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/wharf-real-estate-investment" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26031:1" rel="noopener">Wharf Real Estate Investment (1997 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wharf-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:51:1" rel="noopener">Wharf Holdings (4 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cspc-pharmaceutical-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:229:1" rel="noopener">CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (1093 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sunny-optical-tech" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13363:1" rel="noopener">Sunny Optical (2382 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <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/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan Dianping (3690 HK)</a>, <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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in Real Estate, Health Care and Consumer Staples, and were covered in Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Information Technology.</p></div><div><p>Japan saw an increase in shorts on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kirin-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16977:1" rel="noopener">Kirin Holdings (2503 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-tobacco-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13498:1" rel="noopener">Japan Tobacco (2914 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kubota-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12926:1" rel="noopener">Kubota Corp (6326 JP)</a> and a reduction in shorts on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujitsu-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16968:1" rel="noopener">Fujitsu Ltd (6702 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advantest-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18107:1" rel="noopener">Advantest Corp (6857 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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/leopalace21-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8244:1" rel="noopener">Leopalace21 Corp (8848 JP)</a>. Sectorally, shorts increased in all sectors led by Consumer Staples, Industrials, Information Technology and Energy.</p></div><div><p>Short Interest in Korea increased in most industry groups led by Technology Hardware, Media &amp; Entertainment, Semiconductors and Materials.</p></div><div><p>Shorts in Taiwan were covered in Semiconductors, Technology Hardware, Capital Goods, Consumer Durables and Materials.</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 Wharf Real Estate Investment (1997 HK), Wharf Holdings (4 HK), CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (1093 HK) and Sunny Optical (2382 HK) while there was short covering on Semiconductor Manufacturing (981 HK), Meituan Dianping (3690 HK), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK) and Alibaba Group (9988 HK). Shorts increased in Real Estate, Health Care and Consumer Staples, and were covered in Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Information Technology.Japan saw an increase in shorts on Kirin Holdings (2503 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP), Japan Tobacco (2914 JP) and Kubota Corp (6326 JP) and a reduction in shorts on Fujitsu Ltd (6702 JP), Advantest Corp (6857 JP), Alps Alpine (6770 JP) and Leopalace21 Corp (8848 JP). Sectorally, shorts increased in all sectors led by Consumer Staples, Industrials, Information Technology and Energy.Short Interest in Korea increased in most industry groups led by Technology Hardware, Media &amp; Entertainment, Semiconductors and Materials.Shorts in Taiwan were covered in Semiconductors, Technology Hardware, Capital Goods, Consumer Durables and Materials.

Asia Short Interest Weekly - Big Jump in Japan Shorts

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech, Aequitas Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Smoore International Holdings / Equity Capital Markets

<p>Smoore Tech is a leading e-cigarette and component manufacturer in China. The company was delisted from the venture board in China, the NEEQ, and is seeking a listing in Hong Kong to raise up to USD 400 million. </p>
<p>In our previous notes, we have looked at the company's background, its brief financials, and its shareholders. We were impressed by the company's stellar growth in the past and its technology-driven business. The company is the number one e-cigarette OEM player in the world with the US being its largest source of revenue. The company has a capacity expansion plan in the next three years to replace its old production base with a new large scale plant in Jiangmen Industrial Park. We also looked at the latest regulatory landscape on e-cigarettes in the company’s main market, the US and China. We think the FDA’s deadline for pre-marketing approval in 2020, even if pushed forward, will not present a major problem to the company’s blue-chip clients. Looking at the development in China, we also believe that the e-cigarette will be regulated in a similar manner as it is in the US. There might be short term hiccups but a regulatory framework that benefits the general public is long term positive for the e-cigarette industry. We noted that there was a lack of presence of institutional investors in its pre-IPO round of investment. </p>
<p>In this note, we look at the Smoore International's latest prospectus as well as financials disclosed by its parent company, EVE Energy. While the revenue growth was strong in 2H2019, we see weakness in the US and Japan. Sales in China were affected in 2H2019 by the online sales ban of e-cig and in 1H2020 by the COVID-19. Having said that, we believe that COVID-19 is a one-off event for the company and the growth in China will return. We remain positive on the company and think the heavy capex and the R&amp;D spending will impose a high barrier to entry for the business.</p>
<div>
<div>
<h2>Our previous coverage on Smoore International</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/smoore-tech-pre-ipo-6y-and-1h2019-financials-show-technology-driven-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smoore Tech (麦克韦尔) Pre-IPO: 6Y and 1H2019 Financials Show Technology Driven Growth</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/smoore-tech-ipo-hidden-e-cigarette-player-behind-the-feelm-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smoore Tech (麦克韦尔) IPO: Hidden E-Cigarette Player Behind the FEELM Technology</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/smoore-pre-ipo-on-the-ground-visit-revealed-five-risks-in-china-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smoore (麦克韦尔) Pre-IPO: On-The-Ground Visit Revealed Five Risks in China Market</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/smoore-intl-pre-ipo-tripling-capacity-in-three-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smoore Intl (思摩尔国际) Pre-IPO: Tripling Capacity in Three Years</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/smoore-intl-pre-ipo-thoughts-on-e-cig-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smoore Intl (思摩尔国际) Pre-IPO: Thoughts on E-Cig Regulation</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

