Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Equity Bottom-Up

Nomura Research Institute / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>On 21 June 2021, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nomura-research-institute-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18129:1" rel="noopener">Nomura Research Institute Ltd (4307 JP)</a> announced (<a href="https://ir.nri.com/jp/ir/news/auto_20210621452515/pdfFile.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a>) a buyback program of up to 20,000,000 shares (3.30% of shares out) spending up to ¥60 billion, with the program running from 22 June 2021 to 30 December 2021, with possible buying on market and on ToSTNeT-3, but excluding dates in the 10 days around the day after the quarterly results announcements. </p><p>The company ALSO announced a ToSTNeT-3 buyback tomorrow morning for up to 16,925,200 shares at today's closing price of ¥3,545/share. </p><p>That 16.925mm shares at that price = ¥59,999,834,000 so one can assume that if the ToSTNeT-3 buyback is completed to the full extent, that will mean the buyback program will be done tomorrow before the market opens.</p><p>The announcement suggested that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nomura-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:742:1" rel="noopener">Nomura Holdings (8604 JP)</a> intended to sell as many as 14.105 million shares in the buyback leaving 2.815mm shares for other holders if they want to sell Monday's close. </p><p>But I remind readers that a) short selling is allowed, and b) it is entirely <em>pro rata</em> (with some niggling little procedural exceptions) so if people stepped in to sell, they would probably get a decent portion of their offer sold at that price. </p><p>More below the fold. </p>

On 21 June 2021, Nomura Research Institute Ltd (4307 JP) announced (link) a buyback program of up to 20,000,000 shares (3.30% of shares out) spending up to ¥60 billion, with the program running from 22 June 2021 to 30 December 2021, with possible buying on market and on ToSTNeT-3, but excluding dates in the 10 days around the day after the quarterly results announcements. The company ALSO announced a ToSTNeT-3 buyback tomorrow morning for up to 16,925,200 shares at today's closing price of ¥3,545/share. That 16.925mm shares at that price = ¥59,999,834,000 so one can assume that if the ToSTNeT-3 buyback is completed to the full extent, that will mean the buyback program will be done tomorrow before the market opens.The announcement suggested that Nomura Holdings (8604 JP) intended to sell as many as 14.105 million shares in the buyback leaving 2.815mm shares for other holders if they want to sell Monday's close. But I remind readers that a) short selling is allowed, and b) it is entirely pro rata (with some niggling little procedural exceptions) so if people stepped in to sell, they would probably get a decent portion of their offer sold at that price. More below the fold. 

Nomura Research Institute ToSTNeT-3 Buyback

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

<div><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">There has been growing awareness of the business case for inclusion and diversity (I&amp;D) in the workplace. In Japan, Prime Minister Suga has pledged continued government support for corporate governance reform and he would like to see more </span><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">women</span><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"> and foreigners in key positions. While many companies cite I&amp;D as a source of competitive advantage and a key enabler of growth, few academic studies have been able to prove a direct link between I&amp;D and financial performance. Our analysis on Japan’s larger companies suggests the following:</span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span></p></div><div><ol style="list-style-type: decimal;" role="list" start="1"><li role="listitem" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Calibri" data-listid="1" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Most Japanese companies have very low levels of diversity. Although the participation of women on the boards of Japanese companies is expanding, those with higher levels of diversity are yet to see any improvement in financial metrics or stock performance. </span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span></p></li></ol></div><div><ol style="list-style-type: decimal;" role="list" start="2"><li role="listitem" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Calibri" data-listid="1" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Our broad composite index of board entrenchment also bears little correlation with key metrics. However, boards that are younger on average do appear to be more effective, and are correlated with a broad range of operating metrics. </span><span data-ccp-props='{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}'> </span></p></li></ol></div>

There has been growing awareness of the business case for inclusion and diversity (I&amp;D) in the workplace. In Japan, Prime Minister Suga has pledged continued government support for corporate governance reform and he would like to see more women and foreigners in key positions. While many companies cite I&amp;D as a source of competitive advantage and a key enabler of growth, few academic studies have been able to prove a direct link between I&amp;D and financial performance. Our analysis on Japan’s larger companies suggests the following: Most Japanese companies have very low levels of diversity. Although the participation of women on the boards of Japanese companies is expanding, those with higher levels of diversity are yet to see any improvement in financial metrics or stock performance.  Our broad composite index of board entrenchment also bears little correlation with key metrics. However, boards that are younger on average do appear to be more effective, and are correlated with a broad range of operating metrics.  

