Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Aqila Ali

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

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nidec-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7245:1">Nidec Corp (6594 JP)</a> is currently trading at JPY13,375 per share which is almost 13% above its 12-month low of JPY11,800 per share. The company’s share price reached an all-time high of JPY17,260 in February 2018, however, it has declined slightly since then. This could be due to the low performance of the stock markets in general, along with the company’s lacklustre performance during the recent FY (FY03/19 slow growth in revenue at +2.0% YoY, OP down -17.1% YoY, OPM at 9.1% cf. 11.2% during FY03/18) due to structural changes in its business. Nidec is known to operate stable businesses and holds solid shares in the markets in which it operates. The company, however, recognising that the market for small precision motors for Hard Disk Drive (HDDs) is in decline,  has decided to reform its business structure to capitalise on the following growth drivers for each of their already steady business segments:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong><em>Automotive Electrification and Autonomous driving trends</em></strong> to drive the Automotive business segment</li>
<li>
<strong><em>Expected introduction of 5G communication</em></strong> to streamline growth of big data driving the Small Precision Motors Segment via demand for data servers and in turn HDDs</li>
<li>
<strong><em>Growing trend of ‘Power saving’</em></strong> while using electrical appliances (home and commercial purposes): Introduction and successful mass production of brushless motors to support growth in the Small Precision Motors segment and the Appliance, Commercial and Industrial Products business segment (is also called the Appliance Segment for short in this Insight). Hopes to introduce the technology for the Automotive Product segment as well</li>
<li>
<strong><em>Industry 4.0, automation and robotisation</em></strong> to drive Machinery segment</li>
</ul>
<p>Nidec’s business reformation efforts during FY03/19 to capitalise on these drivers have resulted in an increase in expenses during the year hurting the overall profitability of the company. Apart from this, unfavourable currency movements also added to the negative impact on profits.  However, we believe the downside for Nidec is limited as the expenses for business restructuring are temporary and should not continue over the next financial year or beyond. Nidec’s business is now structured in a way that its three main segments, namely, the Small Precision, Automotive and Appliance businesses are each expected to bring in JPY600bn worth revenue or more by FY03/21. The Automotive segment is specifically targeted to bring at most JPY 1 trn in revenue backed by the growing trends toward autonomous driving and electrification alongside Nidec’s continuing spree of acquisitions. The JPY 1 trn target looks a bit challenging to achieve given the current Automotive segment revenue of about JPY300bn. However, Nidec is known for its inorganic growth and expects to hit this target mainly through M&amp;A, of which Omron Automotive Electronics has been the most recent acquisition. We believe the acquisition of Omron’s Automotive business followed by two or three similar deals alongside other key growth prospects in the Automotive Product space should help revenue reach close to 80% of the JPY 1 trn target. However, in our opinion the company’s midterm target revenue of JPY2 trn could be achieved supported by the strong contribution from the Appliance segment.</p>
<p>According to our analysis, Nidec operates solid businesses with relatively impressive ROE and attractive long-term growth prospects. However, we believe, the market has already factored most of this into its share price. Therefore, we believe Nidec is worth looking at on the long side if its management continues to find value-adding M&amp;A deals which complement its existing lines of business and new business opportunities.</p>

Nidec Corp (6594 JP) is currently trading at JPY13,375 per share which is almost 13% above its 12-month low of JPY11,800 per share. The company’s share price reached an all-time high of JPY17,260 in February 2018, however, it has declined slightly since then. This could be due to the low performance of the stock markets in general, along with the company’s lacklustre performance during the recent FY (FY03/19 slow growth in revenue at +2.0% YoY, OP down -17.1% YoY, OPM at 9.1% cf. 11.2% during FY03/18) due to structural changes in its business. Nidec is known to operate stable businesses and holds solid shares in the markets in which it operates. The company, however, recognising that the market for small precision motors for Hard Disk Drive (HDDs) is in decline,  has decided to reform its business structure to capitalise on the following growth drivers for each of their already steady business segments:


Automotive Electrification and Autonomous driving trends to drive the Automotive business segment

Expected introduction of 5G communication to streamline growth of big data driving the Small Precision Motors Segment via demand for data servers and in turn HDDs

