Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

<p>Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain cautious and concerned that global equities remain vulnerable and could be poised for additional weakness moving forward. Major indexes around the world continue to do next to nothing, making Sector, Group, and stock selection all the more important. We prefer to use a barbell strategy of growth and safety. Attractive and actionable themes highlighted in today’s report include IT Services/Tech Software, Communications, Precious Metals, and Utilities.</p>

Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain cautious and concerned that global equities remain vulnerable and could be poised for additional weakness moving forward. Major indexes around the world continue to do next to nothing, making Sector, Group, and stock selection all the more important. We prefer to use a barbell strategy of growth and safety. Attractive and actionable themes highlighted in today’s report include IT Services/Tech Software, Communications, Precious Metals, and Utilities.

Global Equity Strategy: Stay on the Defensive

<p>We highlight attractive and actionable themes within developed international markets, including actionable set-ups across among: Non-bank Financials, Japanese Technology stocks, and within European Discretionary, Industrial, Health Care, and Staples sectors<em>.</em></p>

We highlight attractive and actionable themes within developed international markets, including actionable set-ups across among: Non-bank Financials, Japanese Technology stocks, and within European Discretionary, Industrial, Health Care, and Staples sectors.

Developed International Equity Strategy: Favor EAFE over EM

Stoxx Europe Small 200 Price Eur / Technical Analysis

<p>With further consolidation likely for the broad indexes, we want to stick with areas of the market that have shown an ability to outperform despite the broader consolidation. For that we are returning to Technology and Services. Roughly half of today’s individual stock recommendations are domiciled in Japan, while the remainder hail from India and Russia.</p>

With further consolidation likely for the broad indexes, we want to stick with areas of the market that have shown an ability to outperform despite the broader consolidation. For that we are returning to Technology and Services. Roughly half of today’s individual stock recommendations are domiciled in Japan, while the remainder hail from India and Russia.

Global Equity Strategy U.S. Fed Cut, Now What?

<p>As global equity markets pull back amid the U.S./China tariff saga we continue to believe this is an attractive time to add exposure. This view is supported technically with all major global indexes (MSCI ACWI, ACWI ex-U.S., EAFE, and EM) pulling back to their respective 200-day moving averages. In this report we highlight important technical levels across global markets and highlight actionable opportunities from a bottoms-up perspective within Europe (attractive pullback opportunity on the STOXX Europe 600 index) and Japan, including stocks within Financials, Communications, Consumer Discretionary, and Manufacturing.</p>

As global equity markets pull back amid the U.S./China tariff saga we continue to believe this is an attractive time to add exposure. This view is supported technically with all major global indexes (MSCI ACWI, ACWI ex-U.S., EAFE, and EM) pulling back to their respective 200-day moving averages. In this report we highlight important technical levels across global markets and highlight actionable opportunities from a bottoms-up perspective within Europe (attractive pullback opportunity on the STOXX Europe 600 index) and Japan, including stocks within Financials, Communications, Consumer Discretionary, and Manufacturing.

Opportunities in European & Japanese Equities

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

ja research

ja research is an independent research platform focused exclusively on Japanese equities. Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, we provide insights on small and medium-sized companies that have been ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on larger companies. We also offer analyst and corporate access, the latter with translation if required. 

Quantitative Analysis

<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/086/182/original/2019-04-29_12-24-09.png?1556508262" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="86182"></figure><p>Source: Japan Analytics</p>
</div><p><strong>EARLY DAYS</strong> - In the last seven trading days, 473 Japanese companies have reported quarterly results, 11% of the 3,830 that are currently listed. Of this 76 % have been annual results for the fiscal year ended March 2019.  Also, there have been 328 initial forecasts for the year to March 2020, 227 initial interim forecasts and 228 intra-year revisions. With the long holiday break, there will be an avalanche of announcements from the 7th May onwards. In this Insight, we shall look at the trends apparent in the results so far released.  In the last month, our Market Composite trailing-twelve-month (TTM) data series is unchanged for Operating Income, while Net Income has increased by ¥0.2t. <strong>With 13% of March-year-end companies have issued FY2020 forecasts, aggregate forecast Operating Income is ¥0.7t lower and is in line with TTM Operating Income. Forecast Net Income is ¥0.6 lower and is 4% below TTM Net Income. </strong></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/086/411/original/2019-04-30_13-26-24.png?1556598396" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="86411"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/086/412/original/File%202019-04-30%2013%2010%2017.jpeg?1556598417" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="86412"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics, Pictet Asset Management</div><p><strong>MARGIN SLIPPAGE</strong> -<strong> </strong>With revenues remaining relatively robust, margins are declining fast that at any time since 2016. The forecast operating margin is now 42 basis points below the 2018 peak level, while the slippage in net margins is 78 basis points. Although the sample is not the same, to IBES consensus estimates have current downtrend bottoming out in the second half of the year with net margins recovering to 6.6% in 2021. We consider this overly optimistic. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/086/187/original/2019-04-29_12-32-53.png?1556508784" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="86187"></figure><div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/086/190/original/2019-04-29_12-51-24.png?1556509893" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="86190"></figure><p>Source: Japan Analytics</p>
</div><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>RESULTS &amp; REVISION SCORES</strong> - Our scoring methodology for results and forecasts/revisions incorporates rates of change and other momentum factors and has historically provided a better fit with changes in aggregate market value. Although the Market Composite Results Score has remained stable in the last week at 2.21, we expect the score to end this results 'season' closer to zero as indicated by the trend in the Forecast/Revision Score. The latter has declined for six quarters in a row and the current quarter will make it seven. <strong>Although our data series only covers the last forty quarters and is perhaps too short for generalisations, it would be unusual for the Forecasts/Revision Score series to have an eighth down quarter in a row. Perhaps the market's robust recovery from the Christmas Day low is anticipating such an outcome. </strong></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/086/193/original/2019-04-29_13-17-03.png?1556511439" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="86193"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>USDJPY NEUTRAL</strong> - In the past, one of the principal drivers of both scores has been changes in the US dollar/Yen exchange rate. The chart above merges both scores to create a cleaner timeline, and key turning points in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/22826" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22826:1">JUSDJPY CURNCY</a> highlighted. With the currency cross trading in a narrow range, there is little support or stimulus in the next six months. However, any sustained weakness in the Yen, such as occurred from September 2016, will be another confirmation that a cycle low has been reached. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the<strong> DETAIL</strong> section below, we update our  Sector Results &amp; Revision Scores and look at the best and worst large-cap company results over the seven trading days.</p></div>