'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)

<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p></div><div>
<p>Monday's best and worst pairing is connector specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hirose-electric-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13513:1" rel="noopener">Hirose Electric (6806 JP)</a> and finance conglomerate <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orix-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9936:1" rel="noopener">Orix (8591 JP)</a>.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/168/962/original/2020-10-28_06-33-11.png?1604374504" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="168962"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/168/964/original/2020-11-03_12-36-42.png?1604374616" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="168964"></figure></section><div><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></div>
<hr>
<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p></div>
<hr>
<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>63 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div>
<div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Results Score:</strong> 44% Positive / 10% Neutral / 46% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Results Score Change:</strong> -1.2 points</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average % Change in Revenue:</strong> -8.3% Quarter YoY / -6.3% Rolling TTM YoY </p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -1.3ppt</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 22%</p></li>
</ul></div>
<hr>
<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>37 Annual • 25 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div>
<div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 46% Positive / 8% Neutral / 46% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 36% Positive / 4% Neutral / 60% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -2.0 points</p></li>
</ul></div>
</div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •
Monday's best and worst pairing is connector specialist Hirose Electric (6806 JP) and finance conglomerate Orix (8591 JP).
Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics

DAILY STATS

63 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 44% Positive / 10% Neutral / 46% Negative
Average Results Score Change: -1.2 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -8.3% Quarter YoY / -6.3% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.3ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 22%


37 Annual • 25 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 46% Positive / 8% Neutral / 46% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 36% Positive / 4% Neutral / 60% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -2.0 points



🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​02 - Hirose, Yamaha, CTC & NTT Data, ORIX

<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>•BEST &amp; WORST 4th AUGUST •</strong></p></div><div>
<p>The 'best' and 'worst' from yesterday's large-cap announcements came from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-techno-solutions-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2431:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Techno Solutions (4739 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nok-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2980:1" rel="noopener">NOK Corp (7240 JP)</a>, respectively - both mostly driven by forecasts.  More extensive coverage follows in the DETAIL section below.</p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/150/543/original/2020-08-05_06-36-25.png?1596577023" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="150543"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/150/530/original/2020-08-05_05-52-12.png?1596574370" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="150530"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>
<hr>
</div><div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS</strong></p>
<hr>
</div><div><p><strong>PERCENTAGES</strong> - 74% of quarterly results,  80% of annual forecasts/revisions and 73% of interim forecasts have negative Scores and 33% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.</p></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>127 Quarterly Results</strong></p></div><div><ul>
<li>
<strong>Results Score:</strong> 24% Positive / 2% Neutral / 74% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Results Score Change: </strong>-4.5 points</li>
<li>
<strong>Average % Change in Revenue: </strong>-13.4% Quarter YoY / -3.9% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>
<strong>Average Operating Profit Margin Change:</strong> -1.8 ppt</li>
<li>
<strong>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses:</strong> 33%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div><p style="text-align: center;"><br><strong>59 Annual • 33 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p></div><div><ul>
<li>
<strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 17% Positive / 3% Neutral / 80% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 24% Positive / 3% Neutral / 73% Negative</li>
<li>
<strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -9.7 points</li>
</ul></div>

•BEST &amp; WORST 4th AUGUST •
The 'best' and 'worst' from yesterday's large-cap announcements came from Itochu Techno Solutions (4739 JP) and NOK Corp (7240 JP), respectively - both mostly driven by forecasts.  More extensive coverage follows in the DETAIL section below.
Source • Japan Analytics


DAILY STATS

PERCENTAGES - 74% of quarterly results,  80% of annual forecasts/revisions and 73% of interim forecasts have negative Scores and 33% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.127 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 24% Positive / 2% Neutral / 74% Negative

Average Results Score Change: -4.5 points

Average % Change in Revenue: -13.4% Quarter YoY / -3.9% Rolling TTM YoY 

Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.8 ppt

Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 33%
 59 Annual • 33 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 17% Positive / 3% Neutral / 80% Negative

Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 24% Positive / 3% Neutral / 73% Negative

Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -9.7 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 4th August - Sony, CTC, Kakaku.com, Daikin, Yamaha, Tokai Carbon