Growing trend of ‘Power saving’ while using electrical appliances (home and commercial purposes): Introduction and successful mass production of brushless motors to support growth in the Small Precision Motors segment and the Appliance, Commercial and Industrial Products business segment (is also called the Appliance Segment for short in this Insight). Hopes to introduce the technology for the Automotive Product segment as well

Industry 4.0, automation and robotisation to drive Machinery segment

Nidec’s business reformation efforts during FY03/19 to capitalise on these drivers have resulted in an increase in expenses during the year hurting the overall profitability of the company. Apart from this, unfavourable currency movements also added to the negative impact on profits.  However, we believe the downside for Nidec is limited as the expenses for business restructuring are temporary and should not continue over the next financial year or beyond. Nidec’s business is now structured in a way that its three main segments, namely, the Small Precision, Automotive and Appliance businesses are each expected to bring in JPY600bn worth revenue or more by FY03/21. The Automotive segment is specifically targeted to bring at most JPY 1 trn in revenue backed by the growing trends toward autonomous driving and electrification alongside Nidec’s continuing spree of acquisitions. The JPY 1 trn target looks a bit challenging to achieve given the current Automotive segment revenue of about JPY300bn. However, Nidec is known for its inorganic growth and expects to hit this target mainly through M&amp;A, of which Omron Automotive Electronics has been the most recent acquisition. We believe the acquisition of Omron’s Automotive business followed by two or three similar deals alongside other key growth prospects in the Automotive Product space should help revenue reach close to 80% of the JPY 1 trn target. However, in our opinion the company’s midterm target revenue of JPY2 trn could be achieved supported by the strong contribution from the Appliance segment.
According to our analysis, Nidec operates solid businesses with relatively impressive ROE and attractive long-term growth prospects. However, we believe, the market has already factored most of this into its share price. Therefore, we believe Nidec is worth looking at on the long side if its management continues to find value-adding M&amp;A deals which complement its existing lines of business and new business opportunities.

Our First Look at Nidec: Too Good To Short

'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

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong> - Following on from our review of Spring Market  &amp; Sector Aggregates &amp; Scores <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-spring-results-revisions-market-sector-aggregates-scores-2nd-quarter" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:29938">Insight</a>, this Insight will cover the cap-weighted Results &amp; Revision Scores for the 328 Peer Groups that comprise our 30 Sectors and provide greater depth to our analysis of current business trends.  Peer Group definitions reflect both standard SIC/GICS classifications as well as local market conventions. The number of constituents and market capitalisation for each Peer Group varies widely. A full list of the Peer Groups within each sector is provided below. </p><p>As an appetiser, the charts below show the top and bottom ten Peer Groups ranked by Results &amp; Revision Score.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/088/989/original/2019-05-28_11-43-58.png?1559011506" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="88989"></figure><div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/088/991/original/2019-05-28_11-46-04.png?1559011726" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="88991"></figure><p>Source: Japan Analytics</p>
</div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we list the top and bottom twenty Peer Groups ranked by Results &amp; Revision Score and the top and bottom twenty most-changed over the last three months as well the most optimistic and most pessimistic.  </p></div>

INTRODUCTION - Following on from our review of Spring Market  &amp; Sector Aggregates &amp; Scores Insight, this Insight will cover the cap-weighted Results &amp; Revision Scores for the 328 Peer Groups that comprise our 30 Sectors and provide greater depth to our analysis of current business trends.  Peer Group definitions reflect both standard SIC/GICS classifications as well as local market conventions. The number of constituents and market capitalisation for each Peer Group varies widely. A full list of the Peer Groups within each sector is provided below. As an appetiser, the charts below show the top and bottom ten Peer Groups ranked by Results &amp; Revision Score.
Source: Japan Analytics
In the DETAIL section below, we list the top and bottom twenty Peer Groups ranked by Results &amp; Revision Score and the top and bottom twenty most-changed over the last three months as well the most optimistic and most pessimistic.  

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Spring Results & Revision Scores - Peer Groups

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>We believe the S&amp;P 500, STOXX Europe 600, MSCI ACWI ex-U.S., EAFE, and MSCI China are pulling back to support at their prior breakout levels -- levels we believe will hold<em>. </em>Tech remains our favorite Sector globally. Additional attractive cyclical areas in which to add exposure at current levels include Financials in Europe, autos and auto parts stocks, and casinos and gaming in Macau... <em>see report for a technical appraisal of all major markets and a collection of actionable stocks.</em></p>

We believe the S&amp;P 500, STOXX Europe 600, MSCI ACWI ex-U.S., EAFE, and MSCI China are pulling back to support at their prior breakout levels -- levels we believe will hold. Tech remains our favorite Sector globally. Additional attractive cyclical areas in which to add exposure at current levels include Financials in Europe, autos and auto parts stocks, and casinos and gaming in Macau... see report for a technical appraisal of all major markets and a collection of actionable stocks.

Global Equity Strategy: Major Indexes at Logical Support

<p>Our positive outlook on global equities (both the MSCI ACWI and ACWI ex-US) remains intact and we believe a “buy the dip” strategy is warranted. We recommend taking advantage of recent weakness -- where applicable -- by adding exposure to cyclical Sectors.<strong> </strong>Today’s recommendations focus on autos, auto parts, and machinery which span the Consumer Discretionary and Manufacturing Sectors. </p>

Our positive outlook on global equities (both the MSCI ACWI and ACWI ex-US) remains intact and we believe a “buy the dip” strategy is warranted. We recommend taking advantage of recent weakness -- where applicable -- by adding exposure to cyclical Sectors. Today’s recommendations focus on autos, auto parts, and machinery which span the Consumer Discretionary and Manufacturing Sectors. 

Global Equity Strategy: Overweight Cyclicals

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/347/original/2019-04-20_09-59-40.png?1555722056" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85347"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>UnCh</strong> - Japanese equities are unchanged in US dollar terms over both three and six months. The Bank of Japan has intervened on 42 of the 121 trading days since October 22nd or an average of 1.6 times a week as foreigners remain underweight. As corporate results and macro data continue to disappoint, the outlook for the market is muted ahead of the upcoming ten-day holiday which combines the traditional Golden Week holidays with the accession of the new Emperor and the beginning of the Reiwa era (令和時代).  </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/405/original/2019-04-21_07-28-03.png?1555799330" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85405"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Investing.com</div><p><strong>CURRENCY RISK?</strong> - "UnCh" also applies to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/22826" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22826:1">JPY (USDJPY CURNCY)</a>  Implied volatility for 9-month USDJPY options reached a new 25-year low last week of 6.11. The previous two lows were in 2006 and 2015 and were followed by periods of sustained Yen strength. The equity market currently appears to be discounting precisely the opposite.   </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/350/original/2019-04-20_10-21-58.png?1555723331" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85350"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>VTR</strong> - The ratio of the value of stocks traded to the total market value continues to decline. The average for 2019 is 11% below that for the same period last year and is unchanged at 39bps in each month year-to-date.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/381/original/2019-04-20_14-34-11.png?1555738458" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85381"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>VOLUME SCORE TIMELINE</strong> - Volumes have been highest in the <strong>Internet</strong>, <strong>Retail</strong>, and<strong> Telecoms</strong> sectors, while the <strong>Materials</strong>,<strong> Transportation</strong>, <strong>Utilities</strong> and<strong> Real Estate</strong> Sectors have seen the lowest.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/352/original/2019-04-20_10-29-59.png?1555723806" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85352"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>LOWS &gt; HIGHS</strong> - With a deficit of positive news at the individual company level, the number of new 52-week highs has exceeded the number of new 52-week lows on only one-third of the last 31 trading days. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/363/original/2019-04-20_12-34-06.png?1555731278" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85363"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>DRIFTING LOWER</strong> - TTM and Forecasts Aggregate Operating and Net Income continue to drift lower ahead of the full-year results for March year-end companies which are due in a more-concentrated-than-usual period either side of the long break.   </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/384/original/2019-04-20_17-30-47.png?1555749055" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85384"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics <p></p>
</div><p><strong>MIND THE GAP</strong> - Based on our Scoring methodology for aggregate Results &amp; Revisions, the 'gap' between total market value and earnings momentum is now as wide as at the two previous 'peaks' in January 2018 and September 2018.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/435/original/File%202019-04-21%2015%2055%2018.jpeg?1555829876" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85435"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Bank of America Merrill Lynch</div><p><strong>GLOBAL WAVE</strong> - The market is implying that the earnings cycle is close to a bottom which is in accord with BAML's Global Earnings Revision Ratio having ticked up last month for the first time in 14 months. BAML has yet to call a Trough in their Global Wave and, were they to do so, such a Trough would be the first above '50' since 2006.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/378/original/2019-04-20_14-00-43.png?1555736454" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85378"></figure><p><strong>FORECASTS LEADING EARNINGS LOWER</strong> - Separating our the Results Score and the Forecast &amp; Revision Score, the latter is continuing to lead the former to the downside, although both Scores are in aggregate still positive. Reported earnings and forecasts are still growing year-on-year; however, the momentum is slowing rapidly.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/085/379/original/2019-04-20_14-04-23.png?1555736670" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="85379"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>INTERIM LEADING ANNUAL LOWER</strong> -  Between February and September in each year, there is a statistically significant number of Interim Forecasts that they can be compared to the Annual Forecasts with which they are combined to derive the score in the previous chart. Interim Forecasts are often prepared by the divisional heads are not accorded the same 'reverence' as the Annual Forecasts. As a result, the Interim numbers offer a good leading indicator of short-term trends. In recent weeks, the aggregate Interim Forecast/Revision Score has turned sharply lower and is now at the lowest point in almost two years.   </p><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we will review Sector performance, company results, revisions and stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/14191" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14191:1">Koshidaka (2157 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/2765" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2765:1">Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)</a>, <strong>Drugstores</strong>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/237" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:237:1">Daiwa House (1925 JP)</a>, <strong>Toyota Parts companies</strong>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2:1">Yamato Holdings (9064 JP)</a>.</p>

