Global Materials | Industrials | Commodities

Rahul Jain

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Sojitz is a mid-tier sōgō shōsha with, shifting its earnings base from coal and resources toward Chemicals, Energy Solutions, and Healthcare.</li>
<li>FY25 profit is guided flat at ¥115bn, with Metals weakness offset by non-resource growth; by FY27, ~80% of profits are expected from non-resource segments.</li>
<li>Shares trade at 7.8x P/E (30–40% discount to peers) with a 4.2% yield, but cash flow volatility, coal exposure, and smaller scale remain key overhangs.</li>
</ul>


Sojitz is a mid-tier sōgō shōsha with, shifting its earnings base from coal and resources toward Chemicals, Energy Solutions, and Healthcare.
FY25 profit is guided flat at ¥115bn, with Metals weakness offset by non-resource growth; by FY27, ~80% of profits are expected from non-resource segments.
Shares trade at 7.8x P/E (30–40% discount to peers) with a 4.2% yield, but cash flow volatility, coal exposure, and smaller scale remain key overhangs.


Sojitz – Non-Resource Pivot in Motion, Valuation Discount Persists

<ul>
<li>Earnings Growth: Non-resource engines (Food, FamilyMart, ICT, Textiles) compounding at double-digit rates; mid- to high-single-digit EPS growth outlook.</li>
<li>Valuation: Trades at ~13× FY2026E P/E, in line with peers, offering steady TSR without a valuation premium.</li>
<li>Capital Returns: ¥200/share dividend + ¥150 bn buybacks underpin 40–50% payout; EPS uplift from share reduction.</li>
</ul>


Earnings Growth: Non-resource engines (Food, FamilyMart, ICT, Textiles) compounding at double-digit rates; mid- to high-single-digit EPS growth outlook.
Valuation: Trades at ~13× FY2026E P/E, in line with peers, offering steady TSR without a valuation premium.
Capital Returns: ¥200/share dividend + ¥150 bn buybacks underpin 40–50% payout; EPS uplift from share reduction.


Itochu (8001 JP) — Structural Growth, Fair Valuation, Solid TSR

<ul>
<li>Copper earnings leverage: Equity-method stakes in Collahuasi and Anglo Sur mean every +10% copper move adds ~¥25–30 bn net income (~3% EPS), giving Mitsui underappreciated upside torque.</li>
<li>LNG stability &amp; cash flows: Long-term contracts in Mozambique, Cameron, Qatar, and Sakhalin underpin resilient earnings and support ¥400 bn annual buybacks (~5% equity).</li>
<li>Valuation: P/B discount vs Itochu has closed (~1.1× each), but Berkshire’s ≥10% stake enforces capital discipline; TSR outlook is 6–9% CAGR through FY28, with copper strength providing double-digit upside.</li>
</ul>


Copper earnings leverage: Equity-method stakes in Collahuasi and Anglo Sur mean every +10% copper move adds ~¥25–30 bn net income (~3% EPS), giving Mitsui underappreciated upside torque.
LNG stability &amp; cash flows: Long-term contracts in Mozambique, Cameron, Qatar, and Sakhalin underpin resilient earnings and support ¥400 bn annual buybacks (~5% equity).
Valuation: P/B discount vs Itochu has closed (~1.1× each), but Berkshire’s ≥10% stake enforces capital discipline; TSR outlook is 6–9% CAGR through FY28, with copper strength providing double-digit upside.


Mitsui & Co. (8031.T): Copper-LNG Torque Driving a Rerating

<ul>
<li>Marubeni is a top-five Japanese trading house, diversified across resources, food, leasing, power, and chemicals.</li>
<li>Management is deploying ~¥1.2tn capex through FY30, tilted toward copper expansion in Chile and renewables growth.</li>
<li>Shares trade at ~11x P/E and 7–8% FCF yield with ~5% cash return yield, offering value on dips below ¥3,000.</li>
</ul>


Marubeni is a top-five Japanese trading house, diversified across resources, food, leasing, power, and chemicals.
Management is deploying ~¥1.2tn capex through FY30, tilted toward copper expansion in Chile and renewables growth.
Shares trade at ~11x P/E and 7–8% FCF yield with ~5% cash return yield, offering value on dips below ¥3,000.