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/130/679/original/2020-05-01_05-31-11.png?1588278692" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="130679"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><div class="content-caption"></div><p><strong>COMFORT BLANKET</strong> - As the politically-motivated Central Banks smother equity markets with the comfort blanket of the 'mother of all QEs', the reality of what The Economist describes as the '90% Economy' unfolds in the daily earnings and forecasts revisions announced by Japanese companies. In some cases, such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nidec-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7245:1" rel="noopener">Nidec (6594 JP)</a>, the picture is distorted by the strength in overseas demand in February as Chinese competition was put on hold and the rest of North Asia took up the resulting 'slack'. As we have noted before, the first and second-order impacts of COVID-19 will not be revealed until the August and November results, when we expect both of our Scores to be closer to their 2009 troughs. Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserves trillion-dollar rescue package will keep upward pressure on the yen as the Bank of Japan struggles to keep up.  </p><p><strong>COUNTERMEASURES</strong> - Japan's revised supplementary budget was approved yesterday, allowing for interest-free loans to businesses, tax deferrals and cash handouts to all households. The COVID crisis has also prompted Japan to engage in a bout of 'magical thinking' allowing for the rolling back or revision of many long-cherished traditions:-</p><ul>
<li>The start of the academic year will now probably be pushed back to September this year - discussions have started to make this shift permanent, finally bringing Japan into line with the rest of the world.</li>
<li>Hanko personal and corporate seals that are required to certify documents may now also be going the way of the dodo as the Keidanren business organisation has acknowledged that they 'do not meet the digital age'.</li>
</ul><hr><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/130/680/original/File%202020-05-01%203%2039%2027.jpeg?1588280828" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="130680"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/130/681/original/File%202020-05-01%203%2027%2003.jpeg?1588280873" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="130681"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/130/683/original/File%202020-05-01%203%2040%2007.jpeg?1588281553" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="130683"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/130/682/original/File%202020-05-01%203%2031%2028.jpeg?1588280903" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="130682"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • ourworldindata.org</div><p><strong>MAYDAY</strong> - Although Japan's daily case count has fallen to around 200, the medical experts advising the Japanese government are suggesting that this level will require an extension to the states of emergency (SOEs) currently operating in all prefectures beyond May 6th. Hospitals are still working at above-normal capacity, and patients are still being turned away from many hospitals. Alarmingly Japan's current eight death-doubling-days count is amongst the worst in the world. Also, excess mortality data for Tokyo suggests that, in March, there were over 60 excess deaths a week not attributed to COVID-19. The expectation is that the SOEs will be extended to Sunday, May 31st and that schools will not reopen until September. In most European countries extensive testing is one of the requisites for easing lockdown restrictions, and the UK is now ramping up testing capacity in anticipation. Japan's woeful record on testing will become a factor by the end of May. Japan's case fatality rate of 3% suggests that the number of cases could be ten times the official number.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/130/684/original/2020-05-01_06-41-23.png?1588282906" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="130684"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>30TH APRIL -</strong> In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> below, we shall review Thursday's large-cap results, revisions and initial forecast announcements.  The positive/neutral/negative balance for the 132 results was 51:10:71; and for the 83 revisions or initial forecasts, the split was 30:7:43. Of the 98 companies announcing annual results, only 43 made forecasts for the current year. The ratio of dividend cuts to increases was 5:10 with <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> being the most prominent in the former camp.</p>

