'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)

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/693/original/2020-09-14_09-50-37.png?1600044664" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158693"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables except as stated: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>EQUITY-DRIVEN</strong> - Japan's aggregate Shareholders' Equity has appreciated by 45% since 2014 - an annual rate of 5.5% and has been one of the key achievements of the 'Abe era'. For the five years before 2012, Shareholders Equity was unchanged, buffeted by the 2008/9 financial crisis and the 3/11.  Although the equity market has responded well to the change in reserves, Japan's PBR has remained within a range of 1.05 to 1.38 over the last decade and is unchanged compared to 2010. In prior post-bubble 'lost' decades, the average PBR was 1.8 times. In other markets, the rise of intangible assets has called the use of Book/Price as a metric and the S&amp;P 500 PBR is now almost three times that of the Japan aggregate having bottomed at 1.78 in March 2009.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/694/original/File%202020-09-14%2010%2007%2037.jpeg?1600045681" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158694"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: multpl.com</div><p><strong>BOOK VALUE PER SHARE </strong>- In this Insight, we shall look at Japan's larger-cap companies (current market value &gt;¥100 billion) through the 'lens' of book value per share. Our focus will be less on the 'winners' and 'losers' than on those companies that have seen the least change in 'BVPS' over the last seven years. Our share count excludes treasury shares which is to the benefit of companies such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-telegraph-telephone-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:623:1" rel="noopener">NTT (9432 JP)</a> which has seen a 20% reduction in Net Shares Outstanding, but only a 9% increase in Shareholders' Equity. A BVPS growth metric does, however, flatter serial issuers of equity with declining share prices, such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sosei-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:770:1" rel="noopener">Sosei (4565 JP)</a>.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/696/original/2020-09-14_10-26-48.png?1600046818" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158696"></figure><p><strong>WINNERS</strong> - As many may ask and for the record, our 'winning' thirty companies contains many of Japan's best-performing businesses and 'priciest 'stocks, such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monotaro-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15441:1" rel="noopener">Monotaro (3064 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/m3-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13316:1" rel="noopener">M3 (2413 JP)</a>, <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/kobe-bussan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4701:1" rel="noopener">Kobe Bussan (3038 JP)</a>. Some of the more surprising entries are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mixi-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:602:1" rel="noopener">mixi (2121 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electric-power-co-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15457:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Electric Power (9501 JP)</a>.  As an equally-weighted portfolio, this group has outperformed by 30% over one year and by 11% over the last three months.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/697/original/2020-09-14_10-33-13.png?1600047204" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158697"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/698/original/2020-09-14_10-33-41.png?1600047231" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158698"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/701/original/2020-09-14_10-47-56.png?1600048087" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158701"></figure><p><strong>LOSERS</strong> - Our list of losers, who have collectively underperformed by 9% over one year, have many of Japan's weaker business models (shipping, oil &amp; gas, paper, copiers, gaming machines. The list also features some of the less-astute management 'teams' (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba (6502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissan-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:72:1" rel="noopener">Nissan (7201 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kirin-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16977:1" rel="noopener">Kirin (2503 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lixil-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:454:1" rel="noopener">Lixil (5938 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon (8267 JP)</a>).  Also among the latter are two medical-related business - the now remained <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/h-u-group-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16580:1" rel="noopener">H.U. Group (4544 JP)</a> (formerly Miraca) and recent Bain PE target <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nichii-gakkan-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6790:1" rel="noopener">Nichii Gakkan (9792 JP)</a>.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/706/original/2020-09-14_10-57-45.png?1600048692" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158706"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/707/original/2020-09-14_10-59-22.png?1600048774" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158707"></figure><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we all review the large companies that have seen the least change in BVPS over the last seven years and those with the lowest BVPS volatility over the same period. Our lists contain quite a few surprises.</p>

