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

TSE Tokyo Price Index TOPIX / Technical Analysis

<ul>
<li>The MSCI ACWI index ACWI-US briefly fell below major support at $90.50-$91.50, though we do not consider it a "decisive" breakdown and we now see a false breakdown (bullish).</li>
<li>On MSCI ACWI (local currency), a false breakdown appears to already be in place, which is bullish as long as the index does not break to a new low.</li>
<li>MSCI EM (EEM-US) continues to hold above $36.50-$37 support, while MSCI ACWI ex-US (ACWX-US) and EAFE (EFA-US) remain above supports at $45 and $65-$66, respectively. Pullback is likely over.</li>
</ul>


The MSCI ACWI index ACWI-US briefly fell below major support at $90.50-$91.50, though we do not consider it a "decisive" breakdown and we now see a false breakdown (bullish).
On MSCI ACWI (local currency), a false breakdown appears to already be in place, which is bullish as long as the index does not break to a new low.
MSCI EM (EEM-US) continues to hold above $36.50-$37 support, while MSCI ACWI ex-US (ACWX-US) and EAFE (EFA-US) remain above supports at $45 and $65-$66, respectively. Pullback is likely over.


Japan Bullishly Inflecting; Constructive Outlook Intact; Global Pullback Likely Over

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Seijo Ishii is Japan’s leading premium supermarket chain with some 200 stores and is being prepped for an IPO by its owner, Lawson. </li>
<li>After strong growth during Covid, sales have now flattened and the company’s large import business has suffered from higher costs due to the weak Yen and global crises.</li>
<li>To maintain its market position, it is reducing imports of packaged goods and increasing volumes of imported, high-end raw materials – and then manufacturing products itself.</li>
</ul>


Seijo Ishii is Japan’s leading premium supermarket chain with some 200 stores and is being prepped for an IPO by its owner, Lawson. 
After strong growth during Covid, sales have now flattened and the company’s large import business has suffered from higher costs due to the weak Yen and global crises.
To maintain its market position, it is reducing imports of packaged goods and increasing volumes of imported, high-end raw materials – and then manufacturing products itself.


Lawson: Seijo Ishii Producing at Home to Beat Inflation and Weak Yen

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS. SPX +0.7% with all sectors in the green ahead of expected soft CPI print on Wed; Oil strong with weaker USD; MSFT wins as Activision purchase progresses</li>
<li>JAPAN. NKY Futures +0.4% vs Cash; USDJPY 140.3; Markets start coalesing around BOJ policy shift; TSE kicks out 48 companies from Prime listing; Big Earnings Beat from Lawson(2651)</li>
<li>NUGGET. Building a global semi-supply chain is a central tenet of Japan's industrial policy. We think focusing on short term cyclical semi-weakness risks missing out on the home runs</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS. SPX +0.7% with all sectors in the green ahead of expected soft CPI print on Wed; Oil strong with weaker USD; MSFT wins as Activision purchase progresses
JAPAN. NKY Futures +0.4% vs Cash; USDJPY 140.3; Markets start coalesing around BOJ policy shift; TSE kicks out 48 companies from Prime listing; Big Earnings Beat from Lawson(2651)
NUGGET. Building a global semi-supply chain is a central tenet of Japan's industrial policy. We think focusing on short term cyclical semi-weakness risks missing out on the home runs


Ohayo Japan|Equities Bid Ahead of CPI Print; NUGGET:China Semi Derisking - The Winner Is…Yes, Japan!

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS.  SPX -0.4%  1st down day  7 as Markets price in Peak rates/rate declines;  SPX Looks risky here(More BELOW); China revamps NEV subsidies; Putin places tactical Nukes in Belarus..mmm</li>
<li>JAPAN. NKY Futs flat vs Cash;  USDJPY 141.8 post-BOJ on Friday;  NKY wins for 10th week; Kishida survives no-confidence motion; TEPCO goes full into Renewables; Lawsons makes a China push</li>
<li>NUGGET. SBI HD(8473) - Carbon Trading, Jumping in Early in what sets up to be a major opportunity</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS.  SPX -0.4%  1st down day  7 as Markets price in Peak rates/rate declines;  SPX Looks risky here(More BELOW); China revamps NEV subsidies; Putin places tactical Nukes in Belarus..mmm
JAPAN. NKY Futs flat vs Cash;  USDJPY 141.8 post-BOJ on Friday;  NKY wins for 10th week; Kishida survives no-confidence motion; TEPCO goes full into Renewables; Lawsons makes a China push
NUGGET. SBI HD(8473) - Carbon Trading, Jumping in Early in what sets up to be a major opportunity


