Japanese Turnaround Situations, Short-Ideas, Azabu Research

Michael Allen

Japanese Turnaround Situations, Short-Ideas

Azabu Research

Azabu Research is a publishing and consulting firm focused on distressed equities in the Japanese market. We specialize in turnaround strategies, corporate combinations, divestitures, and restructuring.

Publisher of the Tokyo Turnaround Letter, which conducts the most thorough research possible of publicly available information, including forensic tests for fraudulent overstatement of assets and understatement of liabilities, as well as rigorous market and industry analysis to assess the underlying strengths of the company’s products or services, the appropriateness of the company’s turnaround strategy, and the skill of its current management team. The average length of a report exceeds 25 pages of text and tables, excluding any disclosures or executive summaries.

We have more than 30 years of experience in applying this process to distressed equities in Japan. Additionally, subscribers have free access to detailed, yet easily navigated earnings models for the target company as well as the top five comparable companies, and unlimited access to the analyst for follow-up questions.

Azabu Research also conducts be-spoke research on a project basis, and provides consulting services to companies looking to restructure, divest, make acquisitions, go public, or improve investor sentiment toward their stock.

Independent Research and Consulting Firm

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Adding a new strategy I call TARP – Tariff-Proof at a Reasonable Price. Stocks need to have little or no direct or indirect exposure to the US unless locally procured.</li>
<li>Kotobuki (2222), Kikkoman (2801), and Orix JREIT (8954) are all close to bullet-proof.</li>
<li>Yamada (9831) proves that what the market is looking for is a concept of a plan, not necessarily results.</li>
</ul>


Adding a new strategy I call TARP – Tariff-Proof at a Reasonable Price. Stocks need to have little or no direct or indirect exposure to the US unless locally procured.
Kotobuki (2222), Kikkoman (2801), and Orix JREIT (8954) are all close to bullet-proof.
Yamada (9831) proves that what the market is looking for is a concept of a plan, not necessarily results.


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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Index Rebalance

Nomura Research Institute / Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nomura-research-institute-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18129:1" rel="noopener">Nomura Research Institute (4307 JP)</a> and <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> will replace <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-paper-industries-co-l" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:557:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Paper Industries Co L (3863 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dic-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7343:1" rel="noopener">Dic Corp (4631 JP)</a> in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a>. </li>
<li>
<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>'s CPAF will drop from 3 to 2.7 and there will be further selling in March 2025 as the CPAF drops to 2.4 (or possibly even 2.1!) </li>
<li>Passives will need to buy 7-15x ADV (13-14% of real float) in the adds and sell 2.7-6.5x ADV in the deletes. There is a big reverse funding trade too.</li>
</ul>



Nomura Research Institute (4307 JP) and Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP) will replace Nippon Paper Industries Co L (3863 JP) and Dic Corp (4631 JP) in the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX). 

Fast Retailing (9983 JP)'s CPAF will drop from 3 to 2.7 and there will be further selling in March 2025 as the CPAF drops to 2.4 (or possibly even 2.1!) 
Passives will need to buy 7-15x ADV (13-14% of real float) in the adds and sell 2.7-6.5x ADV in the deletes. There is a big reverse funding trade too.


Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance: NRI, Ryohin Keikaku IN; Nippon Paper, DIC OUT; Fast Retailing Capped

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The 2023 Version of <strong>JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What?</strong> where we break down the major (and minor) passive tracking indices and which category of investor owns how much of each. </li>
<li>Even if you do not "play" index changes, understanding impact is important. Advantest is up 100% in 3mos. Existing passive ownership and new passive buying were crucial to that performance.</li>
<li>Understanding the nature of the ownership and flows is crucial to understanding how to trade certain stocks in Japan. </li>
</ul>


The 2023 Version of JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What? where we break down the major (and minor) passive tracking indices and which category of investor owns how much of each. 
Even if you do not "play" index changes, understanding impact is important. Advantest is up 100% in 3mos. Existing passive ownership and new passive buying were crucial to that performance.
Understanding the nature of the ownership and flows is crucial to understanding how to trade certain stocks in Japan. 


Equity Derivatives Broker - Delta One Japan, Vantage Capital Markets Japan

François-Xavier Pustoc'h

Equity Derivatives Broker - Delta One Japan

Independent Financial Broker

Vantage Capital Markets Japan

We provide world class financial solutions to our extensive institutional client base including rapidly growing corporations, leading investment banks, commercial banks, asset managers, private equity funds, family offices and hedge funds.

Our services include capital market offerings and placements, wholesale brokerage and execution of cash and derivative products (both listed and OTC) across a range of asset classes.

VCM has offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Dubai from where we service our global client base. Our strength lies in the experience and quality of our teams, supported by excellent operations and infrastructure.

