'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)

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST • </strong></p><p>Tuesday's best and worst pair is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/askul-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16807:1" rel="noopener">Askul (2678 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/coca-cola-bottlers-japan" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20051:1" rel="noopener">Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan (2579 JP)</a>.  </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/178/802/original/2020-12-16_06-23-51.png?1608067445" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="178802"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/178/803/original/2020-12-16_06-24-41.png?1608067495" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="178803"></figure></section><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics    </div><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsuruha-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9536:1" rel="noopener">Tsuruha (3391 JP)</a></strong>- Drugstore Tsuruha also reported interim results and revised up modestly. Although the results are commendable and the shares are close to a new post-listing, Tsuruha shares have been a relative underperformer since May. We do not expect that to change in their second half.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/178/804/original/2020-12-16_06-27-31.png?1608067665" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="178804"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/178/805/original/2020-12-16_06-27-59.png?1608067693" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="178805"></figure></section>

• BEST &amp; WORST • Tuesday's best and worst pair is Askul (2678 JP) and Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan (2579 JP).  Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics    Tsuruha (3391 JP)- Drugstore Tsuruha also reported interim results and revised up modestly. Although the results are commendable and the shares are close to a new post-listing, Tsuruha shares have been a relative underperformer since May. We do not expect that to change in their second half.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 12/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​15 Askul, Coca-Cola B,Tsuruha

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/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yihai-int-l-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22803:1" rel="noopener">Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haier-electronics-group-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4877:1" rel="noopener">Haier Electronics Group Co (1169 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <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>, <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/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in Industrials, Consumer Discretionary and Real Estate stocks and decreased in Financial names.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/square-enix-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15003:1" rel="noopener">Square Enix Holdings (9684 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anritsu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3700:1" rel="noopener">Anritsu Corp (6754 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/casio-computer-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18338:1" rel="noopener">Casio Computer (6952 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsuruha-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9536:1" rel="noopener">Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/m3-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13316:1" rel="noopener">M3 Inc (2413 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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ana-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5308:1" rel="noopener">Ana Holdings (9202 JP)</a>. Sectorally, shorts increased on Communication Services, Health Care and Information Technology, while shorts were covered on Consumer Discretionary and Financials.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, the biggest increase in shorts was on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netmarble-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22839:1" rel="noopener">Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS)</a>, while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-innovation-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1268:1" rel="noopener">SK Innovation (096770 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a>. News <a href="https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=54911" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a> have indicated that the FSC will lift the temporary short sell ban on 15 March 2021 and will apply to all stocks irrespective of market cap. Earlier reports had indicated that the short sell ban would stay in place for small cap stocks.</p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/au-optronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6704:1" rel="noopener">Au Optronics (2409 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/innolux-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4509:1" rel="noopener">Innolux Corp (3481 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/acer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15726:1" rel="noopener">Acer Inc (2353 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>  while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/walsin-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11084:1" rel="noopener">Walsin Technology (2492 TT)</a>.</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 Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK), Haier Electronics Group Co (1169 HK) and HKEX (388 HK) while there was short covering on Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Meituan (3690 HK) and NetEase (9999 HK). Shorts increased in Industrials, Consumer Discretionary and Real Estate stocks and decreased in Financial names.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Square Enix Holdings (9684 JP), Anritsu Corp (6754 JP), Casio Computer (6952 JP) and Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP) while shorts decreased on M3 Inc (2413 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP), Rakuten Inc (4755 JP) and Ana Holdings (9202 JP). Sectorally, shorts increased on Communication Services, Health Care and Information Technology, while shorts were covered on Consumer Discretionary and Financials.In Korea, the biggest increase in shorts was on Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS), while shorts were covered on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), SK Innovation (096770 KS), Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS) and Celltrion Inc (068270 KS). News reports have indicated that the FSC will lift the temporary short sell ban on 15 March 2021 and will apply to all stocks irrespective of market cap. Earlier reports had indicated that the short sell ban would stay in place for small cap stocks.Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Au Optronics (2409 TT), Innolux Corp (3481 TT), Acer Inc (2353 TT) and TSMC (2330 TT)  while shorts were covered on Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT), Yageo Corporation (2327 TT), Largan Precision (3008 TT) and Walsin Technology (2492 TT).

