Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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 Capital Markets

West Japan Railway Co / Equity Capital Markets

<p>Even after completing its rather significant capital raise and equity dilution we still do not consider JR West to be out of the woods and we have some concern about its ability to manage cash flow to meet its 35% dividend payout target.</p>

Even after completing its rather significant capital raise and equity dilution we still do not consider JR West to be out of the woods and we have some concern about its ability to manage cash flow to meet its 35% dividend payout target.

JR West – Lacking Advantages Compared to JR Kyushu

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/west-japan-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12077:1" rel="noopener">West Japan Railway Co (9021 JP)</a>  is one of the first three listed JR companies (along with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/east-japan-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14271:1" rel="noopener">East Japan Railway Co (9020 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/central-japan-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13520:1" rel="noopener">Central Japan Railway Co (9022 JP)</a>) and was always the smallest, in size and investor interest, until <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kyushu-railway-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23609:1" rel="noopener">Kyushu Railway Company (9142 JP)</a> came along. </p><p>JR West has "always" traded at a lower EV/EBITDA, EV/EBIT, and PER than a basket of its peers. For a long time that was due to lower ROAs and higher debt/EBITDA. Now ROAs have basically matched the basket of peers and so pre and post-covid, ROEs looked OK. </p><p>Covid hit hard. Inbound tourism fell, business travel fell, commuting use fell, costs didn't. Gross margins which had been 22-27% for most of the last 20 years fell below zero. Revenues fell by 40%. Four Zero Percent. That is huge for a transport utility.  This is the same story for all the rails, but more for some than others.   </p><p>The stock is down 50% from late 2019 highs. The question is whether that is enough. </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/227/967/original/Screenshot+2021-09-05+at+10.36.27+AM.png?1630809405" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="227967"></figure></section><p>Last week on 1 September, the company <a href="https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ir/news/2022/pdf/en_20210901.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> an offering of 51+mm shares including greenshoe, split 40/60 international/domestic. That is about 40 days volume and after the stock fell 15%, is worth about ¥260bn. </p><p>The company has a large number of retail shareholders, and a very heavy passive and cross-holding ownership. It has a relatively low active institutional ownership - domestic or foreign. </p><p>With the dividend down 40+% it still yields ~2% because of where the stock has fallen. Even better for some potential holders, the kabunushi yutai yield is 5+%, and up to 9% if one optimises (and rides the shinkansen, stays in hotels, and eats at restaurants in hotels). That may make it a selling point to some, but institutional investors don't get that benefit, so that aspect alone may not get all of the deal sold.</p><p>There is an interesting story of Historical Cheapness vs Supply vs Benefits along with large passive ownership and decent-to-large passive demand for the offering. </p><p>More below the fold. </p>

West Japan Railway Co (9021 JP)  is one of the first three listed JR companies (along with East Japan Railway Co (9020 JP) and Central Japan Railway Co (9022 JP)) and was always the smallest, in size and investor interest, until Kyushu Railway Company (9142 JP) came along. JR West has "always" traded at a lower EV/EBITDA, EV/EBIT, and PER than a basket of its peers. For a long time that was due to lower ROAs and higher debt/EBITDA. Now ROAs have basically matched the basket of peers and so pre and post-covid, ROEs looked OK. Covid hit hard. Inbound tourism fell, business travel fell, commuting use fell, costs didn't. Gross margins which had been 22-27% for most of the last 20 years fell below zero. Revenues fell by 40%. Four Zero Percent. That is huge for a transport utility.  This is the same story for all the rails, but more for some than others.   The stock is down 50% from late 2019 highs. The question is whether that is enough. Last week on 1 September, the company announced an offering of 51+mm shares including greenshoe, split 40/60 international/domestic. That is about 40 days volume and after the stock fell 15%, is worth about ¥260bn. The company has a large number of retail shareholders, and a very heavy passive and cross-holding ownership. It has a relatively low active institutional ownership - domestic or foreign. With the dividend down 40+% it still yields ~2% because of where the stock has fallen. Even better for some potential holders, the kabunushi yutai yield is 5+%, and up to 9% if one optimises (and rides the shinkansen, stays in hotels, and eats at restaurants in hotels). That may make it a selling point to some, but institutional investors don't get that benefit, so that aspect alone may not get all of the deal sold.There is an interesting story of Historical Cheapness vs Supply vs Benefits along with large passive ownership and decent-to-large passive demand for the offering. More below the fold. 

