Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Last year with earnings, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ushio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6640:1" rel="noopener">Ushio Inc (6925 JP)</a> announced a HUUUGE buyback discussed in  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/huuuge-ushio-6925-buyback" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:102028" rel="noopener">HUUUGE Ushio (6925) Buyback</a>. The headline was 17% of shares out. They ended up buying 13.2%. </li>
<li>Last year the stock popped on the news. Then shares went sideways for months. Then they went up on stable (bad) <em>earnings</em> guidance in H2. Today they beat Q3-updated guidance.</li>
<li>But today they announced a "<a href="https://www.ushio.co.jp/documents/ir/library/plan/ushio_plan2024_e.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new growth strategy</a>" to 2030, and guided to a SHARP (-60%) drop in OP and NP to March 2025, and announced a HUUUGE Buyback. Again.</li>
</ul>


Last year with earnings, Ushio Inc (6925 JP) announced a HUUUGE buyback discussed in  HUUUGE Ushio (6925) Buyback. The headline was 17% of shares out. They ended up buying 13.2%. 
Last year the stock popped on the news. Then shares went sideways for months. Then they went up on stable (bad) earnings guidance in H2. Today they beat Q3-updated guidance.
But today they announced a "new growth strategy" to 2030, and guided to a SHARP (-60%) drop in OP and NP to March 2025, and announced a HUUUGE Buyback. Again.


Another HUGE Ushio (6925) Buyback After A HUGE Buyback Last Year

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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Ushio has tied up with Applied Materials (AMAT) to develop lithography systems for package substrates using AMAT's Digital Lithography Technology.</li>
<li>This should keep the focus on Ushio's more advanced technologies (which also include EUV mask inspection light sources) and its potential to rebound with the semiconductor cycle.</li>
<li>The shares have dropped back 10% since mid-December, providing an entry point. 3Q results are scheduled to be announced on February 9.</li>
</ul>


Ushio has tied up with Applied Materials (AMAT) to develop lithography systems for package substrates using AMAT's Digital Lithography Technology.
This should keep the focus on Ushio's more advanced technologies (which also include EUV mask inspection light sources) and its potential to rebound with the semiconductor cycle.
The shares have dropped back 10% since mid-December, providing an entry point. 3Q results are scheduled to be announced on February 9.


Ushio (6925 JP): Tie-Up with Applied Materials Adds to Long-Term Potential

<ul>
<li>Ushio is making substantial investments in it core light source technologies, sacrificing short term profit for long-term growth potential.</li>
<li>Geared to rising demand for EUV mask and IC package lithography, bio-medical equipment, and solid-state light sources. Digital cinema business rebounding from COVID.</li>
<li>Selling at 21x current EPS guidance, 12x management's FY Mar-26 EPS target and 0.9x book value. Upside potential to book value while waiting for confirmation of forecast recovery.</li>
</ul>


Ushio is making substantial investments in it core light source technologies, sacrificing short term profit for long-term growth potential.
Geared to rising demand for EUV mask and IC package lithography, bio-medical equipment, and solid-state light sources. Digital cinema business rebounding from COVID.
Selling at 21x current EPS guidance, 12x management's FY Mar-26 EPS target and 0.9x book value. Upside potential to book value while waiting for confirmation of forecast recovery.


Ushio (6925 JP): Preparing for the Next Growth Cycle

<ul>
<li>This past week, nearly 150 companies in Japan announced buyback programmes totalling ¥2.1trln. 3 Tenders, 26 ToSTNeT-3 buybacks (including at least 5 delayed starts). </li>
<li>The median on-market buyback was 2.40% of shares, the average 2.9% (both measured as practical maxima at announcement. Median/Average % of ADV was 7.6/9.2%. </li>
<li>My prediction that this will be a record year for stock buybacks still stands.</li>
</ul>


This past week, nearly 150 companies in Japan announced buyback programmes totalling ¥2.1trln. 3 Tenders, 26 ToSTNeT-3 buybacks (including at least 5 delayed starts). 
The median on-market buyback was 2.40% of shares, the average 2.9% (both measured as practical maxima at announcement. Median/Average % of ADV was 7.6/9.2%. 
My prediction that this will be a record year for stock buybacks still stands.


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ushio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6640:1" rel="noopener">Ushio Inc (6925 JP)</a> reported earnings on 11 May, with revenue +17.6% on the year, OP +21.4%, and NP +8.7% on the year. Div was unchanged at ¥50/share.</li>
<li>Forecasts are for revenue +7.4%, OP -21.2%, and NP -27% (¥90.6/EPS). But importantly, the company also announced a HUUUUUGE Buyback. </li>
<li>Buying ≦20mm shares (17.0%) spending ≦¥30bn from 29May2023 to 10May2024. That's 13.3% at the 12 May close. How this will work is unknown. There's less detail than one would want.</li>
</ul>



Ushio Inc (6925 JP) reported earnings on 11 May, with revenue +17.6% on the year, OP +21.4%, and NP +8.7% on the year. Div was unchanged at ¥50/share.
Forecasts are for revenue +7.4%, OP -21.2%, and NP -27% (¥90.6/EPS). But importantly, the company also announced a HUUUUUGE Buyback. 
Buying ≦20mm shares (17.0%) spending ≦¥30bn from 29May2023 to 10May2024. That's 13.3% at the 12 May close. How this will work is unknown. There's less detail than one would want.


Japan

USHIO INC. manufactures lamps and optical equipment including projectors for movie theaters.  The Company produces halogen and Houdentou lamps for semiconductor and office automation equipment.  Ushio has subsidiaries in the US, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

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Ushio Inc (6925 JP)

Another HUGE Ushio (6925) Buyback After A HUGE Buyback Last Year

Last May Ushio guided down earnings but announced a huge buyback. The stock popped on Day1 then went sideways. This year, they guided down earnings...

Travis Lundy

Ushio (6925 JP): Tie-Up with Applied Materials Adds to Long-Term Potential

Tie up with AMAT in advanced IC package substrate lithography increases gearing to next semiconductor up-cycle. Shares down 10% from December high,...

Scott Foster

Ushio (6925 JP): Preparing for the Next Growth Cycle

Profits down sharply due to bottoming semiconductor cycle and investment in EUV and IC package lithography and other long-term opportunities. Huge...

Scott Foster

JAPAN BUYBACKS: A Very Big Week

Almost ¥2.2trln of buybacks were announced this past week. Several large ones but 120+ different companies in total. This is the push higher for a...

Travis Lundy

HUUUGE Ushio (6925) Buyback

Ushio (6925 JP) has announced an enormous buyback program. The stock has popped as a result. It may drift bank. How the buyback works is unknown....

Travis Lundy

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