'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/748/original/2020-05-16_08-18-15.png?1589584720" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133748"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>"WORSENING"</strong> - The Cabinet Office updated their Business Condition Leading Indicator for March this week, confirming the trend already apparent from our Results &amp; Revision Score data series. The correlation between the series is 0.80, with the only significant deviation occurring in 2016, Coincident conditions are assessed as "worsening" wording that is unchanged since August 2019. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/788/original/2020-05-16_12-10-50.png?1589598664" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133788"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>DECOMPOSED</strong> - Our Score is decomposed into a Results Score, an Annual Forecast/Revision Score and an Interim Forecast Revision Score.  The last two are ten-year lows; the first should join them next week. A notable limiting factor is the shortage of forecasts being made. Without this reticence, both forecast Scores would be considerably lower.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/795/original/2020-05-16_12-47-02.png?1589600841" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133795"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>RETICENCE</strong> - 77% by number and 81% by value of companies with year-ends in  March, June, September, or December have already reported. Of these 2,464 companies representing ¥438 trillion of market cap, just 1,119 have issued annual forecasts for the current year, and 583 have made interim forecasts. Of all listed companies, one-third by market value are currently unable to see ahead twelve months and only 16% by value and 23% by number are prepared to look forward four-and-a-half months. This unusual degree of reticence leaves the sell-side without their regular anchoring comfort blanket.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/802/original/2020-05-16_13-27-57.png?1589605282" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133802"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>NOT CHEAP</strong> -  Even allowing for the lack of a full complement of forecasts, the market's forward multiple is at a five-year high with Net Income expected to reach levels first seen in 2015, 37% below the December 2018 peak. The ten-year peak trailing multiple was 29 on aggregate Net Income of  ¥14.6 trillion, which was ten times the 2009 trough.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/801/original/2020-05-16_14-00-16.png?1589605245" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133801"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>FIDDLING ABOUT</strong> - The Bank of Japan has reduced the amount of its daily ETF program for a second time; however, intervened for the last three days of last week seemingly intent on keeping 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> above 20,000. The cumulative total of BoJ purchases represents over 5% of the Total Market Value.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/884/original/2020-05-17_12-54-22.png?1589687679" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133884"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> below, we review some market data trends, look at the Results &amp; Revision Score trends by Sector (a 15-year timeline is shown above), apply some KPMG 'recovery analysis' to Japan and look at Friday's results and revisions.</p><div><ul>
<li>The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the <strong>490</strong> results announcements was <strong>206:45:239</strong>. The average change in Results Score was <strong>-0.2</strong>.</li>
<li>For the <strong>205</strong> revisions/initial forecasts, the split was <strong>49:10:146</strong>, and the average Revision Score was <strong>-7.5</strong>. Of the <strong>364</strong> companies declaring full-year results, <strong>47%</strong> made forecasts for the current year.</li>
<li>Fifty-one will announce today, the largest of which by market capitalisation will be <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/terumo-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6708:1" rel="noopener">Terumo Corp (4543 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/komatsu-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8416:1" rel="noopener">Komatsu (6301 JP).</a>
</li>
</ul></div>

