Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7797:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP)</a> has, for over a decade, been restructuring itself - selling subsidiaries here and buying them in there. There are two remaining after the recent sale of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-chemical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14457:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Chemical (4217 JP)</a>, de-consolidation of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-capital-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14410:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Capital (8586 JP)</a>, and buy-in of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-high-tech-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7046:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi High-Tech (8036 JP)</a>. The earnings call in May occasioned another presentation - that of the update on <a href="http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2020/05/200529a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Progress of the Mid-Term Management Plan</a> (with a webcast and a <a href="http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2020/05/200529a/f_200529apre.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">presentation deck</a>), where the CEO responded to a question thusly:<div><blockquote>
QUESTION:  Next question is regarding the, against the backdrop of COVID-19, is this going to have an impact on the reorganisation of the listed subsidiaries?
ANSWER BY CEO HIGASHIHARA:  Regarding the listed subsidiary answer. Hitachi Construction Machinery and Hitachi Metals remain. And what we are telling the top management is that, in the time frame of fiscal year 2021 to 2024, we have to make sure these companies are able to compete globally. They are now evaluating this. It is not just a matter of COVID-19. Mid- to long-term growth strategy will be emphasised so the reorganisation strategy for the listed subsidiaries will not be impacted by COVID-19.
</blockquote></div><div>
FY 2021 to FY 2024 is a three year window starting next April, with FY2021 ending in March 2022 and FY2024 ending in March 2025.
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That was May 29, less than five months ago and the situation was discussed in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hitachi-s-capital-case-liquidating-land-policy-holdings-what-about-the-subs" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39920" rel="noopener">Hitachi's Capital Case - Liquidating Land &amp; Policy Holdings? What About the Subs?</a>.
Friday saw an article out of the Nikkei suggesting Hitachi might sell half its stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-construction-machinery" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19433:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Construction Machinery (6305 JP)</a> ("HCM") to a third party, at a discount, and that it might start a sale process on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-metals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8561:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Metals (5486 JP)</a> "this month."
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It strikes me as unlikely Hitachi would themselves be throwing in the towel 5 months later before the start of the time frame in which top management of the two subsidiaries are supposed to be able to compete globally. All of this is likely getting done with the will and direction of the subsidiaries themselves. This strikes me as some kind of agreement with management of HCM that they would not be averse to receiving expert help from outside while remaining listed. 
This changes things.
Hitachi becomes a different animal. It becomes a non-stub trade (parent vs significant value of listed short-able subs) for the first time in a very long time. And the optics change quite a bit.
</div>
</div>

Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP) has, for over a decade, been restructuring itself - selling subsidiaries here and buying them in there. There are two remaining after the recent sale of Hitachi Chemical (4217 JP), de-consolidation of Hitachi Capital (8586 JP), and buy-in of Hitachi High-Tech (8036 JP). The earnings call in May occasioned another presentation - that of the update on Progress of the Mid-Term Management Plan (with a webcast and a presentation deck), where the CEO responded to a question thusly:
QUESTION:  Next question is regarding the, against the backdrop of COVID-19, is this going to have an impact on the reorganisation of the listed subsidiaries?
ANSWER BY CEO HIGASHIHARA:  Regarding the listed subsidiary answer. Hitachi Construction Machinery and Hitachi Metals remain. And what we are telling the top management is that, in the time frame of fiscal year 2021 to 2024, we have to make sure these companies are able to compete globally. They are now evaluating this. It is not just a matter of COVID-19. Mid- to long-term growth strategy will be emphasised so the reorganisation strategy for the listed subsidiaries will not be impacted by COVID-19.

FY 2021 to FY 2024 is a three year window starting next April, with FY2021 ending in March 2022 and FY2024 ending in March 2025.

That was May 29, less than five months ago and the situation was discussed in Hitachi's Capital Case - Liquidating Land &amp; Policy Holdings? What About the Subs?.
Friday saw an article out of the Nikkei suggesting Hitachi might sell half its stake in Hitachi Construction Machinery (6305 JP) ("HCM") to a third party, at a discount, and that it might start a sale process on Hitachi Metals (5486 JP) "this month."


It strikes me as unlikely Hitachi would themselves be throwing in the towel 5 months later before the start of the time frame in which top management of the two subsidiaries are supposed to be able to compete globally. All of this is likely getting done with the will and direction of the subsidiaries themselves. This strikes me as some kind of agreement with management of HCM that they would not be averse to receiving expert help from outside while remaining listed. 
This changes things.
Hitachi becomes a different animal. It becomes a non-stub trade (parent vs significant value of listed short-able subs) for the first time in a very long time. And the optics change quite a bit.