Source: Japan Analytics
EARLY DAYS - In the last seven trading days, 473 Japanese companies have reported quarterly results, 11% of the 3,830 that are currently listed. Of this 76 % have been annual results for the fiscal year ended March 2019.  Also, there have been 328 initial forecasts for the year to March 2020, 227 initial interim forecasts and 228 intra-year revisions. With the long holiday break, there will be an avalanche of announcements from the 7th May onwards. In this Insight, we shall look at the trends apparent in the results so far released.  In the last month, our Market Composite trailing-twelve-month (TTM) data series is unchanged for Operating Income, while Net Income has increased by ¥0.2t. With 13% of March-year-end companies have issued FY2020 forecasts, aggregate forecast Operating Income is ¥0.7t lower and is in line with TTM Operating Income. Forecast Net Income is ¥0.6 lower and is 4% below TTM Net Income. Source: Japan Analytics, Pictet Asset ManagementMARGIN SLIPPAGE - With revenues remaining relatively robust, margins are declining fast that at any time since 2016. The forecast operating margin is now 42 basis points below the 2018 peak level, while the slippage in net margins is 78 basis points. Although the sample is not the same, to IBES consensus estimates have current downtrend bottoming out in the second half of the year with net margins recovering to 6.6% in 2021. We consider this overly optimistic. 
Source: Japan Analytics
RESULTS &amp; REVISION SCORES - Our scoring methodology for results and forecasts/revisions incorporates rates of change and other momentum factors and has historically provided a better fit with changes in aggregate market value. Although the Market Composite Results Score has remained stable in the last week at 2.21, we expect the score to end this results 'season' closer to zero as indicated by the trend in the Forecast/Revision Score. The latter has declined for six quarters in a row and the current quarter will make it seven. Although our data series only covers the last forty quarters and is perhaps too short for generalisations, it would be unusual for the Forecasts/Revision Score series to have an eighth down quarter in a row. Perhaps the market's robust recovery from the Christmas Day low is anticipating such an outcome. Source: Japan AnalyticsUSDJPY NEUTRAL - In the past, one of the principal drivers of both scores has been changes in the US dollar/Yen exchange rate. The chart above merges both scores to create a cleaner timeline, and key turning points in JUSDJPY CURNCY highlighted. With the currency cross trading in a narrow range, there is little support or stimulus in the next six months. However, any sustained weakness in the Yen, such as occurred from September 2016, will be another confirmation that a cycle low has been reached. In the DETAIL section below, we update our  Sector Results &amp; Revision Scores and look at the best and worst large-cap company results over the seven trading days.

🇯🇵 Japan • Spring Results & Revisions Flash - Early Days

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.

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Itochu Techno Solutions (4739 JP)

Global Equity Strategy: Stay on the Defensive

Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain...

Vermilion Research

Developed International Equity Strategy: Favor EAFE over EM

We highlight attractive and actionable themes within developed international markets, including actionable set-ups across among: Non-bank...

Vermilion Research

Global Equity Strategy U.S. Fed Cut, Now What?

With further consolidation likely for the broad indexes, we want to stick with areas of the market that have shown an ability to outperform despite...

Vermilion Research

Opportunities in European & Japanese Equities

As global equity markets pull back amid the U.S./China tariff saga we continue to believe this is an attractive time to add exposure. This view is...

Vermilion Research

🇯🇵 Japan • Spring Results & Revisions Flash - Early Days

EARLY DAYS - In the last seven trading days, 473 Japanese companies have reported quarterly results, 11% of the 3,830 that are currently listed. Of...

Campbell Gunn

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