Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Further PM Ishiba flip-flopping on his previously hawkish rates policy, set to catch markets wrong footed today.</li>
<li>Homebuilders may face a bigger fallout than expected from hurricane Helene given the potential to squeeze margins as materials and workers are prioritized for emergency efforts.</li>
<li>Exporters including autos, R/E and tourism related names should see renewed interest on the weak yen.</li>
</ul>


Further PM Ishiba flip-flopping on his previously hawkish rates policy, set to catch markets wrong footed today.
Homebuilders may face a bigger fallout than expected from hurricane Helene given the potential to squeeze margins as materials and workers are prioritized for emergency efforts.
Exporters including autos, R/E and tourism related names should see renewed interest on the weak yen.


Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>At end-September, the Nikkei 225 semi-annual review imposed a "cap" on <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> in the Average, applying a 0.9 coefficient to the Price Adjustment Factor.</li>
<li>At its current weight, Fast Retailing will be capped again in March 2025. If the stock outperforms Nikkei 225 by another 3% before 31 January 2025, it could be double-capped.</li>
<li>And an additional 16% would mean ¥1.1trln of sales in March. But like last time, this is a rubber band which stretches. Too far, and selling pressure is obvious.</li>
</ul>


At end-September, the Nikkei 225 semi-annual review imposed a "cap" on Fast Retailing (9983 JP) in the Average, applying a 0.9 coefficient to the Price Adjustment Factor.
At its current weight, Fast Retailing will be capped again in March 2025. If the stock outperforms Nikkei 225 by another 3% before 31 January 2025, it could be double-capped.
And an additional 16% would mean ¥1.1trln of sales in March. But like last time, this is a rubber band which stretches. Too far, and selling pressure is obvious.


Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Considering Fast Retailing Capping.... Again...

<ul>
<li>Don't expect initial 'sell the fact' reaction to Fed's best-case 50 bps cut to weigh on Japan, with a lot of money on the sidelines in Asia to be deployed.</li>
<li>Shin-Etsu via its PVC sub Shintech and the Japanese home builders with high US exposure continue to look attractive as rate cut plays.</li>
<li>Further US export controls for allies on chip making equipment are imminent and names with lower China sales ratios remain the safer SPE plays.</li>
</ul>


Don't expect initial 'sell the fact' reaction to Fed's best-case 50 bps cut to weigh on Japan, with a lot of money on the sidelines in Asia to be deployed.
Shin-Etsu via its PVC sub Shintech and the Japanese home builders with high US exposure continue to look attractive as rate cut plays.
Further US export controls for allies on chip making equipment are imminent and names with lower China sales ratios remain the safer SPE plays.


Japan Morning Connection: Market Expected to Recover After Fed Announcement

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<ul>
<li>On 13 September, the Ministry of Finance of Japan added 7&amp;I to <a href="https://www.mof.go.jp/policy/international_policy/gaitame_kawase/press_release/20240913.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a list of "core" designated companies</a> based on results of voluntary inquiries to all listed companies.</li>
<li>Several media reports suggest that the change in 7&amp;I’s designation to core would complicate the proposed acquisition by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a>. The core designation will not change Couche-Tard's strategy.</li>
<li>The change to 7&amp;I’s designation to core will paradoxically push Couche-Tard to firm up its revised offer. An undemanding valuation protects the downside of a no-deal situation.</li>
</ul>


On 13 September, the Ministry of Finance of Japan added 7&amp;I to a list of "core" designated companies based on results of voluntary inquiries to all listed companies.
Several media reports suggest that the change in 7&amp;I’s designation to core would complicate the proposed acquisition by Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN). The core designation will not change Couche-Tard's strategy.
The change to 7&amp;I’s designation to core will paradoxically push Couche-Tard to firm up its revised offer. An undemanding valuation protects the downside of a no-deal situation.


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Core Designation Does Not Change Couche-Tard’s Calculus

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. 

<ul>
<li>Core inflation rates remain stubbornly high and real wages are still falling. </li>
<li>Surveys suggest one more major round of price hikes in October but the government still thinks prices will stabilise below its 2% target by the end of the year.</li>
<li>The increases are lowering consumer confidence – bad news for most retailers, although major discount chains are making hay while the sun, well, doesn’t shine.</li>
</ul>


Core inflation rates remain stubbornly high and real wages are still falling. 
Surveys suggest one more major round of price hikes in October but the government still thinks prices will stabilise below its 2% target by the end of the year.
The increases are lowering consumer confidence – bad news for most retailers, although major discount chains are making hay while the sun, well, doesn’t shine.


Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japan

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation operates discount stores which sell consumer electronics, daily necessities, groceries, watches, and sporting goods. The Company mostly operates small scale stores based in Tokyo.

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)

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

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)

Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Andrew Jackson

Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Considering Fast Retailing Capping.... Again...

Fast Retailing is the first Nikkei 225 stock to be capped. That meant nearly ¥400bn of selling yesterday. Now it is due to be capped again in 6...

Travis Lundy

Japan Morning Connection: Market Expected to Recover After Fed Announcement

Japan expected to recover this morning after Fed announcement. Japanese home builders continue to look attractive. Companies with lower China...

Andrew Jackson

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Core Designation Does Not Change Couche-Tard’s Calculus

The change to 7&I’s designation to core will paradoxically push Couche-Tard to firm up its revised offer. An undemanding valuation protects the...

Arun George

Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japanese consumer markets have three big trends: higher prices/squeezed incomes, doubling of single households and more people feeling the pinch....

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

​PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Andrew Jackson

Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Considering Fast Retailing Capping.... Again...

Fast Retailing is the first Nikkei 225 stock to be capped. That meant nearly ¥400bn of selling yesterday. Now it is due to be capped again in 6...

Travis Lundy

Japan Morning Connection: Market Expected to Recover After Fed Announcement

​Japan expected to recover this morning after Fed announcement. Japanese home builders continue to look attractive. Companies with lower China...

Andrew Jackson

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Core Designation Does Not Change Couche-Tard’s Calculus

The change to 7&I’s designation to core will paradoxically push Couche-Tard to firm up its revised offer. An undemanding valuation protects the...

Arun George

Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japanese consumer markets have three big trends: higher prices/squeezed incomes, doubling of single households and more people feeling the pinch....

Michael Causton

PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Japan expected to recover this morning after Fed announcement. Japanese home builders continue to look attractive. Companies with lower China...