Source • Japan Analytics"WORSENING" - The Cabinet Office updated their Business Condition Leading Indicator for March this week, confirming the trend already apparent from our Results &amp; Revision Score data series. The correlation between the series is 0.80, with the only significant deviation occurring in 2016, Coincident conditions are assessed as "worsening" wording that is unchanged since August 2019. Source • Japan AnalyticsDECOMPOSED - Our Score is decomposed into a Results Score, an Annual Forecast/Revision Score and an Interim Forecast Revision Score.  The last two are ten-year lows; the first should join them next week. A notable limiting factor is the shortage of forecasts being made. Without this reticence, both forecast Scores would be considerably lower.Source • Japan AnalyticsRETICENCE - 77% by number and 81% by value of companies with year-ends in  March, June, September, or December have already reported. Of these 2,464 companies representing ¥438 trillion of market cap, just 1,119 have issued annual forecasts for the current year, and 583 have made interim forecasts. Of all listed companies, one-third by market value are currently unable to see ahead twelve months and only 16% by value and 23% by number are prepared to look forward four-and-a-half months. This unusual degree of reticence leaves the sell-side without their regular anchoring comfort blanket.Source • Japan AnalyticsNOT CHEAP -  Even allowing for the lack of a full complement of forecasts, the market's forward multiple is at a five-year high with Net Income expected to reach levels first seen in 2015, 37% below the December 2018 peak. The ten-year peak trailing multiple was 29 on aggregate Net Income of  ¥14.6 trillion, which was ten times the 2009 trough.Source • Japan AnalyticsFIDDLING ABOUT - The Bank of Japan has reduced the amount of its daily ETF program for a second time; however, intervened for the last three days of last week seemingly intent on keeping the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) above 20,000. The cumulative total of BoJ purchases represents over 5% of the Total Market Value.Source • Japan AnalyticsIn the DETAIL below, we review some market data trends, look at the Results &amp; Revision Score trends by Sector (a 15-year timeline is shown above), apply some KPMG 'recovery analysis' to Japan and look at Friday's results and revisions.
The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the 490 results announcements was 206:45:239. The average change in Results Score was -0.2.
For the 205 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 49:10:146, and the average Revision Score was -7.5. Of the 364 companies declaring full-year results, 47% made forecasts for the current year.
Fifty-one will announce today, the largest of which by market capitalisation will be Softbank Group (9984 JP), Terumo Corp (4543 JP), and Komatsu (6301 JP).



🇯🇵 JAPAN MARKET UPDATE 18th May - "Worsening"

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Quantitative Analysis

<p>Three days ago I wrote <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/boj-etf-buying-update" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:38783" rel="noopener">BOJ ETF Buying Update</a> which described the impact of the BOJ buying ETFs on the underlying constituents. </p><p>This morning, the BOJ made a small clarification, or possibly amendment, to their purchasing plan. </p><p>This changes the daily purchasing constituent basket slightly, favouring the Nikkei 225 vs what the market <em>probably</em> thought it was doing since mid-March. </p><p>A quick refresher course on BOJ ETF buying constituency is below.</p>

Three days ago I wrote BOJ ETF Buying Update which described the impact of the BOJ buying ETFs on the underlying constituents. This morning, the BOJ made a small clarification, or possibly amendment, to their purchasing plan. This changes the daily purchasing constituent basket slightly, favouring the Nikkei 225 vs what the market probably thought it was doing since mid-March. A quick refresher course on BOJ ETF buying constituency is below.

Macroeconomics

<p>The BOJ lifted its daily ETF purchase rate on 2 March to a then-record ¥100bn in response to market weakness the previous week and Monday morning in Asia time. </p><p>Two weeks later, true global central bank easing activity was launched. On 16 March, the BOJ announced <em>Enhancement of Monetary Easing in Light of the Impact of the Outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).</em></p><p>As discussed in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-delta-i-the-boj-ups-etf-buying" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:37528" rel="noopener">JAPAN DELTA I - The BOJ Ups ETF Buying</a> this meant the BOJ would lift its ETF buying rate from ¥6 trillion a year to ¥12 trillion a year, including ¥11.7 trillion of purchases of TOPIX, Nikkei 225, and JPX Nikkei 400 ETFs.</p><p>In the six weeks since then, the BOJ has purchased ¥2.0038 trillion in ETFs, and has lifted its 3-month annualised purchase rate from ¥4.8trln as of the end of February to ¥13.5trln as of the end of last week. This stretches the concept of "upper limit on annualised purchases" but the BOJ has not shown reticence to buy on weakness. </p><p>An update below.</p>