JR West (9021 JP) Offering - Supply Vs Yutai+Passive Demand

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/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/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/country-garden-services-holdings-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27343:1" rel="noopener">Country Garden Services Holdings (6098 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chow-tai-fook-jewellery-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:549:1" rel="noopener">Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (1929 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ind-comm-bk-of-china-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1119:1" rel="noopener">ICBC (H) (1398 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asm-pacific-technology-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15061:1" rel="noopener">ASM Pacific Technology (522 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 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>. Shorts increased in the Consumer Discretionary and Industrials sectors, while decreasing in Financials, Information Technology, Energy and Real Estate.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pharma-foods-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10530:1" rel="noopener">Pharma Foods International (2929 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cyberagent-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8197:1" rel="noopener">CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-yusen-kk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12285:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Yusen Kk (9101 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ebara-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4728:1" rel="noopener">Ebara Corp (6361 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/skylark-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:474:1" rel="noopener">Skylark Co Ltd (3197 JP)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kyushu-railway-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23609:1" rel="noopener">Kyushu Railway Company (9142 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/marui-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13604:1" rel="noopener">Marui Group (8252 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chugoku-electric-power-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16243:1" rel="noopener">Chugoku Electric Power Co (9504 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keihan-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6120:1" rel="noopener">Keihan Holdings Co., Ltd. (9045 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a>. Shorts decreased in almost all sectors led by Industrials, Materials, Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Consumer Staples.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hmm-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13494:1" rel="noopener">HMM Co., Ltd. (011200 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/doosan-heavy-industries-construction" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7389:1" rel="noopener">Doosan Heavy Industries &amp; Construction (034020 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-chem-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3583:1" rel="noopener">LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/posco-chemical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12421:1" rel="noopener">Posco Chemical Co Ltd (003670 KS)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a>, <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/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a>.</p></div><div><p>In Taiwan, shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/au-optronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6704:1" rel="noopener">AU Optronics (2409 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/innolux-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4509:1" rel="noopener">Innolux Corp (3481 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yang-ming-marine-transport" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8502:1" rel="noopener">Yang Ming Marine Transport (2609 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hannstar-display-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13922:1" rel="noopener">Hannstar Display (6116 TT)</a> while shorts covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chicony-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13085:1" rel="noopener">Chicony Electronics (2385 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chunghwa-telecom-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9181:1" rel="noopener">Chunghwa Telecom (2412 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/highwealth-construction-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6739:1" rel="noopener">Highwealth Construction (2542 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mediatek-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:772:1" rel="noopener">Mediatek Inc (2454 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/quanta-computer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2754:1" rel="noopener">Quanta Computer (2382 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), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK), Country Garden Services Holdings (6098 HK) and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (1929 HK) while there was short covering on ICBC (H) (1398 HK), ASM Pacific Technology (522 HK), Tencent (700 HK), PCCW Ltd (8 HK) and Sunny Optical (2382 HK). Shorts increased in the Consumer Discretionary and Industrials sectors, while decreasing in Financials, Information Technology, Energy and Real Estate.In Japan, stocks increased on Pharma Foods International (2929 JP), CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP), Nippon Yusen Kk (9101 JP), Ebara Corp (6361 JP) and Skylark Co Ltd (3197 JP) while there was short covering on Kyushu Railway Company (9142 JP), Marui Group (8252 JP), Chugoku Electric Power Co (9504 JP), Keihan Holdings Co., Ltd. (9045 JP) and Canon Inc (7751 JP). Shorts decreased in almost all sectors led by Industrials, Materials, Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Consumer Staples.In Korea, shorts increased on HMM Co., Ltd. (011200 KS), Doosan Heavy Industries &amp; Construction (034020 KS), LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS) and Posco Chemical Co Ltd (003670 KS) while shorts were covered on Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), SK Hynix (000660 KS) and Naver Corp (035420 KS).In Taiwan, shorts increased on AU Optronics (2409 TT), Yageo Corporation (2327 TT), Innolux Corp (3481 TT), Yang Ming Marine Transport (2609 TT) and Hannstar Display (6116 TT) while shorts covered on Chicony Electronics (2385 TT), Chunghwa Telecom (2412 TT), Highwealth Construction (2542 TT), Mediatek Inc (2454 TT) and Quanta Computer (2382 TT).

