'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/151/378/original/2020-08-08_12-56-11.png?1596858996" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="151378"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>30x</strong> - Following Friday's 'peak' in this quarter's results announcements, our prediction that the market multiple would exceed 30 times by months end, occurred in one week, and aggregate forecast operating and net profits are now ¥4.3 trillion and ¥4.6 trillion lower than at the end of last month. A large number of companies that previously had avoided making full-year forecasts three months ago are now doing so, hastening the decline. The last time the market aggregate multiple was above 30 times was just before "3/11" when net income and total market value were both half the current values. Other than the 2008/9 financial crisis, the market multiple rarely exceeded 25 times in the prior decade.  </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/151/387/original/2020-08-08_15-39-59.png?1596868850" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="151387"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>-40%</strong> - Forecast full-year revenues are 10% lower than a year ago, and forecast operating profits are 40% below the level of August 2019. Forecast operating margins, at 4.8%, are 300 basis points below the peak of September 2018. Net margins are to decline by 318 bps to 2.7% as net income forecasts are half those of a year ago.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/151/388/original/2020-08-08_15-45-35.png?1596869157" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="151388"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>SECTOR FORECASTS</strong> - Four Sectors are forecasting full-year losses - <strong>Energy</strong>, <strong>Metals</strong>, <strong>Restaurants</strong> and <strong>Consumer Services</strong>, although<strong> Metals</strong> appears to be bottoming out. Only the Healthcare Sector has seen any operating margin improvement; however, that modest change is now well discounted. <strong>Autos</strong>,<strong> Utilities</strong>, and<strong> Transportation</strong> have seen 100 bps year-on-year forecast operating margin declines, but are still expecting to be in the black. The<strong> Information Technology</strong> and<strong> Non-Bank Finance</strong> (mostly Insurance) Sectors are forecasting 'flat'.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>•BEST &amp; WORST 7th AUGUST •</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">The 'best' of Friday's large-cap announcements came from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mixi-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:602:1" rel="noopener">mixi (2121 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/t-d-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3431:1" rel="noopener">T&amp;D Holdings (8795 JP)</a>; the worst from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daiichikosho-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8629:1" rel="noopener">Daiichikosho (7458 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kyoritsu-maintenance-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19645:1" rel="noopener">Kyoritsu Maintenance (9616 JP)</a>.  More extensive coverage follows in the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/151/389/original/2020-08-08_16-30-24.png?1596871844" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="151389"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/151/390/original/2020-08-05_07-34-43.png?1596872118" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="151390"></figure><p></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/151/391/original/2020-08-08_16-37-27.png?1596872258" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="151391"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/151/392/original/2020-08-08_16-38-12.png?1596872310" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="151392"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><div><hr></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p></div><hr><div><p><strong>PERCENTAGES</strong> -<strong> 65%</strong> of quarterly results,<strong>  76</strong>% of annual forecasts/revisions and <strong>80</strong>% of interim forecasts have negative Scores and<strong> 28%</strong> of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.</p></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>663 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div><div><ul>
<li>
<strong>Results Score:</strong> 29% Positive / 6% Neutral / 65% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Results Score Change:</strong> -3.4 points</li>
<li>
<strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -10.4% Quarter YoY / -2.2% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>
<strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -1.3 ppt</li>
<li>
<strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 28%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>196 Annual • 123 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div><div><ul>
<li>
<strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 19% Positive / 5% Neutral / 76% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: </strong>19% Positive / 1% Neutral / 80% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -10.9 points</li>
</ul></div>