Senior Credit Analyst, Lucror Analytics

Leonard Law, CFA

Senior Credit Analyst

High Yield Experts

Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics is a leading credit and ESG research specialist and a provider of technology solutions for differentiated fixed income strategies. Our roots are in bottom-up fundamental credit analysis with a specialization in high yield corporate credits from Europe, Asia and Latin America. We are one of few research specialists integrating ESG considerations with fundamental credit research through a dedicated ESG platform. Our ESG assessment covers five key criteria: Disclosure, E,S, & G Pillars, Controversies, ESG Impact on Credit and ESG Momentum.

Recognizing the importance and value-add of Factor Investing in fixed income, Lucror developed the Smart Quant Navigator (SQN), an intuitive platform that helps clients devise and implement factor-based strategies ranging from pure quant to active fundamental, with integrated ESG.

Our company has been at the forefront of developments in the fixed income markets, identifying opportunities and consistently delivering new products and value-adding solutions to clients. Lucror has close relationships with the largest and most reputable asset managers, family offices, hedge funds, investment and wealth managers globally.

Credit

The Europe HY Trade Book for September 2020 includes high-conviction trade ideas drawn from our European HY coverage universe, along with relative-value scatter plots and tables by industry.

  The Europe HY Trade Book for September 2020 includes high-conviction trade ideas drawn from our European HY coverage universe, along with relative-value scatter plots and tables by industry. 

Europe HY Trade Book - September 2020 - Lucror Analytics

The Europe HY Trade Book for August 2020 includes a summary of high-conviction trade ideas drawn from our European HY coverage universe, along with relative-value scatter plots and tables by industry.

  The Europe HY Trade Book for August 2020 includes a summary of high-conviction trade ideas drawn from our European HY coverage universe, along with relative-value scatter plots and tables by industry. 

Europe HY Trade Book - August 2020 - Lucror Analytics

In our sixth report on the liquidity positions of companies in our European HY coverage universe amid the COVID-19 pandemic and oil shock, we analyse issuers in the autos & auto parts sector. For auto players, the impact from the pandemic and related lockdown measures should be moderate to severe. Companies that are heavily exposed to Europe and North America, where auto production has been suspended, will likely be more severely affected. It also remains uncertain when production in these regions will resume fully. Moreover, the lockdown measures are projected to sharply impact auto sales in these regions in the near term.

  In our sixth report on the liquidity positions of companies in our European HY coverage universe amid the COVID-19 pandemic and oil shock, we analyse issuers in the autos & auto parts sector.   For auto players, the impact from the pandemic and related lockdown measures should be moderate to severe. Companies that are heavily exposed to Europe and North America, where auto production has been suspended, will likely be more severely affected. It also remains uncertain when production in these regions will resume fully. Moreover, the lockdown measures are projected to sharply impact auto sales in these regions in the near term.  

COVID-19 / Oil Shock: Liquidity Analysis Of Europe Corporates - Part 6 (Autos & Auto Parts) - Lucror Analytics

In our third report on the liquidity positions of companies in our European HY coverage universe amid the COVID-19 pandemic and oil shock, we analyse issuers in the building materials & construction sector. While the pandemic could bring construction works to a halt and producers may be affected by supply chain disruptions, the lower oil prices may benefit some companies.

  In our third report on the liquidity positions of companies in our European HY coverage universe amid the COVID-19 pandemic and oil shock, we analyse issuers in the building materials & construction sector.   While the pandemic could bring construction works to a halt and producers may be affected by supply chain disruptions, the lower oil prices may benefit some companies. 

COVID-19 / Oil Shock: Liquidity Analysis Of Europe Corporates - Part 3 (Building Materials & Construction) - Lucror Analytics

France

Valeo designs and manufactures automobile components. The Company offers clutches, engine cooling parts, lighting, electrical systems, windshield wipers, motors and actuators, security systems, electronics, and connective systems. Valeo serves automotive industry worldwide.

Plastic Omnium SA provides solutions tailored to meet the needs of worldwide carmakers and community residents.  The Company's products include automotive body modules and fuel systems as well as waste containerization products and services.  Plastic Omnium focuses on innovations which reduce car weight and fuel consumption.

Burelle SA, through subsidiaries, manufactures plastic products and street signage, and invests in real estate.  The Company produces plastic automobile body parts and fuel tanks, waste collection and recycling containers, playground equipment, high-performance resins, diagnostic disposables, inhalers and injection devices, and owns office buildings.

MGI Coutier designs, manufactures, and sells plastic and metal components. These products are used in building ventilation (vents and ducts), automobile bodies, carburetors, and window and door handles, and building materials.  The Company has factories and sales branches in France, Spain, Turkey, and the United States.

Eutelsat Communications is a KU-band satellite operator.  The Company offers television and radio broadcasting, video broadcasting, corporate networks, Internet access, and mobile communications.  Eutelsat serves Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, eastern North America, and South America.

Metropole Television SA owns and operates the television entertainment channel M6.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, holds interests in other television stations, films, audio and video editing and distribution, teleshopping, and specialty television productions and programming.  Metropole is also involved in multimedia diversification, music, interactive TV, and the Internet.

Societe Television Francaise 1 operates the French television channel TF1.  The Company produces news, drama, documentaries, sports, and children's programs. In addition, TF1 publishes and distributes videocassettes, publishes and records music on tapes and CD's, and operates a home shopping program via television and the Internet.

Trigano S.A. manufactures recreational vehicles.  The Company produces, sells, and rents motor homes and travel and industrial trailers.  Trigano also manufactures garden equipment and accessories for motor homes and trailers.

Criteo SA is a global commerce marketing technology company. The Company helps commerce companies and brand manufacturers acquire, convert and re-engage their customers, using shopping data, predictive technology and large consumer reach. Criteo prices its offering on a cost-per-click and measures its value based on post-click sales.

Ipsos conducts market research.  The Company offers advertising, marketing, media, public opinion, and social research.  All of Ipsos's research is derived from surveys.  The Company operates in Europe, Latin America, Asia/Pacific Rim, the United States, and the Middle East.

NIFCO INC. manufactures synthetic resinous fasteners and plastic components for automobiles and home electronic appliances.  The Company has its subsidiaries in Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the US.

Dana Incorporated engineers, manufactures, and distributes components and systems for worldwide automotive, heavy truck, off-highway, engine, and industrial markets. The Company also provides leasing services in selected markets.

NOK CORPORATION manufactures oil seals and industrial rubber products for automobiles.  The Company also produces electronic equipment used for cellular phones and PCs.  NOK has production facilities in Taiwan and Thailand.

Zhejiang Yinlun Machinery Co.,Ltd. develops, manufactures and markets steel plate oil cooler, concentric oil cooler, shell and tube oil cooler. The company's products are used in automobile engine systems and automatic transmission systems.

Zhejiang Yinlun Machinery Co,Ltd. (002126 CH)

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. manufactures automobile and motorcycle tires, industrial rubber products and sports equipment.  The Company's products include golf balls, tennis rackets, rubber gloves, and artificial turf. Sumitomo Rubber sells its products under Dunlop brand around the world.

TS TECH CO., LTD. manufactures seats for two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles. The Company also produces other automobile accessories.

Minth Group Ltd. manufactures exterior automobile body parts.  The Company produces structural body parts, decorative parts, and trim.  Minth supplies multinational automobile manufacturers operating in China.

Hanon Systems manufactures a variety of automotive air control equipment.  The Company's products include air conditioners, heaters, cooling modules, compressors, radiators, fans, evaporators, and condensers. Hanon Systems distributes its products on an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) basis.

LCI Industries manufactures recreational vehicles and equipment. The Company offers toolboxes, truck caps, running boards, side-outs, mattresses, alignment systems, shock absorber, power stabilizer jacks, baggage doors, and sliders. LCI Industries markets its products worldwide.

Wanxiang Qianchao Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets a variety of auto parts. The Company's products include universal joints, car vibration absorbers, transmission systems, bearings, and other related parts.  Wanxiang also trades merchandises.

Faurecia manufactures automobile parts.  The Company produces seats, vehicle interiors, exhaust systems, and front-end body parts.  The Company's customers include Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, General Motors, Ford, and Toyota.

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Faurecia (EO FP)

The Right Trade May Be Hitachi

Hitachi is getting to the end of its Core vs Non-Core restructuring campaign. Two remaining subs have newsflow, and earnings announcements shortly....

Travis Lundy

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In our sixth report on the liquidity positions of companies in our European HY coverage universe amid the COVID-19 pandemic and oil shock, we...

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COVID-19 / Oil Shock: Liquidity Analysis Of Europe Corporates - Part 3 (Building Materials & Construction) - Lucror Analytics

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Lucror Analytics

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