'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)

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/203/original/2020-11-17_12-24-48.png?1605583510" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172203"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>BRIGHTER, LATER</strong> - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by ¥1.2 trillion. As a result, the market's forward multiple is unchanged at 31 times, despite a 7% rise in market capitalisation. Although this 'season' was the best in two years in terms of forecast profits, trailing earnings are still falling, by almost ¥3 trillion in the case of operating income. Much of the market optimism rests on a Japan experiencing a mild COVID winter and the impact of the incoming Biden administration's policy pronouncements on the US dollar. </p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/219/original/2020-11-17_13-33-54.png?1605587647" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172219"></figure></section><p><strong>5.2% TTM OPERATING MARGINS</strong> - Aggregate Operating Income has declined by a third year-on-year on a 10% decline in revenues. The good news is that the pace of decline is slowing. Nevertheless, all of the Abe-era gains in earnings have now been unwound.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/230/original/2020-11-17_13-47-49.png?1605588488" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172230"></figure><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/394/original/2020-11-18_07-24-55.png?1605651921" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172394"></figure></section><p><strong>4.8% FORECAST OPERATING MARGINS</strong> - Operating margins are forecast to contract further over the next five months to 4.8%. Forecast revenues and operating income are both 3% lower than three months ago, the slowest rate of attrition in three quarters. The current market euphoria, which has taken total capitalisation to within 3% of the pre-COVID high is implying that the next 'print' of this data series, will be positive.    </p></section><section class="figure"></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/256/original/2020-11-17_14-22-29.png?1605590564" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172256"></figure></section><p><strong>POSITIVE MOMENTUM</strong> - The sharp recovery in earnings momentum, which the market has been discounting is now materialising. Our Forecast/Revision Score has returned to March levels while the trailing Results Score has bottomed out well above the low of 2009. </p>
<section class="figure"><section class="figure"></section><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we shall review the actual results and initial and revised forecasts by Sector and highlight the best and worst-performing companies by one-quarter revenue and margin changes. </p></div></section></section>

Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics
BRIGHTER, LATER - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by ¥1.2 trillion. As a result, the market's forward multiple is unchanged at 31 times, despite a 7% rise in market capitalisation. Although this 'season' was the best in two years in terms of forecast profits, trailing earnings are still falling, by almost ¥3 trillion in the case of operating income. Much of the market optimism rests on a Japan experiencing a mild COVID winter and the impact of the incoming Biden administration's policy pronouncements on the US dollar. 
5.2% TTM OPERATING MARGINS - Aggregate Operating Income has declined by a third year-on-year on a 10% decline in revenues. The good news is that the pace of decline is slowing. Nevertheless, all of the Abe-era gains in earnings have now been unwound.
4.8% FORECAST OPERATING MARGINS - Operating margins are forecast to contract further over the next five months to 4.8%. Forecast revenues and operating income are both 3% lower than three months ago, the slowest rate of attrition in three quarters. The current market euphoria, which has taken total capitalisation to within 3% of the pre-COVID high is implying that the next 'print' of this data series, will be positive.    POSITIVE MOMENTUM - The sharp recovery in earnings momentum, which the market has been discounting is now materialising. Our Forecast/Revision Score has returned to March levels while the trailing Results Score has bottomed out well above the low of 2009. 
In the DETAIL section below, we shall review the actual results and initial and revised forecasts by Sector and highlight the best and worst-performing companies by one-quarter revenue and margin changes. 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Autumn 2020 Results & Revisions Review

<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p></div><div>
<p style="text-align: left;">Wednesday's best and worst pairing is from the same corporate grouping - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gmo-payment-gateway-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1492:1" rel="noopener">GMO Payment Gateway (3769 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gmo-internet-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13631:1" rel="noopener">GMO Internet (9449 JP)</a> and highlights the risks of investing in the latter to 'access' growth in the former.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/170/925/original/2020-11-12_06-02-15.png?1605128549" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="170925"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/170/926/original/2020-11-12_06-02-54.png?1605128586" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="170926"></figure></section><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></div>
<hr>
<div style="text-align: center;"><p><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p></div>
<hr>
<div style="text-align: center;"><p><strong>227 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Results Score:</strong> 42% Positive / 11% Neutral / 47% Negative</p></li>
<li><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Average Results Score Change:</strong> -1.0 points</p></li>
<li><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -7.6% Quarter YoY / -5.0% Rolling TTM YoY </p></li>
<li><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -1.3 ppt</p></li>
<li><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 20%</p></li>
</ul></div>
<hr>
<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>107 Annual • 18 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div>
<div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 43% Positive / 9% Neutral / 48% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 50% Positive / 6% Neutral / 44% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -1.5 points</p></li>
</ul></div>
</div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •
Wednesday's best and worst pairing is from the same corporate grouping - GMO Payment Gateway (3769 JP) and GMO Internet (9449 JP) and highlights the risks of investing in the latter to 'access' growth in the former.
Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics

DAILY STATS

227 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 42% Positive / 11% Neutral / 47% Negative
Average Results Score Change: -1.0 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -7.6% Quarter YoY / -5.0% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.3 ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 20%


107 Annual • 18 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 43% Positive / 9% Neutral / 48% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 50% Positive / 6% Neutral / 44% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -1.5 points



🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​11 - Mitsubishi Estate, Toshiba, GMOs

<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p></div><p>Thursday's best and worst pairing is herbal medicine specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsumura-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8042:1" rel="noopener">Tsumura (4540 JP)</a> and our'Suga Short' recommendation <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsui-fudosan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:565:1" rel="noopener">Mitsui Fudosan (8801 JP)</a>. </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/169/602/original/2020-11-04_06-51-11.png?1604607954" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="169602"></figure><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/169/603/original/2020-11-06_05-26-57.png?1604608032" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="169603"></figure></section><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></section><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>198 Quarterly Results</strong></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Results Score:</strong> 43% Positive / 10% Neutral / 47% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Results Score Change:</strong> -0.7 points</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -9.0% Quarter YoY / -7.0% Rolling TTM YoY </p></li>
<li><p>A<strong>verage Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -1.9ppt</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 22%</p></li>
</ul><hr><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>109 Annual • 29 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 46% Positive / 5% Neutral / 49% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 38% Positive / 7% Neutral / 55% Negative</p></li>
<li><p>Aver<strong>age Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -1.8 points</p></li>
</ul>

• BEST &amp; WORST •Thursday's best and worst pairing is herbal medicine specialist Tsumura (4540 JP) and our'Suga Short' recommendation Mitsui Fudosan (8801 JP). Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsDAILY STATS198 Quarterly Results
Results Score: 43% Positive / 10% Neutral / 47% Negative
Average Results Score Change: -0.7 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -9.0% Quarter YoY / -7.0% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.9ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 22%
109 Annual • 29 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 46% Positive / 5% Neutral / 49% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 38% Positive / 7% Neutral / 55% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -1.8 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​05 Tsumura, Sysmex, Terumo, Nintendo, MRE

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/162/891/original/2020-10-01_13-26-50.png?1601526452" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="162891"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables unless otherwise stated: Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>SHORT TENURE</strong> - Since 1979 the average prime ministerial tenure in Japan has been 750 days. Excluding the three longest-serving Prime Ministers of the last forty years - Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2 - the average is 494 days. The equity market has favoured long-serving Liberal Democratic Party government (marked in light green above) and disliked periods of coalition or opposition (<span title="Japanese language text">野党</span> y<em>atō)</em> government and also tenures of less than eighteen months.</p>
<p><strong>PM SUGA</strong> - Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide succeeded former Prime Minister Abe on 16th September the latter having stepped down for health reasons. Suga had served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (<span title="Japanese language text">内閣官房長官</span>,<em> Naikaku-kanbō-chōkan</em>) for all of Abe's premiership. The continuity offered by Suga's elevation provides Japan with the prospect of an extended period of political stability. From his policy statements made during the brief prime-ministerial election campaign, Suga has bold aims for challenging Japan's economic and social ills. Given his previous role and mastery of the balance between political necessities and bureaucratic realities, the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy and stock market.</p>
<hr>
<p style="text-align: center;">In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> below, we shall cover the following topics:-</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>I: SUGA's BACKGROUND &amp; POLITICAL CAREER</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>II: POLICY PRIORITIES</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Defence &amp; Foreign Policy</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Economic Policy</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Administrative Reform</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Digital Agency</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Telecommunications Services</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Birth-rate and Fertility Treatment</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Regional Revitalisation &amp; Regional Bank Reform</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">SME restructuring</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Carbon Neutrality &amp; A Nuclear Renaissance</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>III: SUGA STOCKS RECOMMENDATIONS</strong></p>
<hr>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>WHAT'S ORIGINAL? - </strong>This Insight reviews the implications of PM Suga's policy platform for specific sectors and stocks in the Japanse equity market and concludes with five long and five short recommendations for large-cap growth and value-orientated portfolios.  </p>
<hr>
<blockquote class="">
<p><strong>"Self-help, mutual help, public help, and "kizuna" (bonds) is our vision for society. With that in mind, we firmly believe, overcoming various issues, such as regional revitalization and the shrinking population, as well as the declining birth-rate and aging society, will create dynamism in Japan. To this end, we will meet the people's expectations by giving birth to a "Cabinet that works for the People," which gives its all to advance regulatory reforms without being constrained by the vested interests of the stakeholders, tearing down bureaucratic sectionalism and the notorious habit of following past precedents.</strong></p>
<h3>Statement of the Prime Minister</h3>
<p><strong>September 16th, 2020</strong></p>
</blockquote>