Asia Shorts: CGS, CTF, ASM Pac, PCCW, KyushuRail, Marui, HMM, Doosan, LG Chem, HMC, Yang Ming

<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/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ind-comm-bk-of-china-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1119:1" rel="noopener">ICBC (H) (1398 HK)</a>, <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhou-intl-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10415:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhou Intl Group Holdings (2313 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aia-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14895:1" rel="noopener">AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK)</a> while there was short covering 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/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/alibaba-health-information-technology-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:453:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Health Information Technology (241 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc. (9618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-international-capital-corporation-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1071:1" rel="noopener">China International Capital Corporation (3908 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in the Communication Services, Information Technology and Financials sectors, while decreasing in Health Care, Real Estate and Consumer Discretionary.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oriental-land-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13517:1" rel="noopener">Oriental Land (4661 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/nagoya-railroad-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8652:1" rel="noopener">Nagoya Railroad (9048 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/renesas-electronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15933:1" rel="noopener">Renesas Electronics (6723 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kyushu-railway-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23609:1" rel="noopener">Kyushu Railway Company (9142 JP)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monex-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14211:1" rel="noopener">Monex Group Inc (8698 JP)</a>, <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 Co (9501 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sharp-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:391:1" rel="noopener">Sharp Corp (6753 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/thk-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19572:1" rel="noopener">Thk Co Ltd (6481 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sbi-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10928:1" rel="noopener">SBI Holdings (8473 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in almost all sectors led by Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary and Industrials.</p></div><div>
<p>In Korea, shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-biologics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22932:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Biologics Co., (207940 KS)</a>, <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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-innovation-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1268:1" rel="noopener">SK Innovation (096770 KS)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hmm-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13494:1" rel="noopener">HMM Co., Ltd. (011200 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-electric-power-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16:1" rel="noopener">Korea Electric Power (015760 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/posco" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:208:1" rel="noopener">Posco (005490 KS)</a>.</p>
<p>In Taiwan, shorts increased 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/innolux-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4509:1" rel="noopener">Innolux Corp (3481 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wan-hai-lines-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14262:1" rel="noopener">Wan Hai Lines (2615 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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-cement" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19736:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Cement (1101 TT)</a> while shorts covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pegatron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12852:1" rel="noopener">Pegatron Corp (4938 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/walsin-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11084:1" rel="noopener">Walsin Technology (2492 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/foxconn-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11950:1" rel="noopener">Foxconn Technology (2354 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/global-unichip-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10305:1" rel="noopener">Global Unichip (3443 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhen-ding-technology-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16830:1" rel="noopener">Zhen Ding Technology Holding (4958 TT)</a>. Short notional in Taiwan is rising fast and outpacing the rise in the market.</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 Tencent (700 HK), ICBC (H) (1398 HK), Sunny Optical (2382 HK), Shenzhou Intl Group Holdings (2313 HK) and AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK) while there was short covering on Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Alibaba Health Information Technology (241 HK), JD.com Inc. (9618 HK) and China International Capital Corporation (3908 HK). Shorts increased in the Communication Services, Information Technology and Financials sectors, while decreasing in Health Care, Real Estate and Consumer Discretionary.In Japan, stocks increased on Oriental Land (4661 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP), Nagoya Railroad (9048 JP), Renesas Electronics (6723 JP) and Kyushu Railway Company (9142 JP) while there was short covering on Monex Group Inc (8698 JP), Tokyo Electric Power Co (9501 JP), Sharp Corp (6753 JP), Thk Co Ltd (6481 JP) and SBI Holdings (8473 JP). Shorts increased in almost all sectors led by Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary and Industrials.
In Korea, shorts increased on Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS), Samsung Biologics Co., (207940 KS), LG Display (034220 KS) and SK Innovation (096770 KS) while shorts were covered on HMM Co., Ltd. (011200 KS), Korea Electric Power (015760 KS), Celltrion Inc (068270 KS) and Posco (005490 KS).
In Taiwan, shorts increased on TSMC (2330 TT), Innolux Corp (3481 TT), Wan Hai Lines (2615 TT), United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT), Taiwan Cement (1101 TT) while shorts covered on Pegatron Corp (4938 TT), Walsin Technology (2492 TT), Foxconn Technology (2354 TT), Global Unichip (3443 TT) and Zhen Ding Technology Holding (4958 TT). Short notional in Taiwan is rising fast and outpacing the rise in the market.


