Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Expect some upset on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sbi-shinsei-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16897:1" rel="noopener">SBI Shinsei Bank (8303 JP)</a>'s Offer, the possibility of some activism, but it all plays out in the back end. Not the front end.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten (4755 JP)</a> is doing a large equity offering to get the monkey off its back with regard to over-leverage, near-term debt refinancing, and WC for Rakuten Mobile.</li>
<li>Fund manager <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-everbright-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:167:1" rel="noopener">China Everbright (165 HK)</a>'s implied stub and simple ratio (CEL / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/everbright-securitie-co-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15343:1" rel="noopener">Everbright Securities Co (A) (601788 CH)</a>) are at multi-year lows.</li>
</ul>


Expect some upset on SBI Shinsei Bank (8303 JP)'s Offer, the possibility of some activism, but it all plays out in the back end. Not the front end.

Rakuten (4755 JP) is doing a large equity offering to get the monkey off its back with regard to over-leverage, near-term debt refinancing, and WC for Rakuten Mobile.
Fund manager China Everbright (165 HK)'s implied stub and simple ratio (CEL / Everbright Securities Co (A) (601788 CH)) are at multi-year lows.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Shinsei Bank, China Everbright, Rakuten, Sony Corp

Travis Lundy

<ul>
<li>Canon has conducted 18 buybacks in the last 15 years. Every single one has been the same size. And the parameter-setting and how they are executed is... particular.</li>
<li>For those with Canon to execute, using the information about patterns may be helpful. </li>
<li>For those interested in a trade, there may be one here.</li>
</ul>


Canon has conducted 18 buybacks in the last 15 years. Every single one has been the same size. And the parameter-setting and how they are executed is... particular.
For those with Canon to execute, using the information about patterns may be helpful. 
For those interested in a trade, there may be one here.


Canon Buyback - 18th in a Row at the Same Size, But This Time With a Running Head Start

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!

Japan

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation develops, sells and services Imaging, Information, and Document Solutions.  Its products include color films, digital cameras, photofinishing products and equipment.  The Group also manufactures medical and graphic art use equipment and materials, FPD materials, and optical devices, and provides services on office copy machines, printers, and related equipment.

NEC Corporation manufactures and markets computers, telecommunication equipment, electronic devices, semiconductors, and software.  The Company's products include printers, modems, cellular phones, plasma display panels (PDP), network systems, memory, integrated circuits (IC), thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), and printed circuit boards (PCB). NEC operates worldwide.

BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD. manufactures and markets communications and office equipment.  The Company's main products include facsimiles, digital copy machines, label printers, and word processors.  Brother Industries also manufactures and sells sewing machines and other tools.  The Company operates its business worldwide.

RICOH COMPANY, LTD. manufactures and markets office automation equipment, electronic devices, and photographic instruments.  The Company's diverse product line includes facsimiles, image scanners, printers, digital cameras, and personal computers, as well as a full range of analog, digital, and color copiers. Ricoh operates with a network of sales offices and tie-ups worldwide.

Seiko Epson Corporation manufactures communications equipment, electronic devices, and precision products.  The Company's products include printers, scanners, Liquid Crystal Projectors, semiconductors, quartz devices, and watches.

Konica Minolta Inc is mainly engaged in manufacturing office equipment and performance materials. It also operates health care businesses. The Company also makes copiers, personal computer peripherals, optical lenses, and measuring instruments.

Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. manufactures various photo processors.  The Company specializes in high-speed mini-photo processing lab systems.  Noritsu Koki also produces OEM (original equipment manufacturer) supply for Kodak and Konica.

MCJ Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets personal computers and its related products.  The Company provides desktop and laptop computers, computer memories, printers, and hard drives.

TOSHIBA TEC CORPORATION manufactures electronic equipment for distribution system, document processing, and household use.  The Company's products include Point of Sale (POS) systems, bar code scanners, copy machines, printers, and vacuum cleaners.

ELECOM CO., LTD. designs, manufactures, and markets computer peripherals, supplies, and accessories.  The Company offers a diverse range of products including adapters, cables, switches, local area network (LAN) devices, paper, keyboard covers, and chairs.

Western Digital Corporation is a global provider of solutions for the collection, storage, management, protection and use of digital content, including audio and video. The Company's products include hard drives, solid-state drives, and home entertainment and networking products.

Quanta Computer Inc. manufactures and markets notebook computers and related peripheral equipment.

HP Inc. provides imaging and printing systems, computing systems, mobile devices, solutions, and services for business and home. The Company offers products which includes laser and inkjet printers, scanners, copiers and faxes, personal computers, workstations, storage solutions, and other computing and printing systems. HP sells its products worldwide.

Advantech Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets embedded personal computers (PC), network computing products, industrial automation products, and panel PCs.

Seagate Technology Holdings Public Limited Company offers computer hardware products. The Company designs, manufactures, and markets hard disk drives for enterprise applications, client compute applications, client non-compute applications, personal data backup systems, portable external storage systems and digital media systems.

Asustek Computer Inc. manufactures and markets computer motherboards, interface cards, notebook computers, and other related products.

Lenovo Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, sells, and manufactures personal computers and handheld devices. The Company also provides Internet services and IT services, and contracting manufacturing business.

Focus Media Information Technology Co., Ltd. engages in media network for advertisements including within cinemas, posters and advertising displays in commercial offices or buildings.

Focus Media Information Technology Co, Ltd. (002027 CH)

Focus Media Information Technology Co, Ltd.

NetApp, Inc. provides storage and data management solutions. The Company's storage solutions include specialized hardware, software, and services that provide storage management for open network environments. NetApp  serves enterprises, government agencies, and universities worldwide.

BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. manufactures display products. The Company produces display panels, sensor devices, and other products. BOE Technology Group supplies its products in mobile phones, tablets, notebooks, monitors, and other fields.

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.

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

Canon Inc (7751 JP)

Last Week in Event SPACE: Shinsei Bank, China Everbright, Rakuten, Sony Corp

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 Buyback - 18th in a Row at the Same Size, But This Time With a Running Head Start

Canon (7751) reported salutary Q1 earnings, and revised up FY forecasts. The stock responded well vs Peers. Peers have since reported, but it...

Travis Lundy

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

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)