25% on AI. This should continue in 2026. Post China’s elevated capex in 2023-24, the SPE sector is a play on AI. </li>
<li>ASML and KLA are 1) quasi monopoly 2) in segments that outgrow the total market. ASML is cheapish, KAL at average valuations. Best 2 stocks: ASML, KLA</li>
</ul>


AMAT mentions “tremendous architecture inflections” in Logic and Memory (GAA, BSPD, HBM), this is true. But reviewed yesterday, how much, how fast versus declining Mature Logic and China declining?
2025 China to decline -25%, RoW to increase +25% on AI. This should continue in 2026. Post China’s elevated capex in 2023-24, the SPE sector is a play on AI. 
ASML and KLA are 1) quasi monopoly 2) in segments that outgrow the total market. ASML is cheapish, KAL at average valuations. Best 2 stocks: ASML, KLA


SPE Part 2: Growth in 2025-26 from AI Segment Only (Logic, HBM, Packaging). Best 2 Stocks: ASML, KLA

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Hua Hong Semiconductor / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Hong Kong's secular bull market continues this year with record buying from mainland investors through the Southbound Connect platform.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aac-technologies-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6544:1" rel="noopener">AAC Technologies Holdings (2018 HK)</a> announced a positive profit alert of of 150% increase in profit for 2024.  The AI, phone and auto segments saw value content increases.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hua-hong-semiconductor-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7201:1" rel="noopener">Hua Hong Semiconductor (1347 HK)</a> is well-positioned to cater to China's increasing demand for locally designed and produced chips, especially in the EV, smart home appliances and wearables industries.
</li>
</ul>


Hong Kong's secular bull market continues this year with record buying from mainland investors through the Southbound Connect platform.

AAC Technologies Holdings (2018 HK) announced a positive profit alert of of 150% increase in profit for 2024.  The AI, phone and auto segments saw value content increases.


Hua Hong Semiconductor (1347 HK) is well-positioned to cater to China's increasing demand for locally designed and produced chips, especially in the EV, smart home appliances and wearables industries.



BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Update (February 20)

Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Senior Technology Analyst, 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.

<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

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

<ul>
<li>
Context: The <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> vs. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:280:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Electron (8035 JP)</a>price ratio has deviated more than two standard deviations from its one-year average, presenting a potential relative value opportunity.</li>
<li>
 Highlight: Going long <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:280:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Electron (8035 JP)</a> and short <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/screen-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5563:1" rel="noopener">SCREEN (7735 JP)</a> targets a 7% return.</li>
<li>
WhyRead: Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean-reversion opportunities, with detailed execution framework, risk management protocols, and historical simulation showing the statistical basis for this relative value play.</li>
</ul>



Context: The SCREEN Holdings (7735 JP) vs. Tokyo Electron (8035 JP)price ratio has deviated more than two standard deviations from its one-year average, presenting a potential relative value opportunity.

 Highlight: Going long Tokyo Electron (8035 JP) and short SCREEN (7735 JP) targets a 7% return.

WhyRead: Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean-reversion opportunities, with detailed execution framework, risk management protocols, and historical simulation showing the statistical basis for this relative value play.


Tokyo Electron (8035 JP) Vs SCREEN (7735 JP): 7% Return Target Pair Trade Ahead of Same-Day Earnings

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.

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SCREEN Holdings (7735 JP)

Japan Morning Connection: NVDA Disappoints

NVDA disappoints market, setting weak tone for Japanese tech names. Shiseido faces further earnings downside. Market pivots to value and domestic...

Andrew Jackson

SPE Part 2: Growth in 2025-26 from AI Segment Only (Logic, HBM, Packaging). Best 2 Stocks: ASML, KLA

architectural advancements in Logic and Memory, but questions remain on growth rates and China's decline. ASML and KLA are top picks in the sector....

Nicolas Baratte

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Update (February 20)

Mainland investors are buying record amounts in HK during secular bull mkt. AAC Tech reported positive earnings surprise and Hua Hong is rapidly...

David Mudd

Tokyo Electron (8035 JP) Vs SCREEN (7735 JP): 7% Return Target Pair Trade Ahead of Same-Day Earnings

7% target return in a pair trade between Japanese chip-equipment peers ahead of same-day earnings. Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean...

Gaudenz Schneider

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japan Morning Connection: NVDA Disappoints

​NVDA disappoints market, setting weak tone for Japanese tech names. Shiseido faces further earnings downside. Market pivots to value and domestic...

Andrew Jackson

SPE Part 2: Growth in 2025-26 from AI Segment Only (Logic, HBM, Packaging). Best 2 Stocks: ASML, KLA

architectural advancements in Logic and Memory, but questions remain on growth rates and China's decline. ASML and KLA are top picks in the sector....

Nicolas Baratte

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Update (February 20)

Mainland investors are buying record amounts in HK during secular bull mkt. AAC Tech reported positive earnings surprise and Hua Hong is rapidly...

David Mudd

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

Screen's share price has risen 2.3x since October, discounting plausible growth scenarios. Efficiency gains are impressive, but inventory is at a...

Scott Foster

Tokyo Electron (8035 JP) Vs SCREEN (7735 JP): 7% Return Target Pair Trade Ahead of Same-Day Earnings

7% target return in a pair trade between Japanese chip-equipment peers ahead of same-day earnings. Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean...

Gaudenz Schneider

NVDA disappoints market, setting weak tone for Japanese tech names. Shiseido faces further earnings downside. Market pivots to value and domestic...