Asia Short Interest Weekly: Shorts Continue to Rise in HK, Japan & Taiwan; Korea Ban to Be Lifted

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

<p>At least until the Covid-19 crisis hit Japan in January, the majority of retailers were gearing up to announce yet another really good year of financial results for FY2019-20.</p>
<p>Even with the crisis, results were generally better than for FY2018 – although there are big variations by sector.</p>
<p>Those differences are more or less what we’ve come to expect, with traditional formats like department stores continuing to struggle, while those formats that have adopted modern management are doing well.</p>
<p>The following is an in-depth review of Japan's retail sector, providing:</p>
<ul>
<li>An overview of consumer demand and retail performance</li>
<li>Format by format reviews showing growth and profit performance across all the main formats: convenience stores, supermarkets, GMS, consumer electronics, drugstores, homecentres, department stores, apparel, home and other specialty  formats.</li>
<li>Rankings:
<ul>
<li>Market share and size by sector/format</li>
<li>By sales for all retailers with sales over ¥250 billion</li>
<li>By gross and operating margins, split by format and category.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>As this is an in-depth insight, the review is split into two parts to make it easier to read.  This is Part II which provides snapshot reviews of each format/sector. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/the-japan-retail-review-winners-and-losers-in-japanese-retailing-part-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part I, which provides a quick overview of all retailing, can be read here</a>.</p>

At least until the Covid-19 crisis hit Japan in January, the majority of retailers were gearing up to announce yet another really good year of financial results for FY2019-20.
Even with the crisis, results were generally better than for FY2018 – although there are big variations by sector.
Those differences are more or less what we’ve come to expect, with traditional formats like department stores continuing to struggle, while those formats that have adopted modern management are doing well.
The following is an in-depth review of Japan's retail sector, providing:

An overview of consumer demand and retail performance
Format by format reviews showing growth and profit performance across all the main formats: convenience stores, supermarkets, GMS, consumer electronics, drugstores, homecentres, department stores, apparel, home and other specialty  formats.
Rankings:

Market share and size by sector/format
By sales for all retailers with sales over ¥250 billion
By gross and operating margins, split by format and category.



As this is an in-depth insight, the review is split into two parts to make it easier to read.  This is Part II which provides snapshot reviews of each format/sector. Part I, which provides a quick overview of all retailing, can be read here.

Japan Retail Review 2019-20 Part II: A Sector by Sector Review of Winners and Losers

<div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/159/736/original/2020-09-18_06-09-24.png?1600376978" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="159736"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/159/737/original/2020-09-18_06-10-21.png?1600377043" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="159737"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>
<p>Our 'best' and 'worst' pairing from Thursday's announcements is home centre Alleanza (3546 JP) (formerly Daiyu-LIC) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ryobi-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7600:1" rel="noopener">Ryobi (5851 JP)</a>.  </p>
</div><div class="content-highlight"><p><strong>DAILY STATS - Only one company of the eleven announcements made yesterday has a negative score. All save the lone negative scorer, Ryobi, have a domestic focus.</strong></p></div>


• BEST &amp; WORST •
Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics
Our 'best' and 'worst' pairing from Thursday's announcements is home centre Alleanza (3546 JP) (formerly Daiyu-LIC) and Ryobi (5851 JP).  
DAILY STATS - Only one company of the eleven announcements made yesterday has a negative score. All save the lone negative scorer, Ryobi, have a domestic focus.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/​​​​​​​​​17 - Kusuri No Aoki, Alleanza, and Poor Old Ryobi