Source for all charts &amp; tables unless otherwise stated: Japan Analytics
SHORT TENURE - Since 1979 the average prime ministerial tenure in Japan has been 750 days. Excluding the three longest-serving Prime Ministers of the last forty years - Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2 - the average is 494 days. The equity market has favoured long-serving Liberal Democratic Party government (marked in light green above) and disliked periods of coalition or opposition (野党 yatō) government and also tenures of less than eighteen months.
PM SUGA - Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide succeeded former Prime Minister Abe on 16th September the latter having stepped down for health reasons. Suga had served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (内閣官房長官, Naikaku-kanbō-chōkan) for all of Abe's premiership. The continuity offered by Suga's elevation provides Japan with the prospect of an extended period of political stability. From his policy statements made during the brief prime-ministerial election campaign, Suga has bold aims for challenging Japan's economic and social ills. Given his previous role and mastery of the balance between political necessities and bureaucratic realities, the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy and stock market.

In the DETAIL below, we shall cover the following topics:-
I: SUGA's BACKGROUND &amp; POLITICAL CAREER
II: POLICY PRIORITIES
Defence &amp; Foreign Policy
Economic Policy
Administrative Reform
The Digital Agency
Telecommunications Services
Birth-rate and Fertility Treatment
Regional Revitalisation &amp; Regional Bank Reform
SME restructuring
Carbon Neutrality &amp; A Nuclear Renaissance
III: SUGA STOCKS RECOMMENDATIONS

WHAT'S ORIGINAL? - This Insight reviews the implications of PM Suga's policy platform for specific sectors and stocks in the Japanse equity market and concludes with five long and five short recommendations for large-cap growth and value-orientated portfolios.  


"Self-help, mutual help, public help, and "kizuna" (bonds) is our vision for society. With that in mind, we firmly believe, overcoming various issues, such as regional revitalization and the shrinking population, as well as the declining birth-rate and aging society, will create dynamism in Japan. To this end, we will meet the people's expectations by giving birth to a "Cabinet that works for the People," which gives its all to advance regulatory reforms without being constrained by the vested interests of the stakeholders, tearing down bureaucratic sectionalism and the notorious habit of following past precedents.
Statement of the Prime Minister
September 16th, 2020


🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Nippon Building Fund / Equity Capital Markets

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-building-fund-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1900:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Building Fund (8951 JP)</a> aims to raise around US$1.2bn (JPY127bn) in order to part fund its purchase of two assets.</p><p>This will be one of the largest JREIT placement that we have seen over the past few years. In addition, the stock hasn't been doing too well this year.</p><p>In this insight, I'll talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework.</p>

Nippon Building Fund (8951 JP) aims to raise around US$1.2bn (JPY127bn) in order to part fund its purchase of two assets.This will be one of the largest JREIT placement that we have seen over the past few years. In addition, the stock hasn't been doing too well this year.In this insight, I'll talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework.

Nippon Building Fund Placement - Needs to Correct Some More Given the Weak Sentiment

Japan

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. provides overall real estate services such as leasing, subdivision, construction, sales, and maintenance of office buildings and residential houses.  The Company also manufactures building materials, operates commercial facilities including hotels and golf places, and provides financial services such as securitization of real estate properties.

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

Mitsui Fudosan (8801 JP)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Autumn 2020 Results & Revisions Review

BRIGHTER, LATER - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/11 - Mitsubishi Estate, Toshiba, GMOs

Wednesday's best and worst pairing is from the same corporate grouping - GMO PG and GMO Internet and highlights the risks of investing in the...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/05 Tsumura, Sysmex, Terumo, Nintendo, MRE

• BEST & WORST • Thursday's best and worst pairing is herbal medicine specialist Tsumura (4540 JP) and our'Suga Short' recommendation Mitsui...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

We believe the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy...

Campbell Gunn

Nippon Building Fund Placement - Needs to Correct Some More Given the Weak Sentiment

Nippon Building Fund (8951 JP) aims to raise over US$1.2bn in order to part fund its purchase of two office assets in Tokyo

Sumeet Singh

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Autumn 2020 Results & Revisions Review

BRIGHTER, LATER - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​11 - Mitsubishi Estate, Toshiba, GMOs

Wednesday's best and worst pairing is from the same corporate grouping - GMO PG and GMO Internet and highlights the risks of investing in the...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​05 Tsumura, Sysmex, Terumo, Nintendo, MRE

• BEST & WORST • Thursday's best and worst pairing is herbal medicine specialist Tsumura (4540 JP) and our'Suga Short' recommendation Mitsui...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

We believe the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy...

Campbell Gunn

Nippon Building Fund Placement - Needs to Correct Some More Given the Weak Sentiment

Nippon Building Fund (8951 JP) aims to raise over US$1.2bn in order to part fund its purchase of two office assets in Tokyo

Sumeet Singh

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/11 - Mitsubishi Estate, Toshiba, GMOs

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/05 Tsumura, Sysmex, Terumo, Nintendo, MRE