Source • Japan Analytics30x - Following Friday's 'peak' in this quarter's results announcements, our prediction that the market multiple would exceed 30 times by months end, occurred in one week, and aggregate forecast operating and net profits are now ¥4.3 trillion and ¥4.6 trillion lower than at the end of last month. A large number of companies that previously had avoided making full-year forecasts three months ago are now doing so, hastening the decline. The last time the market aggregate multiple was above 30 times was just before "3/11" when net income and total market value were both half the current values. Other than the 2008/9 financial crisis, the market multiple rarely exceeded 25 times in the prior decade.  Source • Japan Analytics-40% - Forecast full-year revenues are 10% lower than a year ago, and forecast operating profits are 40% below the level of August 2019. Forecast operating margins, at 4.8%, are 300 basis points below the peak of September 2018. Net margins are to decline by 318 bps to 2.7% as net income forecasts are half those of a year ago.Source • Japan AnalyticsSECTOR FORECASTS - Four Sectors are forecasting full-year losses - Energy, Metals, Restaurants and Consumer Services, although Metals appears to be bottoming out. Only the Healthcare Sector has seen any operating margin improvement; however, that modest change is now well discounted. Autos, Utilities, and Transportation have seen 100 bps year-on-year forecast operating margin declines, but are still expecting to be in the black. The Information Technology and Non-Bank Finance (mostly Insurance) Sectors are forecasting 'flat'.•BEST &amp; WORST 7th AUGUST •The 'best' of Friday's large-cap announcements came from mixi (2121 JP) and T&amp;D Holdings (8795 JP); the worst from Daiichikosho (7458 JP) and Kyoritsu Maintenance (9616 JP).  More extensive coverage follows in the DETAIL section below.Source • Japan AnalyticsDAILY STATSPERCENTAGES - 65% of quarterly results,  76% of annual forecasts/revisions and 80% of interim forecasts have negative Scores and 28% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.663 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 29% Positive / 6% Neutral / 65% Negative

Average Results Score Change: -3.4 points

Average % Change in Revenue: -10.4% Quarter YoY / -2.2% Rolling TTM YoY 

Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.3 ppt

Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 28%
196 Annual • 123 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 19% Positive / 5% Neutral / 76% Negative

Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 19% Positive / 1% Neutral / 80% Negative

Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -10.9 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 7th August - MS&AD, Mixi, SMC, Otsuka, Kyoritsu M, Hoshizaki, HDS

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wuxi-apptec" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23679:1" rel="noopener">Wuxi Biologics (Cayman) Inc (2269 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shandong-weigao-group-medical-polymer-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1465:1" rel="noopener">Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co (1066 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan Dianping (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/semiconductor-manufacturing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14231:1" rel="noopener">Semiconductor Manufacturing (981 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aia-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14895:1" rel="noopener">AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in Financials, Consumer Staples, and Materials, and were covered in Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology.</p></div><div><p>Japan saw an increase in shorts on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokio-marine-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7591:1" rel="noopener">Tokio Marine Holdings (8766 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamato-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2:1" rel="noopener">Yamato Holdings (9064 JP)</a> and a reduction in shorts on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-electric-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11171:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Electric (6503 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sumitomo-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5380:1" rel="noopener">Sumitomo Corp (8053 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sumitomo-mitsui-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:217:1" rel="noopener">Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316 JP)</a>. Sectorally, shorts increased on Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology, and Financials, and reduced on Consumer Staples and Industrials.</p></div><div>
<p>Short Interest in Korea decreased in almost all industry groups led by Media &amp; Entertainment, Pharmaceuticals, Technology Hardware and Materials.</p>
<p>Short Interest in Taiwan decreased in almost all industry groups led by Technology Hardware, Semiconductors, Capital Goods and Telecommunication Services while shorts increased in Banks and Automobiles.</p>
</div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Wuxi Biologics (Cayman) Inc (2269 HK), China Mobile (941 HK) and Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co (1066 HK) while there was short covering on Meituan Dianping (3690 HK), Semiconductor Manufacturing (981 HK), AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK) and Tencent Holdings (700 HK). Shorts increased in Financials, Consumer Staples, and Materials, and were covered in Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology.Japan saw an increase in shorts on Tokio Marine Holdings (8766 JP), Fast Retailing (9983 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP) and Yamato Holdings (9064 JP) and a reduction in shorts on Mitsubishi Electric (6503 JP), Shiseido Company (4911 JP), Sumitomo Corp (8053 JP) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316 JP). Sectorally, shorts increased on Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology, and Financials, and reduced on Consumer Staples and Industrials.
Short Interest in Korea decreased in almost all industry groups led by Media &amp; Entertainment, Pharmaceuticals, Technology Hardware and Materials.
Short Interest in Taiwan decreased in almost all industry groups led by Technology Hardware, Semiconductors, Capital Goods and Telecommunication Services while shorts increased in Banks and Automobiles.