Source for all charts &amp; tables except as stated: Japan AnalyticsEQUITY-DRIVEN - Japan's aggregate Shareholders' Equity has appreciated by 45% since 2014 - an annual rate of 5.5% and has been one of the key achievements of the 'Abe era'. For the five years before 2012, Shareholders Equity was unchanged, buffeted by the 2008/9 financial crisis and the 3/11.  Although the equity market has responded well to the change in reserves, Japan's PBR has remained within a range of 1.05 to 1.38 over the last decade and is unchanged compared to 2010. In prior post-bubble 'lost' decades, the average PBR was 1.8 times. In other markets, the rise of intangible assets has called the use of Book/Price as a metric and the S&amp;P 500 PBR is now almost three times that of the Japan aggregate having bottomed at 1.78 in March 2009.Source: multpl.comBOOK VALUE PER SHARE - In this Insight, we shall look at Japan's larger-cap companies (current market value &gt;¥100 billion) through the 'lens' of book value per share. Our focus will be less on the 'winners' and 'losers' than on those companies that have seen the least change in 'BVPS' over the last seven years. Our share count excludes treasury shares which is to the benefit of companies such as NTT (9432 JP) which has seen a 20% reduction in Net Shares Outstanding, but only a 9% increase in Shareholders' Equity. A BVPS growth metric does, however, flatter serial issuers of equity with declining share prices, such as Sosei (4565 JP).WINNERS - As many may ask and for the record, our 'winning' thirty companies contains many of Japan's best-performing businesses and 'priciest 'stocks, such as Monotaro (3064 JP), M3 (2413 JP), GMO Payment Gateway (3769 JP), and Kobe Bussan (3038 JP). Some of the more surprising entries are mixi (2121 JP) and Tokyo Electric Power (9501 JP).  As an equally-weighted portfolio, this group has outperformed by 30% over one year and by 11% over the last three months.LOSERS - Our list of losers, who have collectively underperformed by 9% over one year, have many of Japan's weaker business models (shipping, oil &amp; gas, paper, copiers, gaming machines. The list also features some of the less-astute management 'teams' (Toshiba (6502 JP), Nissan (7201 JP), Kirin (2503 JP), Lixil (5938 JP), and Aeon (8267 JP)).  Also among the latter are two medical-related business - the now remained H.U. Group (4544 JP) (formerly Miraca) and recent Bain PE target Nichii Gakkan (9792 JP).In the DETAIL section below, we all review the large companies that have seen the least change in BVPS over the last seven years and those with the lowest BVPS volatility over the same period. Our lists contain quite a few surprises.

🇯🇵 Japan • Every Shareholder Left Behind - The Book Value Per Share Metric

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/semiconductor-manufacturing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14231:1" rel="noopener">Semiconductor Manufacturing (981 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com (HK) (9618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xinyi-solar-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:318:1" rel="noopener">Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK)</a>, while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology and Health Care and were covered in Financials, Communication Services, Real Estate, Energy and Consumer Staples.</p></div><div><p>Japan saw an increase in shorts 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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:280:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Electron (8035 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12933:1" rel="noopener">Kao Corp (4452 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a> and a reduction in shorts on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alps-alpine-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12001:1" rel="noopener">Alps Alpine (6770 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ryohin-keikaku-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2765:1" rel="noopener">Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cyberagent-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8197:1" rel="noopener">CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP)</a>. Sectorally, shorts increased in almost all sectors led by Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples and Industrials.</p></div><div><p>Short Interest in Korea decreased in almost all sectors led by Technology Hardware, Pharma, Media &amp; Entertainment and Materials. Stocks that saw the most short covering were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electro-mechanics-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:539:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electro Mechanics Co, Ltd. (009150 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netmarble-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22839:1" rel="noopener">Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-display-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7145:1" rel="noopener">LG Display (034220 KS)</a>. </p></div><div><p>Short Interest in Taiwan increased in Capital Goods, Banks and Pharma and decreased in Semiconductors, Technology Hardware and Transportation. Stocks that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chung-hsin-electric-machinery-mfg-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3380:1" rel="noopener">Chung Hsin Electric &amp; Machinery Mfg (1513 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wiwynn-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27838:1" rel="noopener">Wiwynn Corp (6669 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6450:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/catcher-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4957:1" rel="noopener">Catcher Technology (2474 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/macronix-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3247:1" rel="noopener">Macronix International (2337 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a>. </p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Semiconductor Manufacturing (981 HK), JD.com (HK) (9618 HK) and Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK), while there was short covering on Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Tencent Holdings (700 HK), China Mobile (941 HK) and Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK). Shorts increased in Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology and Health Care and were covered in Financials, Communication Services, Real Estate, Energy and Consumer Staples.Japan saw an increase in shorts on Fast Retailing (9983 JP), Tokyo Electron (8035 JP), Kao Corp (4452 JP) and Itochu Corp (8001 JP) and a reduction in shorts on Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP), Alps Alpine (6770 JP), Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP) and CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP). Sectorally, shorts increased in almost all sectors led by Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples and Industrials.Short Interest in Korea decreased in almost all sectors led by Technology Hardware, Pharma, Media &amp; Entertainment and Materials. Stocks that saw the most short covering were Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), Samsung Electro Mechanics Co, Ltd. (009150 KS), Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS) and LG Display (034220 KS). Short Interest in Taiwan increased in Capital Goods, Banks and Pharma and decreased in Semiconductors, Technology Hardware and Transportation. Stocks that saw the highest increase in shorts were Chung Hsin Electric &amp; Machinery Mfg (1513 TT), Wiwynn Corp (6669 TT), United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT) and Largan Precision (3008 TT) while shorts were covered on TSMC (2330 TT), Catcher Technology (2474 TT), Macronix International (2337 TT) and Yageo Corporation (2327 TT). 