Smoore Tech is a leading e-cigarette and component manufacturer in China. The company was delisted from the venture board in China, the NEEQ, and is seeking a listing in Hong Kong to raise up to USD 400 million. 
In our previous notes, we have looked at the company's background, its brief financials, and its shareholders. We were impressed by the company's stellar growth in the past and its technology-driven business. The company is the number one e-cigarette OEM player in the world with the US being its largest source of revenue. The company has a capacity expansion plan in the next three years to replace its old production base with a new large scale plant in Jiangmen Industrial Park. We also looked at the latest regulatory landscape on e-cigarettes in the company’s main market, the US and China. We think the FDA’s deadline for pre-marketing approval in 2020, even if pushed forward, will not present a major problem to the company’s blue-chip clients. Looking at the development in China, we also believe that the e-cigarette will be regulated in a similar manner as it is in the US. There might be short term hiccups but a regulatory framework that benefits the general public is long term positive for the e-cigarette industry. We noted that there was a lack of presence of institutional investors in its pre-IPO round of investment. 
In this note, we look at the Smoore International's latest prospectus as well as financials disclosed by its parent company, EVE Energy. While the revenue growth was strong in 2H2019, we see weakness in the US and Japan. Sales in China were affected in 2H2019 by the online sales ban of e-cig and in 1H2020 by the COVID-19. Having said that, we believe that COVID-19 is a one-off event for the company and the growth in China will return. We remain positive on the company and think the heavy capex and the R&amp;D spending will impose a high barrier to entry for the business.


Our previous coverage on Smoore International




Smoore Tech (麦克韦尔) Pre-IPO: 6Y and 1H2019 Financials Show Technology Driven Growth
Smoore Tech (麦克韦尔) IPO: Hidden E-Cigarette Player Behind the FEELM Technology
Smoore (麦克韦尔) Pre-IPO: On-The-Ground Visit Revealed Five Risks in China Market
Smoore Intl (思摩尔国际) Pre-IPO: Tripling Capacity in Three Years
Smoore Intl (思摩尔国际) Pre-IPO: Thoughts on E-Cig Regulation



Smoore Intl (思摩尔国际) Pre-IPO: PHIP Updates, A Slow yet Encouraging Start in 2020

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smoore-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28241:1" rel="noopener">Smoore International (0959165D CH)</a> is the world’s largest vaping device manufacturer as measured by revenue, accounting for 16.5% of the total market share in 2019 (vs 10.1% in 2018), according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. It is seeking is raise $800 million through a Hong Kong, according to press reports.</p><p>The PHIP shows that the revenue growth slowed from 178% YoY in 1H19 to 92% YoY in 2H19 due to disruption on the US regulatory front and to a mere 7.8% YoY in 4M20 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/british-american-tobacco-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21828:1" rel="noopener">British American Tobacco (BATS LN)</a>, a Smoore customer, notes that while the US vaping market will recover as the year progresses, it will still decline by 9% in 2020. As the US is Smoore’s largest geography, its growth will be impacted by the weak US vaping market. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>The key takeaway is that 2020 can be considered a lost year due to the evolving US regulatory landscape and the COVID-19 outbreak. As the COVID-19 outbreak is subsidising and US regulatory environment is moving towards clarity, there seems to be no lasting change to the structural growth story, in our view. Overall, while the timing of the IPO is not ideal, we continue to believe that Smoore has the hallmarks of a well-run business and worth a look.</p></div>

