Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities

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>Annual sales growth has dropped from 20% or more in recent years to 12.5% in FY Dec-23. The operating margin ticked up last year, but is basically trending sideways.</li>
<li>The share price has dropped by 35% since April 2023, bringing the projected P/E ratio down to the bottom of its 10-year range. Buy back in for the long term. </li>
<li>Guidance, which is usually accurate, is for 12.7% sales growth this year and an operating margin of 12.5%. Growth should continue in future years with flat or better margins.</li>
</ul>


Annual sales growth has dropped from 20% or more in recent years to 12.5% in FY Dec-23. The operating margin ticked up last year, but is basically trending sideways.
The share price has dropped by 35% since April 2023, bringing the projected P/E ratio down to the bottom of its 10-year range. Buy back in for the long term. 
Guidance, which is usually accurate, is for 12.7% sales growth this year and an operating margin of 12.5%. Growth should continue in future years with flat or better margins.


MonotaRO (3064 JP): Slowdown in the Price

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal was odd. They could have done 3. They did 2. For now, I see 2 IN and 2 OUT for the Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal.</li>
<li>There is also a capping event for Fast Retailing which on mild outperformance could become a double-capping event. </li>
<li>There is a bit of a tech bent to potential ADDs. Some Consumer Goods stocks need stock splits to get in. The Committee will regret not adding PPIH last time.</li>
</ul>


The Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal was odd. They could have done 3. They did 2. For now, I see 2 IN and 2 OUT for the Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal.
There is also a capping event for Fast Retailing which on mild outperformance could become a double-capping event. 
There is a bit of a tech bent to potential ADDs. Some Consumer Goods stocks need stock splits to get in. The Committee will regret not adding PPIH last time.


Quiddity Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Likely 2 IN, 2 OUT, Again; Minimal Surprise Factor

<ul>
<li>The Sep24 Nikkei 225 Review Results are out, discussed in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sep24-nikkei-225-review-results-a-slightly-baffling-2-in-2-out" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:157890" rel="noopener">Sep24 Nikkei 225 Review Results:  A Slightly Baffling 2 IN, 2 OUT</a>. </li>
<li>That lets us move to Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal predictions. For the moment, I see 2 IN and 2 OUT, again. </li>
<li>And at the moment, another Fast Retailing capping exercise looks likely, for roughly US$3bn a side to trade.</li>
</ul>


The Sep24 Nikkei 225 Review Results are out, discussed in Sep24 Nikkei 225 Review Results:  A Slightly Baffling 2 IN, 2 OUT. 
That lets us move to Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal predictions. For the moment, I see 2 IN and 2 OUT, again. 
And at the moment, another Fast Retailing capping exercise looks likely, for roughly US$3bn a side to trade.


Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal Predictions: Likely 2 IN, 2 OUT, Again; Minimal Surprise Factor

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Japan's markets have again failed to break to new highs creating a potential for a double-top pattern.</li>
<li>Trump's policies which target lower interest rates and a weaker dollar will put pressure on Japan's markets as can be seen from the high correlation between the JPY and TPX.</li>
<li>Sectors such as trading companies, autos and semiconductors could see the most pressure under a Trump presidency.</li>
</ul>


Japan's markets have again failed to break to new highs creating a potential for a double-top pattern.
Trump's policies which target lower interest rates and a weaker dollar will put pressure on Japan's markets as can be seen from the high correlation between the JPY and TPX.
Sectors such as trading companies, autos and semiconductors could see the most pressure under a Trump presidency.


Trump Trades and the JAPAN Market Are Like Oil and Vinegar

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei and Topix indexes advanced 1.36% and 2.11%, respectively, for the week.</li>
<li>Fujikura (5803): +18% - The Nikkei's reported $2.9bn Microsoft data center investment in Japan fuels optimism for fiber optic cable companies like Fujikura</li>
<li>Japan Steel Works (5631): +14% - JSW's shares continue their upward trend, fueled by optimism surrounding nuclear power and defense spending</li>
</ul>


The Nikkei and Topix indexes advanced 1.36% and 2.11%, respectively, for the week.
Fujikura (5803): +18% - The Nikkei's reported $2.9bn Microsoft data center investment in Japan fuels optimism for fiber optic cable companies like Fujikura
Japan Steel Works (5631): +14% - JSW's shares continue their upward trend, fueled by optimism surrounding nuclear power and defense spending


Japan Weekly | Fujikura, Monotaro, Japan Steel Works

Japan

MonotaRO Co., Ltd. mainly sells machine tools, engine parts, and factory consumable goods on the web site.

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MonotaRO Co Ltd (3064 JP)

MonotaRO (3064 JP): Slowdown in the Price

Share price down 35% since April 2023, discounting the transition to slower growth. Operating margin improving with price hikes and efficiency...

Scott Foster

Quiddity Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Likely 2 IN, 2 OUT, Again; Minimal Surprise Factor

The Quiddity March 2025 Nikkei 225 Rebal Leaderboard. I see 2 in, 2 out. $3bn a side except if Fast Retailing outperforms N225 by 3%, in which case...

Travis Lundy

Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal Predictions: Likely 2 IN, 2 OUT, Again; Minimal Surprise Factor

The Sep24 Nikkei 225 Review suggests Nikkei Index Committee "discretion" hinting at the scale of the next rebalance. The most interesting bit may...

Travis Lundy

Trump Trades and the JAPAN Market Are Like Oil and Vinegar

We pointed out that Japan's semi industry may be at risk as part of the "Trump Trade" sentiment. It turns out that Biden has already thrown...

David Mudd

Japan Weekly | Fujikura, Monotaro, Japan Steel Works

Japanese stock indexes rose last week, with Fujikura and Japan Steel Works seeing significant gains on positive news in tech and defense sectors.

Mark Chadwick

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

MonotaRO (3064 JP): Slowdown in the Price

Share price down 35% since April 2023, discounting the transition to slower growth. Operating margin improving with price hikes and efficiency...

Scott Foster

Quiddity Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal: Likely 2 IN, 2 OUT, Again; Minimal Surprise Factor

The Quiddity March 2025 Nikkei 225 Rebal Leaderboard. I see 2 in, 2 out. $3bn a side except if Fast Retailing outperforms N225 by 3%, in which case...

Travis Lundy

Mar25 Nikkei 225 Rebal Predictions: Likely 2 IN, 2 OUT, Again; Minimal Surprise Factor

The Sep24 Nikkei 225 Review suggests Nikkei Index Committee "discretion" hinting at the scale of the next rebalance. The most interesting bit may...

Travis Lundy

Trump Trades and the JAPAN Market Are Like Oil and Vinegar

We pointed out that Japan's semi industry may be at risk as part of the "Trump Trade" sentiment. It turns out that Biden has already thrown...

David Mudd

Japan Weekly | Fujikura, Monotaro, Japan Steel Works

​Japanese stock indexes rose last week, with Fujikura and Japan Steel Works seeing significant gains on positive news in tech and defense sectors.

Mark Chadwick

Japanese stock indexes rose last week, with Fujikura and Japan Steel Works seeing significant gains on positive news in tech and defense sectors.