Source • Japan AnalyticsCOMFORT BLANKET - As the politically-motivated Central Banks smother equity markets with the comfort blanket of the 'mother of all QEs', the reality of what The Economist describes as the '90% Economy' unfolds in the daily earnings and forecasts revisions announced by Japanese companies. In some cases, such as Nidec (6594 JP), the picture is distorted by the strength in overseas demand in February as Chinese competition was put on hold and the rest of North Asia took up the resulting 'slack'. As we have noted before, the first and second-order impacts of COVID-19 will not be revealed until the August and November results, when we expect both of our Scores to be closer to their 2009 troughs. Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserves trillion-dollar rescue package will keep upward pressure on the yen as the Bank of Japan struggles to keep up.  COUNTERMEASURES - Japan's revised supplementary budget was approved yesterday, allowing for interest-free loans to businesses, tax deferrals and cash handouts to all households. The COVID crisis has also prompted Japan to engage in a bout of 'magical thinking' allowing for the rolling back or revision of many long-cherished traditions:-
The start of the academic year will now probably be pushed back to September this year - discussions have started to make this shift permanent, finally bringing Japan into line with the rest of the world.
Hanko personal and corporate seals that are required to certify documents may now also be going the way of the dodo as the Keidanren business organisation has acknowledged that they 'do not meet the digital age'.
Source • ourworldindata.orgMAYDAY - Although Japan's daily case count has fallen to around 200, the medical experts advising the Japanese government are suggesting that this level will require an extension to the states of emergency (SOEs) currently operating in all prefectures beyond May 6th. Hospitals are still working at above-normal capacity, and patients are still being turned away from many hospitals. Alarmingly Japan's current eight death-doubling-days count is amongst the worst in the world. Also, excess mortality data for Tokyo suggests that, in March, there were over 60 excess deaths a week not attributed to COVID-19. The expectation is that the SOEs will be extended to Sunday, May 31st and that schools will not reopen until September. In most European countries extensive testing is one of the requisites for easing lockdown restrictions, and the UK is now ramping up testing capacity in anticipation. Japan's woeful record on testing will become a factor by the end of May. Japan's case fatality rate of 3% suggests that the number of cases could be ten times the official number.Source • Japan Analytics30TH APRIL - In the DETAIL below, we shall review Thursday's large-cap results, revisions and initial forecast announcements.  The positive/neutral/negative balance for the 132 results was 51:10:71; and for the 83 revisions or initial forecasts, the split was 30:7:43. Of the 98 companies announcing annual results, only 43 made forecasts for the current year. The ratio of dividend cuts to increases was 5:10 with Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP) being the most prominent in the former camp.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Update 30th April - D1Life, Toto, JR-W, CTC, Murata, Nidec, Mercari

Japan

ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation develops and constructs computer network systems and software.  The Company also provides system maintenance services. Itochu Techno-Solutions also offers solution consulting services.

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

Itochu Techno Solutions (4739 JP)

Nomura Research Institute ToSTNeT-3 Buyback

NRI is one of the higher-multiple (forward consensus EV/EBIT or EV/EBITDA) Japanese IT service companies. There is a PRE-OPEN ToSTNeT-3 buyback...

Travis Lundy

Japan Governance - Diversity Matters

Japanese companies have very low levels of board diversity. Participation by women is too low to see any tangible results yet, but more youthful...

Mark Chadwick

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/02 - Hirose, Yamaha, CTC & NTT Data, ORIX

• BEST & WORST • Monday's best and worst pairing is connector specialist Hirose Electric (6806 JP) and finance conglomerate Orix (8591 JP).

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 4th August - Sony, CTC, Kakaku.com, Daikin, Yamaha, Tokai Carbon

•BEST & WORST 4th AUGUST • The 'best' and 'worst' from yesterday's large-cap announcements came from Itochu Techno Solutions (4739 JP) and NOK...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Update 30th April - D1Life, Toto, JR-W, CTC, Murata, Nidec, Mercari

COMFORT BLANKET - As the politically-motivated Central Banks smother equity markets with the comfort blanket of the 'mother of all QEs', the...

Campbell Gunn

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Nomura Research Institute ToSTNeT-3 Buyback

NRI is one of the higher-multiple (forward consensus EV/EBIT or EV/EBITDA) Japanese IT service companies. There is a *PRE-OPEN* ToSTNeT-3 buyback...

Travis Lundy

Japan Governance - Diversity Matters

Japanese companies have very low levels of board diversity. Participation by women is too low to see any tangible results yet, but more youthful...

Mark Chadwick

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​02 - Hirose, Yamaha, CTC & NTT Data, ORIX

• BEST & WORST • Monday's best and worst pairing is connector specialist Hirose Electric (6806 JP) and finance conglomerate Orix (8591 JP).

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 4th August - Sony, CTC, Kakaku.com, Daikin, Yamaha, Tokai Carbon

•BEST & WORST 4th AUGUST • The 'best' and 'worst' from yesterday's large-cap announcements came from Itochu Techno Solutions (4739 JP) and NOK...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Update 30th April - D1Life, Toto, JR-W, CTC, Murata, Nidec, Mercari

COMFORT BLANKET - As the politically-motivated Central Banks smother equity markets with the comfort blanket of the 'mother of all QEs', the...

Campbell Gunn

NRI is one of the higher-multiple (forward consensus EV/EBIT or EV/EBITDA) Japanese IT service companies. There is a PRE-OPEN ToSTNeT-3 buyback...

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 11/02 - Hirose, Yamaha, CTC & NTT Data, ORIX