Asia Shorts: Tencent, AIA, JD, CICC, Canon, Renesas, Monex, HMC, LGD, HMM, KEPCO, Innolux, Wan Hai

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

Japan Airport Terminal Co / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Investors rushed to buy <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-airport-terminal-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18034:1" rel="noopener">Japan Airport Terminal Co (9706 JP)</a>as the Go-To campaign in Japan showed early promise of success and the finding of the vaccine and drove the share price to increase by 65% in less than 6 months despite the loss-making 2 quarters, </p>
<p>With the new COVID-19 variant and the uncertainty whether the current vaccine can be used to treat the new mutation of the virus, and the possibly weak quarter ahead as the widespread COVID-19 cases in Japan has halted the Go-To campaign, investors should think it is an opportune time to start shorting <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-airport-terminal-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18034:1" rel="noopener">Japan Airport Terminal Co (9706 JP)</a> . In addition to that, the company is trading at a 93% premium to the peers' tangible book value multiples. </p>

Investors rushed to buy Japan Airport Terminal Co (9706 JP)as the Go-To campaign in Japan showed early promise of success and the finding of the vaccine and drove the share price to increase by 65% in less than 6 months despite the loss-making 2 quarters, 
With the new COVID-19 variant and the uncertainty whether the current vaccine can be used to treat the new mutation of the virus, and the possibly weak quarter ahead as the widespread COVID-19 cases in Japan has halted the Go-To campaign, investors should think it is an opportune time to start shorting Japan Airport Terminal Co (9706 JP) . In addition to that, the company is trading at a 93% premium to the peers' tangible book value multiples. 

Japan Airport Terminal (9706): Close Border Means Weak Revenues?

Japan

Kyushu Railway Company, doing business as JR Kyushu, offers transportation services. The Company provides passenger and railway freight services, as well as route, ticket, and time table information. JR Kyushu serves customers in Japan.

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Kyushu Railway (9142 JP)

JR West – Lacking Advantages Compared to JR Kyushu

Even after completing its rather significant capital raise and equity dilution JR West is still not out of the woods and we have some concern about...

Mio Kato

JR West (9021 JP) Offering - Supply Vs Yutai+Passive Demand

JR West surprised the market with an equity offering last Wednesday. It is JPY 260bn or so at current price and represents more than 20% EPS...

Travis Lundy

Asia Shorts: CGS, CTF, ASM Pac, PCCW, KyushuRail, Marui, HMM, Doosan, LG Chem, HMC, Yang Ming

The Insight looks at large short interest movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

Asia Shorts: Tencent, AIA, JD, CICC, Canon, Renesas, Monex, HMC, LGD, HMM, KEPCO, Innolux, Wan Hai

The Insight looks at large short interest movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

Japan Airport Terminal (9706): Close Border Means Weak Revenues?

With the new COVID-19 variant, uncertainty whether the vaccine is working, and possibly weak quarter as the COVID-19 in Japan increased halted the...

Henry Soediarko

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