Marubeni Corporation (TSE: 8002) – Copper Torque, Platform Pivot, and Cash Returns

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Japan's markets have again failed to break to new highs creating a potential for a double-top pattern.</li>
<li>Trump's policies which target lower interest rates and a weaker dollar will put pressure on Japan's markets as can be seen from the high correlation between the JPY and TPX.</li>
<li>Sectors such as trading companies, autos and semiconductors could see the most pressure under a Trump presidency.</li>
</ul>


Japan's markets have again failed to break to new highs creating a potential for a double-top pattern.
Trump's policies which target lower interest rates and a weaker dollar will put pressure on Japan's markets as can be seen from the high correlation between the JPY and TPX.
Sectors such as trading companies, autos and semiconductors could see the most pressure under a Trump presidency.


Trump Trades and the JAPAN Market Are Like Oil and Vinegar

Japan

Sojitz Corporation is a general trading company.  The Company has business divisions such as Machinery & Aerospace, Energy & Mineral Resources, Chemicals & Plastics, Real Estate Development & Forest Products, Consumer Lifestyle Business, and New Business Development Group.  Sojitz was formed through the business integration between Nichimen and Nissho Iwai.

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Sojitz Corp (2768 JP)

Sojitz – Non-Resource Pivot in Motion, Valuation Discount Persists

Sojitz diversifies earnings away from coal and resources towards Chemicals, Energy Solutions, and Healthcare,. Trading at a discount to peers with...

Rahul Jain

Itochu (8001 JP) — Structural Growth, Fair Valuation, Solid TSR

Article highlights strong earnings growth in non-resource sectors, steady valuation in line with peers, and significant capital returns through...

Rahul Jain

Mitsui & Co. (8031.T): Copper-LNG Torque Driving a Rerating

Mitsui's copper earnings leverage and LNG stability drive underappreciated upside potential, supported by resilient cash flows and strong...

Rahul Jain

Marubeni Corporation (TSE: 8002) – Copper Torque, Platform Pivot, and Cash Returns

Marubeni is a top-five Japanese trading house, diversified across resources, food, leasing, power, and chemicals. Shares trade at ~11x P/E and 7–8%...

Rahul Jain

Trump Trades and the JAPAN Market Are Like Oil and Vinegar

We pointed out that Japan's semi industry may be at risk as part of the "Trump Trade" sentiment. It turns out that Biden has already thrown...

David Mudd

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Sojitz – Non-Resource Pivot in Motion, Valuation Discount Persists

​Sojitz diversifies earnings away from coal and resources towards Chemicals, Energy Solutions, and Healthcare,. Trading at a discount to peers with...

Rahul Jain

Itochu (8001 JP) — Structural Growth, Fair Valuation, Solid TSR

​Article highlights strong earnings growth in non-resource sectors, steady valuation in line with peers, and significant capital returns through...

Rahul Jain

Mitsui & Co. (8031.T): Copper-LNG Torque Driving a Rerating

​Mitsui's copper earnings leverage and LNG stability drive underappreciated upside potential, supported by resilient cash flows and strong...

Rahul Jain

Marubeni Corporation (TSE: 8002) – Copper Torque, Platform Pivot, and Cash Returns

Marubeni is a top-five Japanese trading house, diversified across resources, food, leasing, power, and chemicals. Shares trade at ~11x P/E and 7–8%...

Rahul Jain

Trump Trades and the JAPAN Market Are Like Oil and Vinegar

We pointed out that Japan's semi industry may be at risk as part of the "Trump Trade" sentiment. It turns out that Biden has already thrown...

David Mudd

Sojitz diversifies earnings away from coal and resources towards Chemicals, Energy Solutions, and Healthcare,. Trading at a discount to peers with...

Article highlights strong earnings growth in non-resource sectors, steady valuation in line with peers, and significant capital returns through...

Mitsui's copper earnings leverage and LNG stability drive underappreciated upside potential, supported by resilient cash flows and strong...