Asia Short Interest Weekly - PingAn, WuXi Bio, Meituan, SMIC, Fast Retail, Sumitomo, Yageo, Genius

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks, Windamee Research

J. Brian Waterhouse

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks

Windamee Research

Japanese Banks

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>CY2020 has not been a good year for embattled <strong><em><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aozora-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6483:1" rel="noopener">Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP)</a></em></strong>.  FY3/2020 actual results were well short of guidance, with falling net interest and fee income, rising General Administrative Expenses (GAE) and an 11-fold increase in credit costs all contributing to the disappointing performance.  FY3/2021 management guidance bravely calls for a modest improvement over FY3/2020 actual results, which we think represents a very challenging target in the current operating environment.  To add fuel to the flames, management has slashed the forecast dividend from ¥155/share to ¥122/share, the effect of which has been to send the share price tumbling.  The stock price has fallen 38.7% in the last three months alone, and is by far the worst-performing of the major bank stocks to date.  There are ominous signs scattered throughout the balance-sheet and financial statements that FY3/2021 will be a challenging year for the bank, yet foreign investors still own in aggregate a significant proportion of Aozora Bank’s outstanding shares.</p>
<p><em>Caveat Emptor! </em> (May the Buyer Beware!)</p>

CY2020 has not been a good year for embattled Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP).  FY3/2020 actual results were well short of guidance, with falling net interest and fee income, rising General Administrative Expenses (GAE) and an 11-fold increase in credit costs all contributing to the disappointing performance.  FY3/2021 management guidance bravely calls for a modest improvement over FY3/2020 actual results, which we think represents a very challenging target in the current operating environment.  To add fuel to the flames, management has slashed the forecast dividend from ¥155/share to ¥122/share, the effect of which has been to send the share price tumbling.  The stock price has fallen 38.7% in the last three months alone, and is by far the worst-performing of the major bank stocks to date.  There are ominous signs scattered throughout the balance-sheet and financial statements that FY3/2021 will be a challenging year for the bank, yet foreign investors still own in aggregate a significant proportion of Aozora Bank’s outstanding shares.
Caveat Emptor!  (May the Buyer Beware!)

Aozora Bank  (8304 JP):  When Blue Skies Turn to Grey

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/134/507/original/2020-05-20_06-42-32.png?1589924596" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="134507"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>STRAGGLERS</strong> - As we wind down this series of Insights, the 'gap' between our proxies for earnings and Total Market Cap is now the largest in fifteen years, courtesy of central bank liquidity injections. Our lagging Results Score has yet to breach the 2016 'low', a creditable outcome but will do so by August. We still await annual results for 'stragglers' <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/recruit-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15070:1" rel="noopener">Recruit (6098 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokio-marine-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7591:1" rel="noopener">Tokio Marine (8766 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissan-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:72:1" rel="noopener">Nissan Motor (7201 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7797:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi (6501 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujifilm-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16353:1" rel="noopener">Fujifilm (4901 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba (6502 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hikari-tsushin-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4909:1" rel="noopener">Hikari Tsushin (9435 JP)</a>. </p><div><p>in the <strong>DETAIL</strong> below, we shall review Monday's updates:-</p></div><div><ul>
<li>The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the 51 results announcements was 21:3:27. The average change in Results Score was -1.1.</li>
<li>For the 24 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 8:1:15, and the average Forecast/Revision Score was -5.4. Again less than 50% of companies reporting full-year results chose to make current year forecasts.</li>
</ul></div>

