Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zozo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18379:1" rel="noopener">ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)</a> is +10% since the close <em>after</em> the Nikkei 225 inclusion announcement vs Nikkei225 +2%. Fellow upweight Nitori is up too. Disco and Socionext are up less.</li>
<li>All three inclusions and one upweight see considerable inclusion demand when compared to active holdings. Some more than others. </li>
<li>Some trades here are more interesting than others, still. Cumulative excess volumes are one guide. Fundamentals, and flow dynamics are another.</li>
</ul>



ZOZO Inc (3092 JP) is +10% since the close after the Nikkei 225 inclusion announcement vs Nikkei225 +2%. Fellow upweight Nitori is up too. Disco and Socionext are up less.
All three inclusions and one upweight see considerable inclusion demand when compared to active holdings. Some more than others. 
Some trades here are more interesting than others, still. Cumulative excess volumes are one guide. Fundamentals, and flow dynamics are another.


Mar24 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Zozo (3092) And Other ADDs Update

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>Many are asking why KDDI would want to buy 50% of Lawson, Japan's third biggest convenience store chain.</li>
<li>Some more imaginative analysts suggest this could be just the first step towards KDDI merging with Rakuten in order to beat Amazon.</li>
<li>The more likely future is an ecosystem to challenge Rakuten and LY Corp (Yahoo etc), starting with points and payments and evolving to other Fintech, e-commerce and health.</li>
</ul>


Many are asking why KDDI would want to buy 50% of Lawson, Japan's third biggest convenience store chain.
Some more imaginative analysts suggest this could be just the first step towards KDDI merging with Rakuten in order to beat Amazon.
The more likely future is an ecosystem to challenge Rakuten and LY Corp (Yahoo etc), starting with points and payments and evolving to other Fintech, e-commerce and health.


KDDI and Lawson: Building an Ecosystem from a Base of Loyalty Points

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>E-Commerce growth slowed marginally as the sector consolidated post-Covid but remained higher than any other channel in 2022. </li>
<li>By 2025-26, it will be the largest channel, overtaking convenience stores – but Japan’s continuing support for retail stores means that omnichannel will be the main model.</li>
<li>As a result, the majority of transactions will be researched, initiated, and fulfilled through a combination of online and physical stores.</li>
</ul>


E-Commerce growth slowed marginally as the sector consolidated post-Covid but remained higher than any other channel in 2022. 
By 2025-26, it will be the largest channel, overtaking convenience stores – but Japan’s continuing support for retail stores means that omnichannel will be the main model.
As a result, the majority of transactions will be researched, initiated, and fulfilled through a combination of online and physical stores.


E-Commerce in Japan: Omnichannel Consolidation

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Ying Pan

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

<ul>
<li>1810 HK/BIDU: Google's Gemma is an important move for client-side AI (+)</li>
<li>3690 HK: Local news said Douyin has deemphasized take out business (+)</li>
<li>PDD/4689 JP/AMZN/4385 JP/4755 JP: Data indicates that Temu is particularly popular in Japan (+/~/-/-/-)</li>
</ul>


1810 HK/BIDU: Google's Gemma is an important move for client-side AI (+)
3690 HK: Local news said Douyin has deemphasized take out business (+)
PDD/4689 JP/AMZN/4385 JP/4755 JP: Data indicates that Temu is particularly popular in Japan (+/~/-/-/-)


[Blue Lotus Daily - TMT Update]: 700 HK/1810 HK/BIDU/JD/BABA/PDD/1024 HK/3690 HK/WB/4689JP/4755JP

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei 225 data for the March 2024 rebalance is a wrap. The names are the same as before but there is likely less <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/disco-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15817:1" rel="noopener">DISCO Corp (6146 JP)</a> to buy.</li>
<li>It's still big, but smaller than before because of the difference between performance and the change in PAF required to be below 1%. A 4:1 share split would be optimal.</li>
<li>I recommend a few positioning changes from before, and the Fast Retailing trade loses one short-term option but the longer-term one stays in place.</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei 225 data for the March 2024 rebalance is a wrap. The names are the same as before but there is likely less DISCO Corp (6146 JP) to buy.
It's still big, but smaller than before because of the difference between performance and the change in PAF required to be below 1%. A 4:1 share split would be optimal.
I recommend a few positioning changes from before, and the Fast Retailing trade loses one short-term option but the longer-term one stays in place.


FINAL PREDICTIONS: March 2024 Nikkei 225 Rebal (Socionext, Disco, and 1 Consumer Goods Stock to ADD)

Japan

USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS Co.,Ltd. provides network information services. The Company provides video contents distribution, music contents distribution, and other services. USEN-NEXT HOLDINGS also provides internet agency, mobile communication, and other services.

Stream Media Corporation provides management of artists events and medias. The Company manages activities of Korean artists in Japan, and plans and organizes activities including their music and appearances at events, official mobile sites,  fan club sites, and others in commercials. Stream Media also provides Korean channel broadcasting services,

OKINAWA CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY provides cellular and car phone services in Okinawa Prefecture.  The Company also sells cellular phones and accessories.

ARTERIA Networks Corporation provides telecommunication services. The Company offers internet connection, virtual private network construction, colocation, mobile connection, mobile device management, optical fiber network construction, and other services.

Vision Inc. provides a variety of telecommunication services, including fixed-line telecom, wireless telecom and wifi services. The company also provides distribution and lease service of office equipments and communications equipments.

FreeBit Co., Ltd. provides Internet connectivity outsourcing services for Internet service providers.  The Company also offers ubiquitous networking environment.  FreeBit provides consulting services for Internet related businesses as well.