Smoore International (0959165D CH) is the world’s largest vaping device manufacturer as measured by revenue, accounting for 16.5% of the total market share in 2019 (vs 10.1% in 2018), according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. It is seeking is raise $800 million through a Hong Kong, according to press reports.The PHIP shows that the revenue growth slowed from 178% YoY in 1H19 to 92% YoY in 2H19 due to disruption on the US regulatory front and to a mere 7.8% YoY in 4M20 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. British American Tobacco (BATS LN), a Smoore customer, notes that while the US vaping market will recover as the year progresses, it will still decline by 9% in 2020. As the US is Smoore’s largest geography, its growth will be impacted by the weak US vaping market. The key takeaway is that 2020 can be considered a lost year due to the evolving US regulatory landscape and the COVID-19 outbreak. As the COVID-19 outbreak is subsidising and US regulatory environment is moving towards clarity, there seems to be no lasting change to the structural growth story, in our view. Overall, while the timing of the IPO is not ideal, we continue to believe that Smoore has the hallmarks of a well-run business and worth a look.

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>On 27<sup>th</sup> March, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-tobacco-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13498:1" rel="noopener">Japan Tobacco (2914 JP)</a> announced that it received a dividend of $600m (¥66.0bn) from its consolidated subsidiary, JT International.</li>
<li>It is customary for Japan Tobacco (parent) to receive this dividend on an annual basis from JT International, which is the holding company of Japan Tobacco’s international tobacco operations.</li>
<li>Given that Japan Tobacco is a defensive stock, a dividend cut even under these extraordinary circumstances could have devastating consequences for the share price.</li>
<li>On the other hand, a better than expected increase in dividend or total payout could possibly rally Japan Tobacco’s share price.</li>
</ul>


On 27th March, Japan Tobacco (2914 JP) announced that it received a dividend of $600m (¥66.0bn) from its consolidated subsidiary, JT International.
It is customary for Japan Tobacco (parent) to receive this dividend on an annual basis from JT International, which is the holding company of Japan Tobacco’s international tobacco operations.
Given that Japan Tobacco is a defensive stock, a dividend cut even under these extraordinary circumstances could have devastating consequences for the share price.
On the other hand, a better than expected increase in dividend or total payout could possibly rally Japan Tobacco’s share price.