Asia Short Interest Weekly: Alibaba, SMIC, Xiaomi, Kao, Itochu, Seven&I, Netmarble, TSMC, Largan

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

Event-Driven

<p>Last week it was revealed that Warren Buffet had taken stakes of about 5% in Japan’s five major trading companies. This comes at a time when the Japanese market overall offers value investors rich pickings relative to valuations that had been getting more stretched by the day in other regions, especially the US. Below, we provide a quick synopsis of the trading companies’ business models and our thoughts on other potential investments that could attract Berkshire.</p>

Last week it was revealed that Warren Buffet had taken stakes of about 5% in Japan’s five major trading companies. This comes at a time when the Japanese market overall offers value investors rich pickings relative to valuations that had been getting more stretched by the day in other regions, especially the US. Below, we provide a quick synopsis of the trading companies’ business models and our thoughts on other potential investments that could attract Berkshire.

A Quick Look at the Buffet Trade and the Most Obvious Follow-Ons

Quality-first, Business-perspective Strategy, Urbem (HK) Limited

Steven Chen

Quality-first, Business-perspective Strategy

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul class="">
<li>We view Warren Buffett's move to invest in Japan's largest trading companies as being indicative of the lack of reasonably-valued opportunities in the US as well as the size disadvantage of Berkshire Hathaway;</li>
<li>While being in no place to judge the superinvestor's investment decision, we find better investment targets to "participate in the future of Japan," especially for those who manage a smaller AUM than Berkshire;</li>
<li>In this article, we list one superior-quality business that serves the backbone of Japan's economy (i.e., the SMEs);</li>
<li>Our investment strategy concentrates on quality from a business perspective and seeks long-term opportunities with a 10%-15% hurdle rate.</li>
</ul>


We view Warren Buffett's move to invest in Japan's largest trading companies as being indicative of the lack of reasonably-valued opportunities in the US as well as the size disadvantage of Berkshire Hathaway;
While being in no place to judge the superinvestor's investment decision, we find better investment targets to "participate in the future of Japan," especially for those who manage a smaller AUM than Berkshire;
In this article, we list one superior-quality business that serves the backbone of Japan's economy (i.e., the SMEs);
Our investment strategy concentrates on quality from a business perspective and seeks long-term opportunities with a 10%-15% hurdle rate.