The BOJ lifted its daily ETF purchase rate on 2 March to a then-record ¥100bn in response to market weakness the previous week and Monday morning in Asia time. Two weeks later, true global central bank easing activity was launched. On 16 March, the BOJ announced Enhancement of Monetary Easing in Light of the Impact of the Outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).As discussed in JAPAN DELTA I - The BOJ Ups ETF Buying this meant the BOJ would lift its ETF buying rate from ¥6 trillion a year to ¥12 trillion a year, including ¥11.7 trillion of purchases of TOPIX, Nikkei 225, and JPX Nikkei 400 ETFs.In the six weeks since then, the BOJ has purchased ¥2.0038 trillion in ETFs, and has lifted its 3-month annualised purchase rate from ¥4.8trln as of the end of February to ¥13.5trln as of the end of last week. This stretches the concept of "upper limit on annualised purchases" but the BOJ has not shown reticence to buy on weakness. An update below.

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

<div><p>The short notional in the market for the data released 31 March is US$33.19bn (down by US$60mm excluding FX movements and ETFs) with the largest short positions in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyota-motor-corp" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:73:1">Toyota Motor (7203 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1">Shiseido Co Ltd (4911 JP)</a>. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiyo-yuden-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9924:1"></a></p></div><div><p>Most shorted stocks as a percentage of free float are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anritsu-corp" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3700:1">Anritsu Corp (6754 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aruhi-corp" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26072:1">Aruhi Corp (7198 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiyo-yuden-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9924:1">Taiyo Yuden (6976 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/leopalace21-corp" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8244:1">Leopalace21 Corp (8848 JP)</a> <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokai-carbon-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9145:1"></a>while the stocks with the highest days to cover are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nitta-gelatin-inc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1481:1">Nitta Gelatin (4977 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vital-ksk-holdings-inc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7398:1">Vital Ksk Holdings (3151 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/j-trust-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20246:1">J Trust Co Ltd (8508 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/katakura-industries-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2007:1">Katakura Industries (3001 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a>. </p></div><div><p>The largest increases in short notional over the week were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1">Shiseido Co Ltd (4911 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sbi-holdings-inc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10928:1">Sbi Holdings (8473 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-airport-terminal-co" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18034:1">Japan Airport Terminal Co (9706 JP)</a> while shorts were covered in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electron-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:280:1">Tokyo Electron (8035 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nitto-denko-corp" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3666:1">Nitto Denko (6988 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-heavy-industries-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5439:1">Subaru Corp (7270 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kikkoman-corp" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11720:1">Kikkoman Corp (2801 JP)</a>.   <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokai-carbon-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9145:1"></a></p></div><div><p>Sectorally, short positions increased in Consumer Discretionary (US$242m), Industrials (US$29m) and Financials (US$23m) while shorts decreased in Information Technology (US$229m) and Materials (US$72m).</p></div>

The short notional in the market for the data released 31 March is US$33.19bn (down by US$60mm excluding FX movements and ETFs) with the largest short positions in Fast Retailing (9983 JP), Itochu Corp (8001 JP), Toyota Motor (7203 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP) and Shiseido Co Ltd (4911 JP). Most shorted stocks as a percentage of free float are Anritsu Corp (6754 JP), Aruhi Corp (7198 JP), Taiyo Yuden (6976 JP) and Leopalace21 Corp (8848 JP) while the stocks with the highest days to cover are Nitta Gelatin (4977 JP), Vital Ksk Holdings (3151 JP), J Trust Co Ltd (8508 JP), Katakura Industries (3001 JP) and Itochu Corp (8001 JP). The largest increases in short notional over the week were Fast Retailing (9983 JP), Shiseido Co Ltd (4911 JP), Sbi Holdings (8473 JP) and Japan Airport Terminal Co (9706 JP) while shorts were covered in Tokyo Electron (8035 JP), Nitto Denko (6988 JP), Subaru Corp (7270 JP) and Kikkoman Corp (2801 JP).   Sectorally, short positions increased in Consumer Discretionary (US$242m), Industrials (US$29m) and Financials (US$23m) while shorts decreased in Information Technology (US$229m) and Materials (US$72m).