<ul>
<li>On January 31st, Nikkei released a note “<a href="https://indexes.nikkei.co.jp/nkave/archives/news/20250131E_1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regarding the Capping Ratio of Fast Retailing in Nikkei </a><a href="https://indexes.nikkei.co.jp/nkave/archives/news/20250131E_1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">225</a>” about the change in capping ratio of Fast Retailing (9983.T) in the Nikkei 225 index.</li>
<li>As per the <a href="https://indexes.nikkei.co.jp/nkave/archives/file/nikkei_stock_average_guidebook_en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nikkei Stock Average Index Guidebook</a> (cf. below) the capping ratio will be changed from 0.9 to 0.8 from April 1st, 2025.</li>
<li>The change in the capping ratio is meant to change the weight of the shares from the current 11.18% to below the cap threshold of 10%. </li>
</ul>


On January 31st, Nikkei released a note “Regarding the Capping Ratio of Fast Retailing in Nikkei 225” about the change in capping ratio of Fast Retailing (9983.T) in the Nikkei 225 index.
As per the Nikkei Stock Average Index Guidebook (cf. below) the capping ratio will be changed from 0.9 to 0.8 from April 1st, 2025.
The change in the capping ratio is meant to change the weight of the shares from the current 11.18% to below the cap threshold of 10%. 


Capping Ratio of Fast Retailing in Nikkei 225

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Capital Markets

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Company / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/foshan-haitian-flavouring-food-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44279:1" rel="noopener">Foshan Haitian Flavouring &amp; Food Company (FHF HK)</a>, the largest condiment company in China, is seeking an H-share IPO in Hong Kong. </li>
<li>It has established brand recognition and leadership positions, product innovation and diversification, opportunities from industry consolidation, and steady earnings with net cash.</li>
<li>Assuming a 28% HA discount, the same as the HS Stock Connect, this implies an FY25 PER of 23.2x. Versus <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kikkoman-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11720:1" rel="noopener">Kikkoman Corp (2801 JP)</a>'s 23.8x, this seems not attractive enough. </li>
</ul>



Foshan Haitian Flavouring &amp; Food Company (FHF HK), the largest condiment company in China, is seeking an H-share IPO in Hong Kong. 
It has established brand recognition and leadership positions, product innovation and diversification, opportunities from industry consolidation, and steady earnings with net cash.
Assuming a 28% HA discount, the same as the HS Stock Connect, this implies an FY25 PER of 23.2x. Versus Kikkoman Corp (2801 JP)'s 23.8x, this seems not attractive enough. 


Foshan Haitian Flavouring Pre-IPO: A Stable Breed

Japan

KIKKOMAN CORPORATION produces and markets soy sauce, alcoholic beverages, and other food products.  The Company has marketing rights for Del Monte brand products outside of the United States.  Kikkoman also operates restaurants in Japan and other countries.

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Kikkoman Corp (2801 JP)

Unloved Japan: Cheap & Tariff-Proof

New strategy TARP focuses on investing in stocks with little to no exposure to the US, highlighting companies like Kotobuki, Kikkoman, and Orix...

Michael Allen

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance: NRI, Ryohin Keikaku IN; Nippon Paper, DIC OUT; Fast Retailing Capped

Nomura Research Institute and Ryohin Keikaku replace Nippon Paper and DIC in the Nikkei 225. Fast Retailing will be capped (and probably again in...

Brian Freitas

JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What 2023?

This is the annual JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What report for 2023. It is a comprehensive of the major index exposures in Japan by index tracker type,...

Travis Lundy

Capping Ratio of Fast Retailing in Nikkei 225

On January 31st, Nikkei released a note “Regarding the Capping Ratio of Fast Retailing in Nikkei 225” about the change in capping ratio of Fast...

Vantage Capital Markets Japan

Foshan Haitian Flavouring Pre-IPO: A Stable Breed

Foshan Haitian plans an H-share IPO in HK with strong brand recognition, innovation, consolidation, steady earnings, and net cash. A steeper-than...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Unloved Japan: Cheap & Tariff-Proof

​New strategy TARP focuses on investing in stocks with little to no exposure to the US, highlighting companies like Kotobuki, Kikkoman, and Orix...

Michael Allen

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance: NRI, Ryohin Keikaku IN; Nippon Paper, DIC OUT; Fast Retailing Capped

Nomura Research Institute and Ryohin Keikaku replace Nippon Paper and DIC in the Nikkei 225. Fast Retailing will be capped (and probably again in...

Brian Freitas

JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What 2023?

This is the annual JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What report for 2023. It is a comprehensive of the major index exposures in Japan by index tracker type,...

Travis Lundy

Capping Ratio of Fast Retailing in Nikkei 225

On January 31st, Nikkei released a note “Regarding the Capping Ratio of Fast Retailing in Nikkei 225” about the change in capping ratio of Fast...

Vantage Capital Markets Japan

Foshan Haitian Flavouring Pre-IPO: A Stable Breed

​Foshan Haitian plans an H-share IPO in HK with strong brand recognition, innovation, consolidation, steady earnings, and net cash. A steeper-than...

Osbert Tang, CFA

New strategy TARP focuses on investing in stocks with little to no exposure to the US, highlighting companies like Kotobuki, Kikkoman, and Orix...

Foshan Haitian plans an H-share IPO in HK with strong brand recognition, innovation, consolidation, steady earnings, and net cash. A steeper-than...