Ohayo Japan | US Equities-Risks Elevated? ; NUGGET: SBI HD(8473)-Carbon Trading, Jumping in Early

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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Last week, shareholders of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> rejected all four of the board nominees proposed by ValueAct.</li>
<li>ValueAct, seeing their higher vote count as a modest success, sent a letter to Seven &amp; I, requesting a resumption of discussions despite the failed attempt to remove senior leadership.</li>
<li>We think the company is unlikely to seriously consider Value Act's proposals any longer, indicating the end of the investor activism campaign.</li>
</ul>


Last week, shareholders of Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) rejected all four of the board nominees proposed by ValueAct.
ValueAct, seeing their higher vote count as a modest success, sent a letter to Seven &amp; I, requesting a resumption of discussions despite the failed attempt to remove senior leadership.
We think the company is unlikely to seriously consider Value Act's proposals any longer, indicating the end of the investor activism campaign.


Seven & I: ValueAct's Proposals Unlikely to Be Considered, Investor Activism Effectively Over

Japan

LAWSON, INC. operates a chain of convenience stores in Japan. The Company sells a variety of products including fast food, beverages, snacks, magazines, newspapers, and sundry goods.

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Lawson Inc (2651 JP)

Japan Bullishly Inflecting; Constructive Outlook Intact; Global Pullback Likely Over

The MSCI $ACWI briefly fell below our $90.50 support but quickly reclaimed, suggesting a false breakdown and the likely end to this pullback in...

Vermilion Research

Lawson: Seijo Ishii Producing at Home to Beat Inflation and Weak Yen

Japan's leading premium supermarket chain, Seijo Ishii, is preparing for an IPO. To stay competitive, the company is reducing imports while...

Michael Causton

Ohayo Japan|Equities Bid Ahead of CPI Print; NUGGET:China Semi Derisking - The Winner Is…Yes, Japan!

SPX bid ahead of CPI as soft landing narrarive dominates; NKY Futures +0.4% vs Cash; USDJPY 140.3; Markets start coalesing around BOJ policy shift;...

Mark Chadwick

Ohayo Japan | US Equities-Risks Elevated? ; NUGGET: SBI HD(8473)-Carbon Trading, Jumping in Early

US Equities looks more RISK than reward to us; NKY Futs flat vs Cash; USDJPY 141.8 post-BOJ on Friday; NKY wins for 10th week; Kishida survives...

Mark Chadwick

Seven & I: ValueAct's Proposals Unlikely to Be Considered, Investor Activism Effectively Over

ValueAct, despite failed leadership removal attempt, requests discussions, but Seven & I is unlikely to consider proposals further, suggesting the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japan Bullishly Inflecting; Constructive Outlook Intact; Global Pullback Likely Over

​The MSCI $ACWI briefly fell below our $90.50 support but quickly reclaimed, suggesting a false breakdown and the likely end to this pullback in...

Vermilion Research

Lawson: Seijo Ishii Producing at Home to Beat Inflation and Weak Yen

​Japan's leading premium supermarket chain, Seijo Ishii, is preparing for an IPO. To stay competitive, the company is reducing imports while...

Michael Causton

Ohayo Japan|Equities Bid Ahead of CPI Print; NUGGET:China Semi Derisking - The Winner Is…Yes, Japan!

SPX bid ahead of CPI as soft landing narrarive dominates; NKY Futures +0.4% vs Cash; USDJPY 140.3; Markets start coalesing around BOJ policy shift;...

Mark Chadwick

Ohayo Japan | US Equities-Risks Elevated? ; NUGGET: SBI HD(8473)-Carbon Trading, Jumping in Early

US Equities looks more RISK than reward to us; NKY Futs flat vs Cash; USDJPY 141.8 post-BOJ on Friday; NKY wins for 10th week; Kishida survives...

Mark Chadwick

Seven & I: ValueAct's Proposals Unlikely to Be Considered, Investor Activism Effectively Over

ValueAct, despite failed leadership removal attempt, requests discussions, but Seven & I is unlikely to consider proposals further, suggesting the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

The MSCI $ACWI briefly fell below our $90.50 support but quickly reclaimed, suggesting a false breakdown and the likely end to this pullback in...

Japan's leading premium supermarket chain, Seijo Ishii, is preparing for an IPO. To stay competitive, the company is reducing imports while...