One "Better" Quality Pick to Consider to Participate in the Future of Japan

<p>Nikkei has just announced the changes to 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> as part of its periodic review. In a 'surprise', <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27445:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Corp (9434 JP)</a> will be added to the index and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-kayaku-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6971:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Kayaku (4272 JP)</a> will be deleted from the index.</p><p>The changes will be made prior to the open of the market on 1 October, so passive funds will trade at the closing auction on 30 September.</p><p>At between 25-26m shares to buy (2.2% of its real world float and less than 3 days of ADV to buy), the impact on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27445:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Corp 9434 JP)</a> will be minimal. The overhang of the block offering announced on 28 August should keep a lid on the stock for the time being.</p><p>The impact on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-kayaku-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6971:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Kayaku (4272 JP)</a> is expected to be much larger. The 25-26m shares to sell is over 13% of the shares outstanding and represents over 40 days of ADV and this could lead to a sharp move lower in the stock.</p><p>Surprisingly, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/familymart-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:320:1" rel="noopener">FamilyMart Co Ltd (8028 JP)</a> has not been deleted from 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> following <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a>'s offer to take the company private. The FamilyMart deletion could be done in an adhoc review or announced after the implementation of the Share Consolidation and implemented along with the annual review. We see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zozo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18379:1" rel="noopener">ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakaku-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7408:1" rel="noopener">Kakaku.com Inc (2371 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/square-enix-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15003:1" rel="noopener">Square Enix Holdings (9684 JP)</a> as the most likely replacement candidates.</p>

Nikkei has just announced the changes to the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) as part of its periodic review. In a 'surprise', Softbank Corp (9434 JP) will be added to the index and Nippon Kayaku (4272 JP) will be deleted from the index.The changes will be made prior to the open of the market on 1 October, so passive funds will trade at the closing auction on 30 September.At between 25-26m shares to buy (2.2% of its real world float and less than 3 days of ADV to buy), the impact on Softbank Corp 9434 JP) will be minimal. The overhang of the block offering announced on 28 August should keep a lid on the stock for the time being.The impact on Nippon Kayaku (4272 JP) is expected to be much larger. The 25-26m shares to sell is over 13% of the shares outstanding and represents over 40 days of ADV and this could lead to a sharp move lower in the stock.Surprisingly, FamilyMart Co Ltd (8028 JP) has not been deleted from the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) following Itochu Corp (8001 JP)'s offer to take the company private. The FamilyMart deletion could be done in an adhoc review or announced after the implementation of the Share Consolidation and implemented along with the annual review. We see ZOZO Inc (3092 JP), Kakaku.com Inc (2371 JP) and Square Enix Holdings (9684 JP) as the most likely replacement candidates.

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance: Softbank Corp IN, Nippon Kayaku OUT

Japan

ITOCHU Corporation is a general trading firm handling textiles, wood, machinery, metals, food, chemicals, construction materials, commodities, and energy related products such as oil and gas. The Company operates around the world. Itochu diversifies by operating in satellite communication and data communication businesses.

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Itochu Corp (8001 JP)

Asia Short Interest Weekly: Alibaba, SMIC, Xiaomi, Kao, Itochu, Seven&I, Netmarble, TSMC, Largan

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong...

Brian Freitas

A Quick Look at the Buffet Trade and the Most Obvious Follow-Ons

Last week it was revealed that Warren Buffet had taken stakes of about 5% in Japan’s five major trading companies. This comes at a time when the...

Mio Kato

One "Better" Quality Pick to Consider to Participate in the Future of Japan

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway

Steven Chen

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance: Softbank Corp IN, Nippon Kayaku OUT

A very widely tracked index with large impact on the inclusion names.

Brian Freitas

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🇯🇵 Japan • Every Shareholder Left Behind - The Book Value Per Share Metric

EQUITY-DRIVEN - Japans

Campbell Gunn

Asia Short Interest Weekly: Alibaba, SMIC, Xiaomi, Kao, Itochu, Seven&I, Netmarble, TSMC, Largan

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong...

Brian Freitas

A Quick Look at the Buffet Trade and the Most Obvious Follow-Ons

Last week it was revealed that Warren Buffet had taken stakes of about 5% in Japan’s five major trading companies. This comes at a time when the...

Mio Kato

One "Better" Quality Pick to Consider to Participate in the Future of Japan

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway

Steven Chen

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance: Softbank Corp IN, Nippon Kayaku OUT

A very widely tracked index with large impact on the inclusion names.

Brian Freitas