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">Our 'best' and 'worst' pairing from Monday's announcements is 'social e-commerce' business <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enigmo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7036:1" rel="noopener">Enigmo (3665 JP)</a> and tech and auto materials company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jsr-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17620:1" rel="noopener">JSR (4185 JP)</a> which has seen a 35-40% slump in auto-related demand. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/159/000/original/2020-09-15_05-00-30.png?1600113643" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="159000"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/159/001/original/2020-09-15_05-08-17.png?1600114115" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="159001"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p><hr><p><strong>IMPROVING</strong> -37% of quarterly results, 61% of annual forecasts/revisions and 40% of interim forecasts have negative Scores. Only 10% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter. Most of the Results metrics were positive for the first time in many months; revisions are still trending negatively.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>41 Quarterly Results</strong></p><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<strong>Results Score:</strong> 44% Positive / 20% Neutral / 37% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Results Score Change: </strong>+0.9 points</li>
<li>
<strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> +5.8% Quarter YoY / +5.6% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>
<strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> 1.5ppt</li>
<li>
<strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 10%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div><p>23 Annual • 10 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 22% Positive / 17% Neutral / 61% Negative</li>
<li>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 50% Positive / 10% Neutral / 40% Negative</li>
<li>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -3.5 points</li>
</ul></div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •Our 'best' and 'worst' pairing from Monday's announcements is 'social e-commerce' business Enigmo (3665 JP) and tech and auto materials company JSR (4185 JP) which has seen a 35-40% slump in auto-related demand. Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsDAILY STATSIMPROVING -37% of quarterly results, 61% of annual forecasts/revisions and 40% of interim forecasts have negative Scores. Only 10% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter. Most of the Results metrics were positive for the first time in many months; revisions are still trending negatively.41 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 44% Positive / 20% Neutral / 37% Negative

Average Results Score Change: +0.9 points

Average % Change in Revenue: +5.8% Quarter YoY / +5.6% Rolling TTM YoY 

Average Operating Profit Margin Change: 1.5ppt

Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 10%
23 Annual • 10 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 22% Positive / 17% Neutral / 61% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 50% Positive / 10% Neutral / 40% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -3.5 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/​​​​​​14 - Tsuruha, Kura Sushi, Arcland Sakamoto, JSR

Japan

TSURUHA HOLDINGS INC. is a holding company which manages subsidiaries that operate drug stores in Hokkaido and the Tohoku area.  The Company's product line includes drugs, cosmetics, and household utensils.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 12/15 Askul, Coca-Cola B,Tsuruha

• BEST & WORST • Tuesday's best and worst pair is Askul (2678 JP) and Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan (2579 JP)....................

Campbell Gunn

Asia Short Interest Weekly: Shorts Continue to Rise in HK, Japan & Taiwan; Korea Ban to Be Lifted

Short interest continued to increase in HK, Japan and Taiwan, while the FSC has announced that the short sell ban in Korea will be lifted on 15...

Brian Freitas

Japan Retail Review 2019-20 Part II: A Sector by Sector Review of Winners and Losers

At least until the Covid-19 crisis hit Japan in January, the majority of retailers were gearing up to announce yet another really good year of...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/17 - Kusuri No Aoki, Alleanza, and Poor Old Ryobi

• BEST & WORST • Our 'best' and 'worst' pairing from Wednesday's announcements is E-commerce office supplies company Askul (2678...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/14 - Tsuruha, Kura Sushi, Arcland Sakamoto, JSR

• BEST & WORST • DAILY STATS PERCENTAGES -50% of quarterly results, 66% of annual forecasts/revisions and 69% of interim forecasts...

Campbell Gunn

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 12/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​15 Askul, Coca-Cola B,Tsuruha

• BEST & WORST • Tuesday's best and worst pair is Askul (2678 JP) and Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan (2579 JP)....................

Campbell Gunn

Asia Short Interest Weekly: Shorts Continue to Rise in HK, Japan & Taiwan; Korea Ban to Be Lifted

Short interest continued to increase in HK, Japan and Taiwan, while the FSC has announced that the short sell ban in Korea will be lifted on 15...

Brian Freitas

Japan Retail Review 2019-20 Part II: A Sector by Sector Review of Winners and Losers

At least until the Covid-19 crisis hit Japan in January, the majority of retailers were gearing up to announce yet another really good year of...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/​​​​​​​​​17 - Kusuri No Aoki, Alleanza, and Poor Old Ryobi

• BEST & WORST • Our 'best' and 'worst' pairing from Wednesday's announcements is E-commerce office supplies company Askul (2678...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/​​​​​​14 - Tsuruha, Kura Sushi, Arcland Sakamoto, JSR

• BEST & WORST • DAILY STATS PERCENTAGES -50% of quarterly results, 66% of annual forecasts/revisions and 69% of interim forecasts...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 12/15 Askul, Coca-Cola B,Tsuruha

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/17 - Kusuri No Aoki, Alleanza, and Poor Old Ryobi

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/14 - Tsuruha, Kura Sushi, Arcland Sakamoto, JSR