Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
 Strong Q2 beat: Revenue rose 14% YoY and OP jumped 33%, driven by Japan strength and solid winter sales, offsetting China’s continued weakness.</li>
<li>
 Guidance tweak: FY business profit raised to ¥540bn, though H2 expectations effectively lowered due to anticipated US tariff impact.</li>
<li>
 US expansion continues: 69 stores now open; North America accounts for 7.5% of sales, with future margin mitigation via supply chain shifts and EU/Asia growth.</li>
</ul>



 Strong Q2 beat: Revenue rose 14% YoY and OP jumped 33%, driven by Japan strength and solid winter sales, offsetting China’s continued weakness.

 Guidance tweak: FY business profit raised to ¥540bn, though H2 expectations effectively lowered due to anticipated US tariff impact.

 US expansion continues: 69 stores now open; North America accounts for 7.5% of sales, with future margin mitigation via supply chain shifts and EU/Asia growth.


Fast Retailing (9983) | Japan Delivers as Tariffs Start to Impact

<ul>
<li>Fast Retailing (9983 JP)  is set to report its second-quarter results on April 10, and we see an opportunity to buy ahead of a strong earnings release</li>
<li>We expect Fast Retailing to post Q2 sales of ¥905bn (+15% YoY), above consensus estimates of ¥881bn. EBIT projected at ¥133bn (+21% YoY), ahead of street expectations of ¥125bn.</li>
<li>Domestic Uniqlo monthly sales and quarterly results from global peers suggest strong sales momentum. </li>
</ul>


Fast Retailing (9983 JP)  is set to report its second-quarter results on April 10, and we see an opportunity to buy ahead of a strong earnings release
We expect Fast Retailing to post Q2 sales of ¥905bn (+15% YoY), above consensus estimates of ¥881bn. EBIT projected at ¥133bn (+21% YoY), ahead of street expectations of ¥125bn.
Domestic Uniqlo monthly sales and quarterly results from global peers suggest strong sales momentum. 


Fast Retailing (9983) | Buying Opportunity Ahead of Q2 Results

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>It was confirmed on Friday afternoon <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> was a single cap move, NOT a double-capping in a single Review. That limits the sell down.</li>
<li>Chemist Warehouse's reverse buyout of pharmacy wholesaler <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sigma-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15966:1" rel="noopener">Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU)</a> is now all-but complete.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeda-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11747:1" rel="noopener">Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)</a> announced decent results, decently upgraded guidance in both IFRS/GAAP terms and in Core/Adjusted terms (less impressive uplift in Adjusted/Analysed terms). They also announced a ¥100bn buyback.</li>
</ul>


It was confirmed on Friday afternoon Fast Retailing (9983 JP) was a single cap move, NOT a double-capping in a single Review. That limits the sell down.
Chemist Warehouse's reverse buyout of pharmacy wholesaler Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) is now all-but complete.

Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP) announced decent results, decently upgraded guidance in both IFRS/GAAP terms and in Core/Adjusted terms (less impressive uplift in Adjusted/Analysed terms). They also announced a ¥100bn buyback.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Fast Retailing, Sigma, Takeda Pharmaceutical, WH Group

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

<ul>
<li>With 3 days left in the review period, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> has a 11.29% weight in 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>. That means double capping in March.</li>
<li>If <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> underperforms the other index stocks by 1.8% from now to the close on 31 January, there will only be a single level of capping.</li>
<li>Double capping will result in big selling on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a> and big inflows into the other index constituents. Smaller impact for single level capping.</li>
</ul>


With 3 days left in the review period, Fast Retailing (9983 JP) has a 11.29% weight in the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX). That means double capping in March.
If Fast Retailing (9983 JP) underperforms the other index stocks by 1.8% from now to the close on 31 January, there will only be a single level of capping.
Double capping will result in big selling on Fast Retailing (9983 JP) and big inflows into the other index constituents. Smaller impact for single level capping.


Fast Retailing (9983 JP): Double Capping & The Reverse Funding Trade

Travis Lundy

<ul>
<li>Unless Fast Retailing (9983) underperforms Nikkei 225 by 10% by Friday close, there will be a capping exercise at the next Nikkei 225 Rebalance at the end of March 2025.</li>
<li>The evolution of tech stock movement in Japan in the next day or three is important to watch. There will be effects.</li>
<li>The setup very near-term could be pretty interesting, and worth watching.</li>
</ul>


Unless Fast Retailing (9983) underperforms Nikkei 225 by 10% by Friday close, there will be a capping exercise at the next Nikkei 225 Rebalance at the end of March 2025.
The evolution of tech stock movement in Japan in the next day or three is important to watch. There will be effects.
The setup very near-term could be pretty interesting, and worth watching.


Fast Retailing (9983) Capping Decision This Week - Single or Double Dose?

Japan

FAST RETAILING CO., LTD. operates a chain of clothing stores, UNIQLO, throughout Japan and in other markets overseas including UK, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, US, France, Singapore and Russia.  The Company designs, manufactures, and retails its own line of casual clothing.

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Fast Retailing (9983 JP)

Fast Retailing (9983) | Japan Delivers as Tariffs Start to Impact

Strong Q2 beat with revenue up 14% YoY and OP up 33%, driven by Japan strength and solid winter sales, offsetting China weakness. Guidance raised...

Mark Chadwick

Fast Retailing (9983) | Buying Opportunity Ahead of Q2 Results

US tariffs will negatively impact Fast's margins and demand looking out over the next 6-12 months, but less than peers like Nintendo or Toyota....

Mark Chadwick

Last Week in Event SPACE: Fast Retailing, Sigma, Takeda Pharmaceutical, WH Group

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett