'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

Former Japan Equity PM with over 30 of experience now providing database-driven analysis of the market, sectors, peer groups and stocks for LightStream Research.

Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, and the related Japan Analytics iPad App, we provide insights on companies are often ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on the market overall.

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

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ja research

ja research is an independent research platform focused exclusively on Japanese equities. Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, we provide insights on small and medium-sized companies that have been ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on larger companies. We also offer analyst and corporate access, the latter with translation if required. 

Quantitative Analysis

<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/089/325/original/2019-06-01_09-16-25.png?1559348196" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="89325"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/089/326/original/2019-06-01_09-19-21.png?1559348371" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="89326"></figure><p>Source: Japan Analytics</p>
</div><p><strong>INAUSPICIOUS</strong> - Since the beginning of the Reiwa era (令和時代), Japanese equities have fallen by 6.1% and have seen only six 'up' days out of the nineteen trading days so far. The strength of the Yen has cut that decline to -3.2% for the minority of foreign investors that are unhedged. The Bank of Japan has purchased ETFs on ten days in the new era including on each of the last three trading sessions - the largest such intervention this calendar year.  Having reached a new five-month low, a decisive low above that of December 25th is required. The market took only two trading days to descend from the current level to that 2018 low, and a fall of 6.7% from Friday's close would breach that level. For the time being, it pays to be net short.  </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/089/329/original/2019-06-01_10-10-41.png?1559351453" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="89329"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>CURRENCY RISK?</strong> - Much has been made of recent ¥3 move in the US$/JP¥ cross rate in May. The one-year rate of change has been the key driver of the Japanese earnings cycle and, in turn, the market. A rate of ¥108 held through the summer would equate with a breach of the December low and a rate of ¥90 by year-end would be consistent with the low of February 2016 - a 14% decline from the current index level.  </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/089/330/original/2019-06-01_10-14-50.png?1559351702" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="89330"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>RSI</strong> - The five-day Relative Strength Index could well be in single digits on Monday, which would be the second-most oversold level this year. A short-term recovery can be expected later in the week. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/089/331/original/2019-06-01_10-28-00.png?1559352497" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="89331"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>TORAKU</strong> - The<em> Toraku</em> advance-decline is also back in Oversold territory, but well above the December 2018 low, suggesting further downside to a new cycle low.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/089/333/original/2019-06-01_10-38-19.png?1559353116" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="89333"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>HIGHS - LOWS</strong> - The 'spread' between New Highs and New Lows is negative, but has yet to reach the most recent peak of 14th May of -549 and is well above the December 2018 low of -2,741. A spread of at least -1,000 is needed to confirm a new cycle low.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/089/332/original/2019-06-01_10-32-11.png?1559352742" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="89332"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>VOLUME SCORE TIMELINE</strong> - Volumes remains concentrated in the <strong>Internet</strong>, <strong>Information Technology</strong>, <strong>REITs</strong>, <strong>Electrical Equipment</strong>, and <strong>Energy</strong> Sectors, the <strong>Materials</strong>,  <strong>Restaurants</strong>, and <strong>Multi-Industry</strong> Sectors are the volume laggards.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we will review Sector performance, scores and valuation, Company Results &amp; Revisions and stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kikkoman-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11720:1">Kikkoman (2801 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/inpex-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20665:1">Inpex (1605 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keyence-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3077:1">Keyence (6861 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/leopalace21-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8244:1">Leopalace21 (8848 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dentsu-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12434:1">Dentsu (4324 JP)</a>.     </p></div>


Source: Japan Analytics
INAUSPICIOUS - Since the beginning of the Reiwa era (令和時代), Japanese equities have fallen by 6.1% and have seen only six 'up' days out of the nineteen trading days so far. The strength of the Yen has cut that decline to -3.2% for the minority of foreign investors that are unhedged. The Bank of Japan has purchased ETFs on ten days in the new era including on each of the last three trading sessions - the largest such intervention this calendar year.  Having reached a new five-month low, a decisive low above that of December 25th is required. The market took only two trading days to descend from the current level to that 2018 low, and a fall of 6.7% from Friday's close would breach that level. For the time being, it pays to be net short.  Source: Japan AnalyticsCURRENCY RISK? - Much has been made of recent ¥3 move in the US$/JP¥ cross rate in May. The one-year rate of change has been the key driver of the Japanese earnings cycle and, in turn, the market. A rate of ¥108 held through the summer would equate with a breach of the December low and a rate of ¥90 by year-end would be consistent with the low of February 2016 - a 14% decline from the current index level.  Source: Japan AnalyticsRSI - The five-day Relative Strength Index could well be in single digits on Monday, which would be the second-most oversold level this year. A short-term recovery can be expected later in the week. Source: Japan AnalyticsTORAKU - The Toraku advance-decline is also back in Oversold territory, but well above the December 2018 low, suggesting further downside to a new cycle low.Source: Japan AnalyticsHIGHS - LOWS - The 'spread' between New Highs and New Lows is negative, but has yet to reach the most recent peak of 14th May of -549 and is well above the December 2018 low of -2,741. A spread of at least -1,000 is needed to confirm a new cycle low.Source: Japan AnalyticsVOLUME SCORE TIMELINE - Volumes remains concentrated in the Internet, Information Technology, REITs, Electrical Equipment, and Energy Sectors, the Materials,  Restaurants, and Multi-Industry Sectors are the volume laggards.In the DETAIL section below, we will review Sector performance, scores and valuation, Company Results &amp; Revisions and stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on Kikkoman (2801 JP), Inpex (1605 JP), Keyence (6861 JP), Leopalace21 (8848 JP), and Dentsu (4324 JP).     

NTT (Nippon Telegraph & Telephone) (9432 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market Update - Retesting the Low