Japan Tobacco: Likely to Increase Payout While Others Stash Their Cash

'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. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/123/035/original/2020-03-15_07-07-04.png?1584223644" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="123035"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>RELATIVE VALUE</strong> - Since the recent peak of December 17th, the TOPIX Index has fallen by 28% in 56 trading days. The<strong> -0.57% daily average rate of decline</strong> over the last three months has only been exceeded on 32 of the 10,142 days since March 1979, eight of which occurred in 1990, with the balance in 2008. From the January 23rd 2018 peak of 1,911, the index has fallen by 34% and is within 3% of our target (expressed in terms of Total Market Value ex REITs) outlined in our <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-market-update-opportunity-knocks" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:37049" rel="noopener">Opportunity Knocks?</a> Insight published on 1st March. The market is also within 5% of the TOPIX low of 1,196 of 12th February 2016, which we expect will provide some short-term support. Although Japan and many other developed world economies are now in recession, markets do not fall in a straight line forever. <strong>Japanese equities now offer attractive relative value and should outperform over the coming months.</strong></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/123/034/original/2020-03-15_06-53-01.png?1584222882" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="123034"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/123/036/original/2020-03-15_07-18-49.png?1584224347" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="123036"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/123/037/original/2020-03-15_07-23-55.png?1584224666" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="123037"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>IT'S DIFFERENT THIS TIME</strong> - Most bear markets in Japan have coincided with periods of Yen strength, including the 29% 2015/16 decline when the currency strengthened by 19%. Repeating the rate of decline analysis above, in US dollar terms there have only been <strong>four days in the last twenty-eight years</strong> with worse 56-day rates of decline - all in October 2008. <strong>All four days provided fearless investors with excellent medium-term gains.</strong> Although this increase in market volatility may be less welcome for international investors in Japanese equities, the impact of the <em>Covid-19 recession</em> on the Japanese economy will be more muted. Also, the 48% collapse in the oil price year-to-date will help offset the negative impact of the October 2019 increase in the consumption tax and the decline in export sales in Europe. Lastly, we would suggest that the much-derided net cash that Japanese corporates 'hoard' for rainy days such as these, should delay the need for increases in credit lines. Our recent series of Insights on<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-who-s-swimming-naked-part-2-altman-z-score" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:37316" rel="noopener"> Who’s Swimming Naked?</a> cover those companies to which this does not apply. <strong>Overall</strong>, <strong>for Japan at least, it is different this time.</strong></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/123/039/original/File%202020-03-15%203%2024%2020.jpeg?1584225464" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="123039"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/123/040/original/File%202020-03-15%203%2026%2031.jpeg?1584225508" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="123040"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/123/041/original/File%202020-03-15%207%2044%2021.jpeg?1584225894" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="123041"></figure><p></p><div class="content-caption">Source • Max Roser, Hannah Ritchie and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina (2020) - "Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Research and Statistics". Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus' [Online Resource]</div><p><strong>CONTAINING COVID</strong> - According to <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the peerless <strong>Global Change Data Lab</strong> at Oxford University, Japan has, (except for the unfortunate passengers and crew on the Diamond Princess cruise ship), managed to contain Covid-19 better than any other large nation. While, there is some scepticism that this outcome could be a result of under-testing to avoid cancellation of the Olympic Games; nevertheless, the recorded cases fatality rate in a country with an above-average age profile is surprisingly low.  Currently, the daily increase in active Covid-19 cases in Japan is less than one hundred and was only seventeen on March 15th. The cumulative number of confirmed Covid-19 fatalities is 24, of which two occurred yesterday. The confirmed number of cases per 100,000 population is 0.65, which compares with 19.5 in South Korea, 16.5 in Italy and 12 in Iran. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/123/038/original/2020-03-15_07-34-05.png?1584225268" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="123038"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • oann.com</div><p><strong>KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON -</strong> Last night's press conference by Prime Minister Abe was in stark contrast to the sombre tone to those of Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom and the tragicomic ramblings of the US President. Having received the legislative powers to declare a state of emergency, Abe declined at this stage to invoke any social restrictions beyond the already-announced school closures. As in the UK, sporting authorities are cancelling events or holding them <em>sine populo</em>. Japan's long obsession with cleanliness, the culture of bowing as a greeting and readiness to conform have served to 'flatten the curve'. The increased focus on such practices has also resulted in a very low incidence of seasonal influenza this year. Japan also has significantly lower levels of air pollution compared to China, Iran and northern Italy, a  factor that has become a factor in fatality rates, especially amongst the elderly. Although internal travel and restaurant patronage have sharply declined in Japan, shops are open and are well-stocked (except for now-rationed paper products) and 'free movement' with slightly-greater-than-normal social distancing is the norm. Whatever the motivations may be regarding the Olympics and Abe's legacy, Japan is unwilling to force the economy into the economic depression that would be the result of prolonged lockdown. </p><p><strong>A COVID-19 WORLD</strong> - This 'keep-calm-carry-on' model of a Covid-19-prevalent world (as is also seen in Singapore and Taiwan) will eventually have to be applied globally. These countries rapid transition to the new 'Covid-19 world' should result in better short-term outcomes for these economies.  The UK is currently being criticised for attempting to follow a version of this model, and may eventually have to go against the advice of its epidemiologists. Fortunately, for now, the general public are giving the UK government the benefit of the doubt. There will be a sharp divergence in the medium-term economic outlooks for countries taking these two 'paths' with those that are over-reacting paying a heavy price. While this does not bode well for the Eurozone, East Asia, including Japan, should emerge in better shape in this new 'viral' world.      </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we shall review a number of our favourite market indicators, recent sector performance and make some recommendations as to how to harness this<strong> once-in-a-decade</strong> opportunity to buy high-quality Japanese companies at attractive prices.</p></div>

