Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujifilm-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16353:1" rel="noopener"></a>Fujifilm delivered its 4Q and full-year FY03/2023 results today. Revenue and OP increased 15.0% and 63.2% YoY to ¥764.7bn (vs consensus ¥715.7bn) and ¥70.4bn (vs consensus ¥62.5bn) respectively.</li>
<li>The company’s full-year revenue and OP were above its own guidance as well as consensus, and we think <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujifilm-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16353:1" rel="noopener">FUJIFILM Holdings (4901 JP)</a> ’s guidance for FY03/2024E is too conservative.</li>
<li>The market continues to value Fujifilm as an imaging company and not in line with healthcare peers suggesting there is significant upside to the current valuation multiples.</li>
</ul>



Fujifilm delivered its 4Q and full-year FY03/2023 results today. Revenue and OP increased 15.0% and 63.2% YoY to ¥764.7bn (vs consensus ¥715.7bn) and ¥70.4bn (vs consensus ¥62.5bn) respectively.
The company’s full-year revenue and OP were above its own guidance as well as consensus, and we think FUJIFILM Holdings (4901 JP) ’s guidance for FY03/2024E is too conservative.
The market continues to value Fujifilm as an imaging company and not in line with healthcare peers suggesting there is significant upside to the current valuation multiples.


Fujifilm FQ4: Strong Earnings Beat and There's Further Upside

Executive Director, Metrical Inc

Aki Matsumoto

Executive Director

Independent Leading Corporate Governance Research

Metrical Inc

METRICAL INC. is an independent leading Corporate Governance research firm in Japan where Corporate Governance is increasingly recognized as an important element on corporate management in these days. Thus, CG research and solutions would become an essential component of global capital markets and play important to contribute to transparency of the markets and maximize shareholders’ value in Japan. 

METRICAL INC. provides Corporate Governance research and analysis including rating services, and  also offers investment research and IR services with solutions and customized profound research on CG and IR issues.

<ul>
<li>Underlying Canon's long-standing underperformance, which had frustrated shareholders, was the lack of diversity on the board, which gave domestic institutional investors an excuse to vote against re-election of inside directors.</li>
<li>Canon's voluntary Nominating Committee also has challenges: with Mr. Mitarai, CEO since 1995, chairing the NC, it's hard to imagine that discussions and decisions are conducted with objectivity and independence.</li>
<li>Although a female independent director might be hired at next AGM in response to the low approval rate for Mitarai's reappointment, it’s not expected to make any significant changes immediately.</li>
</ul>


Underlying Canon's long-standing underperformance, which had frustrated shareholders, was the lack of diversity on the board, which gave domestic institutional investors an excuse to vote against re-election of inside directors.
Canon's voluntary Nominating Committee also has challenges: with Mr. Mitarai, CEO since 1995, chairing the NC, it's hard to imagine that discussions and decisions are conducted with objectivity and independence.
Although a female independent director might be hired at next AGM in response to the low approval rate for Mitarai's reappointment, it’s not expected to make any significant changes immediately.


A Case Study of How Nothing Will Change Unless Management Changes

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS. SPX rose +0.4% lead by gains in Energy, which was well bid on OPEC+ surprise cut; ISM Manf  PMI print weaker; Rates retreat as US 2Yr dips below 4%</li>
<li>JAPAN. NKY Futs +0.1% vs Cash; USDJPY 132.4; BOJ Tankan reading points to weaker manufacturing; Potentially complicates BOJ exit; Activist ValueAct Presses Seven &amp; I </li>
<li>NUGGET. Watch FY3/24  Japan Total Payout Ratios - The Heat is On ! as JP Corporate significantly lags in Total Payout Ratios, while also sitting on ¥100 trn of cash.</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS. SPX rose +0.4% lead by gains in Energy, which was well bid on OPEC+ surprise cut; ISM Manf  PMI print weaker; Rates retreat as US 2Yr dips below 4%
JAPAN. NKY Futs +0.1% vs Cash; USDJPY 132.4; BOJ Tankan reading points to weaker manufacturing; Potentially complicates BOJ exit; Activist ValueAct Presses Seven &amp; I 
NUGGET. Watch FY3/24  Japan Total Payout Ratios - The Heat is On ! as JP Corporate significantly lags in Total Payout Ratios, while also sitting on ¥100 trn of cash.


Good Morning Japan |Energy Leads SPX to Gains; NUGGET: Watch FY3/24 JP Payout Ratios-The Heat Is On!

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-m-entertainment-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3500:1" rel="noopener">S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS)</a> is trading through the partial offer terms as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hybe-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28959:1" rel="noopener">HYBE (352820 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a> jostle for control.</li>
<li>The political noise around the Adani Group situation will continue to be significant. Part of India believes this is a hatchet job against PM Modi and the BJP.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/star-entertainment-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:926:1" rel="noopener">Star Entertainment Group (SGR AU)</a> is an extraordinarily toxic company. But just how much negative news is already baked into the share price?</li>
</ul>



S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS) is trading through the partial offer terms as HYBE (352820 KS) and Kakao Corp (035720 KS) jostle for control.
The political noise around the Adani Group situation will continue to be significant. Part of India believes this is a hatchet job against PM Modi and the BJP.

Star Entertainment Group (SGR AU) is an extraordinarily toxic company. But just how much negative news is already baked into the share price?


Last Week in Event SPACE: S.M.Entertainment, Adani Group, Star Entertainment, Dai Nippon, Citizen

Travis Lundy

<ul>
<li>Last week (on 10 February), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> announced it intended to delist its ADRs from the NYSE.</li>
<li>Canon is the third Japanese company to do so in two months, after <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eisai-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21001:1" rel="noopener">Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP)</a> announced in December and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/olympus-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:356:1" rel="noopener">Olympus Corp (7733 JP)</a> in January.</li>
<li>No related investment opportunity but there may be a trade to do.</li>
</ul>


Last week (on 10 February), Canon Inc (7751 JP) announced it intended to delist its ADRs from the NYSE.
Canon is the third Japanese company to do so in two months, after Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP) announced in December and Olympus Corp (7733 JP) in January.
No related investment opportunity but there may be a trade to do.


Canon ADR Cancellation - There May Be A Trade To Do

Japan

Canon Inc. is a professional and consumer imaging solutions company and patent-holder of digital imaging technologies. The Company's products include networked multifunction devices, digital and analog copiers, computer peripherals, facsimile machines, image filing systems, camcorders, cameras and lenses, semiconductor, and broadcast and medical equipment.

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Canon Inc (7751 JP)

Fujifilm FQ4: Strong Earnings Beat and There's Further Upside

Fujifilm's FQ4 earnings beat consensus by a huge margin. Market continues to value Fujifilm as an imaging services stock and not as a healthcare...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

A Case Study of How Nothing Will Change Unless Management Changes

I would like to discuss the issues on the April 5 Nikkei article, "Canon, Chairman Mitarai's Approval Ratio for Appointment to Board of Directors...

Metrical Inc

Good Morning Japan |Energy Leads SPX to Gains; NUGGET: Watch FY3/24 JP Payout Ratios-The Heat Is On!

Japan desires inflation, but not the cost input-driven type likely to result from OPEC+'s decision. Tankan manufacturing came in weaker...

Mark Chadwick

Last Week in Event SPACE: S.M.Entertainment, Adani Group, Star Entertainment, Dai Nippon, Citizen

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Canon ADR Cancellation - There May Be A Trade To Do

Canon has announced the cancellation of its ADR programme. Canon will inform the NYSE today, will file Form 25 on 24 Feb, and terminate the...

Travis Lundy

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