'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)

• RESULTS - 15th APRIL •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/900/original/image_79635701821618518159643.png?1618518161" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200900"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>• FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 15th APRIL •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/901/original/image_41828619831618518259175.png?1618518259" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200901"></figure>REVISIONS/FORECASTS - All 18 forecasts/revisions scored positively, with small-cap semiconductor material specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/furuya-metal-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5196:1" rel="noopener">Furuya Metal (7826 JP)</a> leading the pack. Our focus will be on large caps <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daiwa-house-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:237:1" rel="noopener">Daiwa House (1925 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nihon-kohden-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7668:1" rel="noopener">Nihon Kohden (6849 JP)</a>. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/904/original/image_98823158241618520568301.png?1618520570" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200904"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/905/original/image_36126897251618520600152.png?1618520601" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200905"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/906/original/image_17001945261618520623051.png?1618520623" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200906"></figure>

• RESULTS - 15th APRIL •Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics• FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 15th APRIL •REVISIONS/FORECASTS - All 18 forecasts/revisions scored positively, with small-cap semiconductor material specialist Furuya Metal (7826 JP) leading the pack. Our focus will be on large caps Daiwa House (1925 JP) and Nihon Kohden (6849 JP). 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 04/​​​​​​​​15 - Daiwa House & Nihon Kohden

• LARGE CAP RESULTS - 14th APRIL •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/635/original/image_32488738921618434736177.png?1618434737" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200635"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>RESULTS - The percentage of positive Results Scores continues to fall, with only 39% of the 116 results reported on Wednesday. There were only three positives among large caps, including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ryohin-keikaku-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2765:1" rel="noopener">Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)</a>, which has changed its year-end limiting comparability. There was no revision to the company's now six-month-old forecasts. Shoe retailer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/abc-mart-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3213:1" rel="noopener">ABC Mart (2670 JP)</a> fared less well but is optimistic about FY22.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/644/original/image_16911018231618435000838.png?1618435002" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200644"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/646/original/image_24286058841618435028922.png?1618435030" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200646"></figure>• LARGE CAP FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 14th APRIL •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/649/original/image_3948594651618435133716.png?1618435135" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200649"></figure>REVISIONS/FORECASTS - Bullishness abounds for FY22, particularly amongst the many Restaurant Sector companies, of which coffee house <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/doutor-nichires-holdings-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3096:1" rel="noopener">Doutor Nichires (3087 JP) </a>would be our value pick. Erstwhile E-Commerce darling <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kitanotatsujin-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6126:1" rel="noopener">Kitanotatsujin (2930 JP)</a> was the only negatively-scoring large-cap, foreseeing yet more margin erosion. The shares remain overvalued at 36 EV/TTM OP.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/652/original/image_67668075561618435352425.png?1618435353" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200652"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/655/original/image_87740698871618435386254.png?1618435387" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200655"></figure>

• LARGE CAP RESULTS - 14th APRIL •Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsRESULTS - The percentage of positive Results Scores continues to fall, with only 39% of the 116 results reported on Wednesday. There were only three positives among large caps, including Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP), which has changed its year-end limiting comparability. There was no revision to the company's now six-month-old forecasts. Shoe retailer ABC Mart (2670 JP) fared less well but is optimistic about FY22.• LARGE CAP FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 14th APRIL •REVISIONS/FORECASTS - Bullishness abounds for FY22, particularly amongst the many Restaurant Sector companies, of which coffee house Doutor Nichires (3087 JP) would be our value pick. Erstwhile E-Commerce darling Kitanotatsujin (2930 JP) was the only negatively-scoring large-cap, foreseeing yet more margin erosion. The shares remain overvalued at 36 EV/TTM OP.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 04/​​​​​​​14 - Finding Value in ABC-MART & Doutor Nichires

• LARGE CAP RESULTS - 13th APRIL •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/386/original/image_36527959121618346539491.png?1618346540" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200386"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>RESULTS - Only 38% of Tuesdays 69 results announcements scored positively. Of the largest-cap stocks reporting, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toho-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7806:1" rel="noopener">Toho (9602 JP)</a> cinemas has yet to bottom out but is still in profit. 'New wave' software companies <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sansan-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28112:1" rel="noopener">Sansan (4443 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/money-forward-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25919:1" rel="noopener">Money Forward (3994 JP)</a> are growing into their extreme valuations, while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pasona-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15778:1" rel="noopener">Pasona's</a> under-appreciated margin transformation continues. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/403/original/image_63727914331618348873715.png?1618348877" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200403"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/404/original/image_12260447541618348911606.png?1618348912" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200404"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/405/original/image_35233699051618348944141.png?1618348944" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200405"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/406/original/image_14670185761618348969100.png?1618348969" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200406"></figure>• LARGE CAP FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 13th APRIL •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/407/original/image_58511005871618349036093.png?1618349036" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200407"></figure>FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Two-thirds of annual forecasts/revisions were positive, with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toho-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7806:1" rel="noopener">Toho (9602 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/j-front-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8947:1" rel="noopener">J Front Retailing (3086 JP)</a> the leading largest-cap optimists. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/santen-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8602:1" rel="noopener">Santen Pharmaceutical (4536 JP)</a> revised down following a delay in the approval of glaucoma implant DE-128.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/408/original/image_63605452481618349380112.png?1618349381" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200408"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/200/409/original/image_46822562891618349413296.png?1618349413" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="200409"></figure>

• LARGE CAP RESULTS - 13th APRIL •Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsRESULTS - Only 38% of Tuesdays 69 results announcements scored positively. Of the largest-cap stocks reporting, Toho (9602 JP) cinemas has yet to bottom out but is still in profit. 'New wave' software companies Sansan (4443 JP) and Money Forward (3994 JP) are growing into their extreme valuations, while Pasona's under-appreciated margin transformation continues. • LARGE CAP FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 13th APRIL •FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Two-thirds of annual forecasts/revisions were positive, with Toho (9602 JP) and J Front Retailing (3086 JP) the leading largest-cap optimists. Santen Pharmaceutical (4536 JP) revised down following a delay in the approval of glaucoma implant DE-128.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 04/​​​​​​13 - Pasona (Grata) & J Front Retailing

• LARGE CAP RESULTS - 9th APRIL •<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/934/original/2021-04-11_07-45-16.png?1618170004" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199934"></figure></section>RESULTS - Again, less than half of the 60 results announcements from Friday scored positively. Of the largest-cap stocks reporting, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon (8267 JP)</a> is still mired in net losses and is underperforming most of its listed subsidiaries. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yaskawa-electric-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2458:1" rel="noopener">Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP)</a> saw its first quarterly year-on-year sales gain since Y19-Q1 and is forecasting (see below) a return to near-double-digit operating margins this year. For more, see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/mio-kato" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:713" rel="noopener">Mio's </a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/yaskawa-is-sigma-x-going-to-drive-large-margin-gains" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50190" rel="noopener">Yaskawa – Is Sigma-X Going to Drive Large Margin Gains?</a>.  Amongst mid-cap construction machinery companies, the divergence between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeuchi-mfg-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15344:1" rel="noopener">Takeuchi Mfg (6432 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/giken-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8955:1" rel="noopener">Giken (6289 JP)</a> is notable.     <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/937/original/image_41476225521618176041754.png?1618176043" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199937"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/938/original/image_43430948031618176155426.png?1618176156" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199938"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/939/original/image_15842165641618176543024.png?1618176544" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199939"></figure>• LARGE CAP FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 9th APRIL •<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/936/original/2021-04-11_07-45-32.png?1618170242" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199936"></figure></section>FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Just 65% of the annual revisions announced were positive, with Yasukawa the leading large-cap. In contrast to its results, Aeon is expecting to beat its listed grocery chain subsidiaries - all of whom are forecasting declines in profits.

• LARGE CAP RESULTS - 9th APRIL •RESULTS - Again, less than half of the 60 results announcements from Friday scored positively. Of the largest-cap stocks reporting, Aeon (8267 JP) is still mired in net losses and is underperforming most of its listed subsidiaries. Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP) saw its first quarterly year-on-year sales gain since Y19-Q1 and is forecasting (see below) a return to near-double-digit operating margins this year. For more, see Mio's Yaskawa – Is Sigma-X Going to Drive Large Margin Gains?.  Amongst mid-cap construction machinery companies, the divergence between Takeuchi Mfg (6432 JP) and Giken (6289 JP) is notable.     • LARGE CAP FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 9th APRIL •FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Just 65% of the annual revisions announced were positive, with Yasukawa the leading large-cap. In contrast to its results, Aeon is expecting to beat its listed grocery chain subsidiaries - all of whom are forecasting declines in profits. 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 04/​​​​​09 - Aeon, Giken & Takeuchi

• LARGER CAP RESULTS - 8th APRIL •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/593/original/image_50653961221617916076677.png?1617916077" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199593"></figure><div class="content-caption"> Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics </div>RESULTS - 48% of Thursday's 29 results announcements scored positively; however, of the largest caps, only <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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shift-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7266:1" rel="noopener">Shift (3697 JP)</a> had that distinction. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-mall-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5262:1" rel="noopener">AEON Mall (8905 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lawson-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1040:1" rel="noopener">Lawson Inc (2651 JP)</a>, both of which had revised down in the recent weeks, anchored the bottom of the table.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/595/original/image_25682293741617916377763.png?1617916379" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199595"></figure>• FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 8th APRIL •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/596/original/image_76440807551617916411847.png?1617916413" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199596"></figure>FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Conversely, 81% of annual forecasts were positive, with Aeon Mall and Lawson particularly optimistic about FY22. Fast Retailing, which only has six months left to forecast, was more circumspect. For the second year in a row, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I (3382 JP)</a> did not make an initial forecast with the full-year results. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/597/original/image_28112384961617916762514.png?1617916763" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199597"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/598/original/image_37677060271617916798074.png?1617916799" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199598"></figure>

• LARGER CAP RESULTS - 8th APRIL • Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics RESULTS - 48% of Thursday's 29 results announcements scored positively; however, of the largest caps, only Fast Retailing (9983 JP) and Shift (3697 JP) had that distinction. AEON Mall (8905 JP) and Lawson Inc (2651 JP), both of which had revised down in the recent weeks, anchored the bottom of the table.• FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 8th APRIL •FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Conversely, 81% of annual forecasts were positive, with Aeon Mall and Lawson particularly optimistic about FY22. Fast Retailing, which only has six months left to forecast, was more circumspect. For the second year in a row, Seven &amp; I (3382 JP) did not make an initial forecast with the full-year results. 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 04/​​​​08 - 7&I Fast Re and Hisamitsu Dreams

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.