Source • Japan AnalyticsRELATIVE VALUE - Since the recent peak of December 17th, the TOPIX Index has fallen by 28% in 56 trading days. The -0.57% daily average rate of decline over the last three months has only been exceeded on 32 of the 10,142 days since March 1979, eight of which occurred in 1990, with the balance in 2008. From the January 23rd 2018 peak of 1,911, the index has fallen by 34% and is within 3% of our target (expressed in terms of Total Market Value ex REITs) outlined in our Opportunity Knocks? Insight published on 1st March. The market is also within 5% of the TOPIX low of 1,196 of 12th February 2016, which we expect will provide some short-term support. Although Japan and many other developed world economies are now in recession, markets do not fall in a straight line forever. Japanese equities now offer attractive relative value and should outperform over the coming months.Source • Japan AnalyticsIT'S DIFFERENT THIS TIME - Most bear markets in Japan have coincided with periods of Yen strength, including the 29% 2015/16 decline when the currency strengthened by 19%. Repeating the rate of decline analysis above, in US dollar terms there have only been four days in the last twenty-eight years with worse 56-day rates of decline - all in October 2008. All four days provided fearless investors with excellent medium-term gains. Although this increase in market volatility may be less welcome for international investors in Japanese equities, the impact of the Covid-19 recession on the Japanese economy will be more muted. Also, the 48% collapse in the oil price year-to-date will help offset the negative impact of the October 2019 increase in the consumption tax and the decline in export sales in Europe. Lastly, we would suggest that the much-derided net cash that Japanese corporates 'hoard' for rainy days such as these, should delay the need for increases in credit lines. Our recent series of Insights on Who’s Swimming Naked? cover those companies to which this does not apply. Overall, for Japan at least, it is different this time.Source • Max Roser, Hannah Ritchie and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina (2020) - "Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Research and Statistics". Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus' [Online Resource]CONTAINING COVID - According to data from the peerless Global Change Data Lab at Oxford University, Japan has, (except for the unfortunate passengers and crew on the Diamond Princess cruise ship), managed to contain Covid-19 better than any other large nation. While, there is some scepticism that this outcome could be a result of under-testing to avoid cancellation of the Olympic Games; nevertheless, the recorded cases fatality rate in a country with an above-average age profile is surprisingly low.  Currently, the daily increase in active Covid-19 cases in Japan is less than one hundred and was only seventeen on March 15th. The cumulative number of confirmed Covid-19 fatalities is 24, of which two occurred yesterday. The confirmed number of cases per 100,000 population is 0.65, which compares with 19.5 in South Korea, 16.5 in Italy and 12 in Iran. Source • oann.comKEEP CALM AND CARRY ON - Last night's press conference by Prime Minister Abe was in stark contrast to the sombre tone to those of Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom and the tragicomic ramblings of the US President. Having received the legislative powers to declare a state of emergency, Abe declined at this stage to invoke any social restrictions beyond the already-announced school closures. As in the UK, sporting authorities are cancelling events or holding them sine populo. Japan's long obsession with cleanliness, the culture of bowing as a greeting and readiness to conform have served to 'flatten the curve'. The increased focus on such practices has also resulted in a very low incidence of seasonal influenza this year. Japan also has significantly lower levels of air pollution compared to China, Iran and northern Italy, a  factor that has become a factor in fatality rates, especially amongst the elderly. Although internal travel and restaurant patronage have sharply declined in Japan, shops are open and are well-stocked (except for now-rationed paper products) and 'free movement' with slightly-greater-than-normal social distancing is the norm. Whatever the motivations may be regarding the Olympics and Abe's legacy, Japan is unwilling to force the economy into the economic depression that would be the result of prolonged lockdown. A COVID-19 WORLD - This 'keep-calm-carry-on' model of a Covid-19-prevalent world (as is also seen in Singapore and Taiwan) will eventually have to be applied globally. These countries rapid transition to the new 'Covid-19 world' should result in better short-term outcomes for these economies.  The UK is currently being criticised for attempting to follow a version of this model, and may eventually have to go against the advice of its epidemiologists. Fortunately, for now, the general public are giving the UK government the benefit of the doubt. There will be a sharp divergence in the medium-term economic outlooks for countries taking these two 'paths' with those that are over-reacting paying a heavy price. While this does not bode well for the Eurozone, East Asia, including Japan, should emerge in better shape in this new 'viral' world.      In the DETAIL section below, we shall review a number of our favourite market indicators, recent sector performance and make some recommendations as to how to harness this once-in-a-decade opportunity to buy high-quality Japanese companies at attractive prices.

🇯🇵 JAPAN MARKET UPDATE • Relative Value: Short-Term Buy On Japanese Equities

Japan

Japan Tobacco, Inc. operates as an tobacco product company. The Company manufactures, markets and sells cigarettes and other tobacco products internationally. Japan Tobacco is also engaged in pharmaceutical and food businesses.

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Japan Tobacco (2914 JP)

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🇯🇵 JAPAN MARKET UPDATE • Relative Value: Short-Term Buy On Japanese Equities

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Campbell Gunn

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