Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a> has restarted accumulating <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-oil-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4035:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Oil Holdings (2607 JP)</a> shares, with an acquisition of 3.5m shares during the last-quarter to take its ownership percentage in Fuji-Oil to 44%.</li>
<li>With both earnings and valuations at a cyclical bottom, Itochu could be encouraged to accumulate more Fuji Oil shares in the short term, resulting in Fuji Oil outperforming its peers.</li>
<li>We think even a takeover offer could be possible while the share price is hovering near the cyclical bottom.</li>
</ul>



Itochu Corp (8001 JP) has restarted accumulating Fuji Oil Holdings (2607 JP) shares, with an acquisition of 3.5m shares during the last-quarter to take its ownership percentage in Fuji-Oil to 44%.
With both earnings and valuations at a cyclical bottom, Itochu could be encouraged to accumulate more Fuji Oil shares in the short term, resulting in Fuji Oil outperforming its peers.
We think even a takeover offer could be possible while the share price is hovering near the cyclical bottom.


Itochu Keeps Buying Fuji Oil, Takeover Offer Could Be Possible With Shares Near The Cyclical Bottom

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>This insight will discuss the impact of Buffett's investment in Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US) on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) and SK Hynix (000660 KS).</li>
<li>We believe that Buffett's sizeable investment in TSMC is likely to have a positive impact on Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.</li>
<li>This would be similar to how Buffett's investment in the Japanese trading companies which has had a positive impact on the major Korean trading companies. </li>
</ul>


This insight will discuss the impact of Buffett's investment in Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US) on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) and SK Hynix (000660 KS).
We believe that Buffett's sizeable investment in TSMC is likely to have a positive impact on Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
This would be similar to how Buffett's investment in the Japanese trading companies which has had a positive impact on the major Korean trading companies. 


Buffett's Investment in TSMC - Impact on Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsui-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20799:1" rel="noopener">Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP)</a> on 1 November reported its results for H1 2022. H1 Revenue +37.1%yoy, OP+27.2%yoy, NP+33.2%yoy to ¥539bn. Full-year NP forecast +22.5% to ¥980bn.</li>
<li>Mitsui raised its dividend forecast (previously scheduled to rise from ¥105/share to ¥120/share) to ¥130/share and announced a ¥140bn buyback, adding to the ¥100bn announced in May completed in September.</li>
<li>The first ¥58.6bn was done in a ToSTNeT-3 buyback. Now there is another ¥79.4bn to go. There's also a fair bit of index selling the next 6mos.</li>
</ul>



Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP) on 1 November reported its results for H1 2022. H1 Revenue +37.1%yoy, OP+27.2%yoy, NP+33.2%yoy to ¥539bn. Full-year NP forecast +22.5% to ¥980bn.
Mitsui raised its dividend forecast (previously scheduled to rise from ¥105/share to ¥120/share) to ¥130/share and announced a ¥140bn buyback, adding to the ¥100bn announced in May completed in September.
The first ¥58.6bn was done in a ToSTNeT-3 buyback. Now there is another ¥79.4bn to go. There's also a fair bit of index selling the next 6mos.


Mitsui & Co (8031) Buyback - Big Profit, Big Div, Big Buyback, Some Index Selling

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. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Muji has been trying to both reduce prices and consumer perception of its price positioning in the past few years, both at home and abroad. </li>
<li>This has been hard but a new ¥500 chain will make it clear that Muji is shifting positioning.</li>
<li>Muji will now even compete with discount and fixed price chains across food, home and clothing and the new price format will be much better suited to markets like China.</li>
</ul>


Muji has been trying to both reduce prices and consumer perception of its price positioning in the past few years, both at home and abroad. 
This has been hard but a new ¥500 chain will make it clear that Muji is shifting positioning.
Muji will now even compete with discount and fixed price chains across food, home and clothing and the new price format will be much better suited to markets like China.


Muji 500: The Missing Key to Plans for 2,000 Stores

<ul>
<li>Adastria's growth has been sporadic in recent years as it adjusts to maturity and saturation in core apparel markets.It has diversification projects but these will take time to develop.</li>
<li>It thinks it can find faster growth by franchising and licensing with already well-known brands, starting with Forever 21.</li>
<li>It also has a new business providing apparel collections to General Merchandise Retailers, starting with Izumi.</li>
</ul>


Adastria's growth has been sporadic in recent years as it adjusts to maturity and saturation in core apparel markets.It has diversification projects but these will take time to develop.
It thinks it can find faster growth by franchising and licensing with already well-known brands, starting with Forever 21.
It also has a new business providing apparel collections to General Merchandise Retailers, starting with Izumi.


Adastria Signs Forever 21, New Growth Through Licensing?

Japan

ITOCHU Corporation is a general trading firm handling textiles, wood, machinery, metals, food, chemicals, construction materials, commodities, and energy related products such as oil and gas. The Company operates around the world. Itochu diversifies by operating in satellite communication and data communication businesses.

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Itochu Corp (8001 JP)

Itochu Keeps Buying Fuji Oil, Takeover Offer Could Be Possible With Shares Near The Cyclical Bottom

It looks like Itochu has restarted accumulating Fuji Oil shares yet again with an acquisition of an additional 3.5m shares during the last quarter...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Buffett's Investment in TSMC - Impact on Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix

This insight will discuss the impact of Buffett's investment in Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US) on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) and...

Douglas Kim

Mitsui & Co (8031) Buyback - Big Profit, Big Div, Big Buyback, Some Index Selling

Mitsui Corp last week announced strong results and upward guidance, especially in energy. Consensus says Mar-23 is the cycle peak. Higher div,...

Travis Lundy

Muji 500: The Missing Key to Plans for 2,000 Stores

Muji has been suffering of late but a new format focusing on prices below ¥500 could solve multiple problems both at home and overseas.

Michael Causton

Adastria Signs Forever 21, New Growth Through Licensing?

Adastria has suffered from inconsistent growth recently as it adjusted to maturity and the pandemic but has come up with two new growth ideas:...

Michael Causton

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