Source • Japan AnalyticsSTRAGGLERS - As we wind down this series of Insights, the 'gap' between our proxies for earnings and Total Market Cap is now the largest in fifteen years, courtesy of central bank liquidity injections. Our lagging Results Score has yet to breach the 2016 'low', a creditable outcome but will do so by August. We still await annual results for 'stragglers' Recruit (6098 JP), Tokio Marine (8766 JP), Nissan Motor (7201 JP), Hitachi (6501 JP), Fujifilm (4901 JP), Toshiba (6502 JP), and Hikari Tsushin (9435 JP). in the DETAIL below, we shall review Monday's updates:-
The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the 51 results announcements was 21:3:27. The average change in Results Score was -1.1.
For the 24 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 8:1:15, and the average Forecast/Revision Score was -5.4. Again less than 50% of companies reporting full-year results chose to make current year forecasts.


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 19th May - SEI, Kotobuki Spirits, Autobacs Seven

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

<p><strong><em>*Weak Great Eastern Returns: </em></strong>Great Eastern (GE.SP) reported 1Q20 earnings of SGD 33.9 mn, declining 88% linked quarter from the SGD 287 mn posted in 4Q19. Earnings were materially weaker than what consensus had built in for Overseas Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) – and pose a 14% consensus miss for OCBC. Higher volatility in reported Great Eastern earnings decreases confidence in forecasts. This level of earnings decline at Great Eastern also limit the OCBC’s ability to take provisions; and</p><p><strong><em>* Terrible Readacross to Regional Insurers: </em></strong>MTM losses would imply a negative readacross to AIA (1299.HK), Prudential (PRU.LN), ManuLife (MFC.CN), and of course the mainland Chinese insurers (who are somehow exempt from negative MTM on very toxic securities portfolios).</p>

*Weak Great Eastern Returns: Great Eastern (GE.SP) reported 1Q20 earnings of SGD 33.9 mn, declining 88% linked quarter from the SGD 287 mn posted in 4Q19. Earnings were materially weaker than what consensus had built in for Overseas Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) – and pose a 14% consensus miss for OCBC. Higher volatility in reported Great Eastern earnings decreases confidence in forecasts. This level of earnings decline at Great Eastern also limit the OCBC’s ability to take provisions; and* Terrible Readacross to Regional Insurers: MTM losses would imply a negative readacross to AIA (1299.HK), Prudential (PRU.LN), ManuLife (MFC.CN), and of course the mainland Chinese insurers (who are somehow exempt from negative MTM on very toxic securities portfolios).

OCBC – Nothing Great About Great Eastern

Japan

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc., through subsidiaries, offers property, casualty and life insurance, and asset management services.

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Tokio Marine Holdings (8766 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 7th August - MS&AD, Mixi, SMC, Otsuka, Kyoritsu M, Hoshizaki, HDS

30x - Following Friday's 'peak' in this quarter's results announcements, our prediction that the market multiple would exceed 30 times by months...

Campbell Gunn

Asia Short Interest Weekly - PingAn, WuXi Bio, Meituan, SMIC, Fast Retail, Sumitomo, Yageo, Genius

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong...

Brian Freitas

Aozora Bank (8304 JP): When Blue Skies Turn to Grey

CY2020 has not been a good year for embattled Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP). FY3/2020 actual results were well short of guidance, with falling net...

J. Brian Waterhouse

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 19th May - SEI, Kotobuki Spirits, Autobacs Seven

STRAGGLERS - As we wind down this series of Insights, the 'gap' between our proxies for earnings and Total Market Cap is now the largest in fifteen...

Campbell Gunn

OCBC – Nothing Great About Great Eastern

*Weak Great Eastern Returns: Great Eastern (GE.SP) reported 1Q20 earnings of SGD 33.9 mn, declining 88% linked quarter from the SGD 287 mn posted...

Thomas J. Monaco

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