Japan Communications Inc. provides telecommunication services to corporate clients.  The Company also provides wireless high-speed internet access mainly to consumers.

Broadmedia Corporation provides broadband service, CDN (contents delivery network), and media contents belonging to Softbank broadcasting. Broadmedia also markets game on demand service.

BroadBand Tower, Inc. operates Internet data centers to provide space services and Internet connectivity services.  The Company also distributes video contents on the Internet.

FORVAL TELECOM, INC. is a telecommunication services reseller, and provides discount international and domestic telephone and cellular phone services for the business and private sectors.  The Company also sells prepaid telephone cards and calling card services, and also does network and systems consulting.

Snap Inc. provides technology and social media services. The Company develops mobile camera application products and services that allow users to send and receive photos, drawings, text, and videos. Snap serves customers worldwide.

CAR Group Limited operates as a digital marketplace for vehicles. The Company provides a diversified portfolio of brands to sell and buy cars. CAR Group serves customers worldwide.

Match Group, Inc. is a dating service provider. The Company offers diverse portfolio of apps and services which enables connections across the spectrum of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, and backgrounds. Match Group serves customers worldwide.

Pinterest, Inc. operates and maintains social networking site. The Company provides online venue for personal photos, ideas, oddities, decorations, places to visit, recipes, and other items. Pinterest serves customers worldwide.

IAC Inc operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides media and Internet services. IAC serves customers worldwide.

Domain Holdings Australia Limited offers multi-platform property solutions. The Company operates an online portal that delivers property marketing solutions for residential, new development, and commercial properties. Domain Holdings Australia serves buyers, sellers, renters, and investors in Australia.

EverQuote, Inc. operates as an Internet based marketing firm. The Company, through its platform, enables consumers to connect with auto insurance carriers and agents to meet their auto insurance needs. EverQuote serves customers in the United States.

Hello Group Inc. operates as a mobile-based social networking platform. The Company enables users to establish and expand social relationships based on location and interests. Hello Group operates out of the Peoples Republic of China.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company. The Company offers live wrestling events, television programming, music publishing, advertising, licensing, and home video streaming services. World Wrestling distributes its programs worldwide in various languages.

Fox Corporation operates as an entertainment company. The Company produces and licenses news, sports, and entertainment content for distribution through cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators, telecommunications companies, and online video distributors. Fox also manages broadcast studios, theaters, editing bays, sound stages, and other production facilities.

LY Corporation operates as an internet search engine "Yahoo! JAPAN". The Company provides electronic commerce and settlement finance services for small medium enterprises and individuals. LY also operates media business including search linked advertising and display advertising services.

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LY (4689 JP)

Mar24 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Zozo (3092) And Other ADDs Update

The Mar24 N225 rebal has 5 days to run. So far, 3 of 4 stocks ADDed or UPweighted are up vs N225. DELETEs are down. There is a big funding sell....

Travis Lundy

KDDI and Lawson: Building an Ecosystem from a Base of Loyalty Points

KDDI's acquisition of 50% of Lawson is probably a strategic move towards building an ecosystem to compete with Rakuten and LY, using loyalty...

Michael Causton

E-Commerce in Japan: Omnichannel Consolidation

E-commerce growth in Japan remains strong post-Covid, set to overtake convenience stores by 2025-26, with omnichannel model becoming dominant for...

Michael Causton

[Blue Lotus Daily - TMT Update]: 700 HK/1810 HK/BIDU/JD/BABA/PDD/1024 HK/3690 HK/WB/4689JP/4755JP

Google's Gemma is an important move for client-side AI; Douyin shifts focus away from takeout; and Temu gains popularity in Japan.

Blue Lotus Research Institute

FINAL PREDICTIONS: March 2024 Nikkei 225 Rebal (Socionext, Disco, and 1 Consumer Goods Stock to ADD)

The announcement will come out in <3 weeks. Since I published, we have an update that Yanai-san sold Fast Retailing shares, Nitori jumped 8% on...

Travis Lundy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Mar24 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Zozo (3092) And Other ADDs Update

The Mar24 N225 rebal has 5 days to run. So far, 3 of 4 stocks ADDed or UPweighted are up vs N225. DELETEs are down. There is a big funding sell....

Travis Lundy

KDDI and Lawson: Building an Ecosystem from a Base of Loyalty Points

​KDDI's acquisition of 50% of Lawson is probably a strategic move towards building an ecosystem to compete with Rakuten and LY, using loyalty...

Michael Causton

E-Commerce in Japan: Omnichannel Consolidation

​E-commerce growth in Japan remains strong post-Covid, set to overtake convenience stores by 2025-26, with omnichannel model becoming dominant for...

Michael Causton

[Blue Lotus Daily - TMT Update]: 700 HK/1810 HK/BIDU/JD/BABA/PDD/1024 HK/3690 HK/WB/4689JP/4755JP

​Google's Gemma is an important move for client-side AI; Douyin shifts focus away from takeout; and Temu gains popularity in Japan.

Blue Lotus Research Institute

FINAL PREDICTIONS: March 2024 Nikkei 225 Rebal (Socionext, Disco, and 1 Consumer Goods Stock to ADD)

The announcement will come out in <3 weeks. Since I published, we have an update that Yanai-san sold Fast Retailing shares, Nitori jumped 8% on...

Travis Lundy

KDDI's acquisition of 50% of Lawson is probably a strategic move towards building an ecosystem to compete with Rakuten and LY, using loyalty...

E-commerce growth in Japan remains strong post-Covid, set to overtake convenience stores by 2025-26, with omnichannel model becoming dominant for...

Google's Gemma is an important move for client-side AI; Douyin shifts focus away from takeout; and Temu gains popularity in Japan.