Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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>With discounting delayed, <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)'s</a> 3QFY22 was a surprise to the upside as its OP grew 36.5% YoY to ¥81.8bn (consensus:¥65.8bn) to exceed the pre-COVID level by 9.7%.</li>
<li>Nevertheless, the upside seems limited in the short-term, with shares already trading at a stretched valuation of 22.2x consensus FY+2 OP, compared to the historical median of 15.5x.</li>
<li>At around ¥290.0bn FY+1 OP, a fair price should be somewhere around ¥58,000-60,000, which implies a downside of around 25%.</li>
</ul>


With discounting delayed, Fast Retailing (9983 JP)'s 3QFY22 was a surprise to the upside as its OP grew 36.5% YoY to ¥81.8bn (consensus:¥65.8bn) to exceed the pre-COVID level by 9.7%.
Nevertheless, the upside seems limited in the short-term, with shares already trading at a stretched valuation of 22.2x consensus FY+2 OP, compared to the historical median of 15.5x.
At around ¥290.0bn FY+1 OP, a fair price should be somewhere around ¥58,000-60,000, which implies a downside of around 25%.


Fast Retailing: Guidance Upgraded, Yet The Upside Seems Limited Due to Stretched Valuations

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Berkshire appears set to exit <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> partially or in full. But why signal to market well in advance?</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-tractors-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:698:1" rel="noopener">United Tractors (UNTR IJ)</a>'s buyback should be impactful. They could do another one afterwards as they have lots of cash. This is a raging buy. Buy now. With both hands.</li>
<li>The BOJ was expected to change its ETF allocations. It stopped buying Nikkei 225 and JPX Nikkei 400 ETFs. As the world moves more to passive, expect float to decrease.</li>
</ul>


Berkshire appears set to exit BYD (1211 HK) partially or in full. But why signal to market well in advance?

United Tractors (UNTR IJ)'s buyback should be impactful. They could do another one afterwards as they have lots of cash. This is a raging buy. Buy now. With both hands.
The BOJ was expected to change its ETF allocations. It stopped buying Nikkei 225 and JPX Nikkei 400 ETFs. As the world moves more to passive, expect float to decrease.


Last Week in Event SPACE: BYD, Astra/United Tractor, Japan Passive, AGL, Genting Singapore

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>We share weekly commentaries on stocks in our coverage that had a good or bad week </li>
<li>Fast Retailing was the standout performer, trading up 11% this week</li>
<li>Wooden spoons for Money Forward and Yaskawa, both lower after reporting earnings</li>
</ul>


We share weekly commentaries on stocks in our coverage that had a good or bad week 
Fast Retailing was the standout performer, trading up 11% this week
Wooden spoons for Money Forward and Yaskawa, both lower after reporting earnings


Japan Stock Commentary | Uniqlo, Yaskawa and Money Forward

Travis Lundy

NTT (Nippon Telegraph & Telephone) / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>2022 Version of JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What? where we break down the major (and minor) passive tracking indices and which category of investor owns how much of each. </li>
<li>Even if you do not "play" index changes, understanding impact is important. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-exchange-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11266:1" rel="noopener">Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP)</a> entered Nikkei 225 in July 2020 after rising 30%. That was the top.</li>
<li>Understanding the nature of the ownership and flows is crucial to understanding how to trade certain stocks. </li>
</ul>


2022 Version of JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What? where we break down the major (and minor) passive tracking indices and which category of investor owns how much of each. 
Even if you do not "play" index changes, understanding impact is important. Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP) entered Nikkei 225 in July 2020 after rising 30%. That was the top.
Understanding the nature of the ownership and flows is crucial to understanding how to trade certain stocks. 


<ul>
<li>We turn bullish on Fast Retail as the current quarter marks the bottom for China sales</li>
<li>The company continues to surprise in its mastery of gross margins and operating costs</li>
<li>China is key, but the US is emerging as a new (and profitable) growth driver</li>
</ul>


We turn bullish on Fast Retail as the current quarter marks the bottom for China sales
The company continues to surprise in its mastery of gross margins and operating costs
China is key, but the US is emerging as a new (and profitable) growth driver


Fast Retailing (9983) | Time to Ditch the Shorts

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: Guidance Upgraded, Yet The Upside Seems Limited Due to Stretched Valuations

Fast Retailing’s share price rallied 8.7% on Friday, following a significant earnings beat in 3QFY22 which prompted the company to raise its annual...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Last Week in Event SPACE: BYD, Astra/United Tractor, Japan Passive, AGL, Genting Singapore

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

Japan Stock Commentary | Uniqlo, Yaskawa and Money Forward

We share our weekly commentaries on stocks in our coverage universe that have appreciated or dropped by a significant amount during the course of...

Mark Chadwick

JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What 2022?

JAPAN PASSIVE: Who Owns What 2022 Version. This is a mark to market of the passive tracking data from domestic and international investors in...

Travis Lundy

Fast Retailing (9983) | Time to Ditch the Shorts

We turn bullish on Fast Retail as the current quarter marks the bottom for China sales. The US is emerging as another growth driver. Valuations...

Mark Chadwick

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