Huge Increase in Shorts on Nikkei225 & Topix ETFs

<p>In the past 4 weeks we have seen substantial disruption in global markets. Total equity market cap across the world is down tens of trillions of dollars, credit spreads exploded, 'risk-free' rate curves steepened dramatically, investment funds blew up, the very structure of money markets was briefly in question. Central banks around the world have acted in coordinated fashion to stem the tide of panic. The US Fed has stepped in with QE Forever, providing trillions of dollars of balance sheet and funding to stabilise systemic risk, and governments have announced trillions of dollars of stimulus packages to try to cushion economies from short-term restrictive social policies meant to stem the slow the spread of COVID-19 and lessen long-term economic damage from loss of life and work.</p><p><em>Amidst this, the Nikkei 225/TOPIX ratio has gone through something of a rough patch. </em></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/125/379/original/Screenshot%202020-03-29%20at%206.18.38%20PM.png?1585477145" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="125379"></figure><p></p><p>There is (obviously) a <em>forest-for-the-trees</em> argument to be made here. I'll stipulate that. But investors are expected to do their job come inclement weather, global pestilence, pandemic, or war - that is their job as stewards. Right now, an enormous part of that is second-guessing what <em>other</em> investors will do. </p><p>This insight is a walk through the conditions which enabled and perhaps prompted the wild swings in some of the major constituents in Nikkei 225 and what caused the major swings in Nikkei vs. TOPIX. </p>

In the past 4 weeks we have seen substantial disruption in global markets. Total equity market cap across the world is down tens of trillions of dollars, credit spreads exploded, 'risk-free' rate curves steepened dramatically, investment funds blew up, the very structure of money markets was briefly in question. Central banks around the world have acted in coordinated fashion to stem the tide of panic. The US Fed has stepped in with QE Forever, providing trillions of dollars of balance sheet and funding to stabilise systemic risk, and governments have announced trillions of dollars of stimulus packages to try to cushion economies from short-term restrictive social policies meant to stem the slow the spread of COVID-19 and lessen long-term economic damage from loss of life and work.Amidst this, the Nikkei 225/TOPIX ratio has gone through something of a rough patch. There is (obviously) a forest-for-the-trees argument to be made here. I'll stipulate that. But investors are expected to do their job come inclement weather, global pestilence, pandemic, or war - that is their job as stewards. Right now, an enormous part of that is second-guessing what other investors will do. This insight is a walk through the conditions which enabled and perhaps prompted the wild swings in some of the major constituents in Nikkei 225 and what caused the major swings in Nikkei vs. TOPIX. 

Breaking Down Wild Nikkei 225 Component Moves

Japan

NITTO DENKO CORPORATION manufactures and markets a wide range of chemical products which are used as materials for industrial and electronic components. The Company's products include materials for sealants, semiconductors, and wrappings.  Nitto Denko has a network of sales/manufacturing subsidiaries worldwide.

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Nitto Denko (6988 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN MARKET UPDATE 18th May - "Worsening"

"WORSENING" - The Cabinet Office updated their Business Condition Leading Indicator for March this week, confirming the trend already apparent from...

Campbell Gunn

BOJ ETF Buying Composition Clarified

Three days ago I wrote BOJ ETF Buying Update which described the impact of the BOJ buying ETFs on the underlying constituents. This morning, the...

Travis Lundy

BOJ ETF Buying Update

The BOJ lifted its daily ETF purchase rate on 2 March to a then-record ¥100bn in response to market weakness the previous week and Monday morning...

Travis Lundy

Huge Increase in Shorts on Nikkei225 & Topix ETFs

The short notional in the market for the data released 31 March is US$33.19bn (down by US$60mm excluding FX movements and ETFs) with the largest...

Brian Freitas

Breaking Down Wild Nikkei 225 Component Moves

In the past 4 weeks we have seen substantial disruption in global markets. Total equity market cap across the world is down tens of trillions of...

Travis Lundy

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