Source: Japan AnalyticsUnCh - Japanese equities are unchanged in US dollar terms over both three and six months. The Bank of Japan has intervened on 42 of the 121 trading days since October 22nd or an average of 1.6 times a week as foreigners remain underweight. As corporate results and macro data continue to disappoint, the outlook for the market is muted ahead of the upcoming ten-day holiday which combines the traditional Golden Week holidays with the accession of the new Emperor and the beginning of the Reiwa era (令和時代).  Source: Investing.comCURRENCY RISK? - "UnCh" also applies to JPY (USDJPY CURNCY)  Implied volatility for 9-month USDJPY options reached a new 25-year low last week of 6.11. The previous two lows were in 2006 and 2015 and were followed by periods of sustained Yen strength. The equity market currently appears to be discounting precisely the opposite.   Source: Japan AnalyticsVTR - The ratio of the value of stocks traded to the total market value continues to decline. The average for 2019 is 11% below that for the same period last year and is unchanged at 39bps in each month year-to-date.Source: Japan AnalyticsVOLUME SCORE TIMELINE - Volumes have been highest in the Internet, Retail, and Telecoms sectors, while the Materials, Transportation, Utilities and Real Estate Sectors have seen the lowest.Source: Japan AnalyticsLOWS &gt; HIGHS - With a deficit of positive news at the individual company level, the number of new 52-week highs has exceeded the number of new 52-week lows on only one-third of the last 31 trading days. Source: Japan AnalyticsDRIFTING LOWER - TTM and Forecasts Aggregate Operating and Net Income continue to drift lower ahead of the full-year results for March year-end companies which are due in a more-concentrated-than-usual period either side of the long break.   Source: Japan Analytics 
MIND THE GAP - Based on our Scoring methodology for aggregate Results &amp; Revisions, the 'gap' between total market value and earnings momentum is now as wide as at the two previous 'peaks' in January 2018 and September 2018.Source: Bank of America Merrill LynchGLOBAL WAVE - The market is implying that the earnings cycle is close to a bottom which is in accord with BAML's Global Earnings Revision Ratio having ticked up last month for the first time in 14 months. BAML has yet to call a Trough in their Global Wave and, were they to do so, such a Trough would be the first above '50' since 2006.FORECASTS LEADING EARNINGS LOWER - Separating our the Results Score and the Forecast &amp; Revision Score, the latter is continuing to lead the former to the downside, although both Scores are in aggregate still positive. Reported earnings and forecasts are still growing year-on-year; however, the momentum is slowing rapidly.Source: Japan AnalyticsINTERIM LEADING ANNUAL LOWER -  Between February and September in each year, there is a statistically significant number of Interim Forecasts that they can be compared to the Annual Forecasts with which they are combined to derive the score in the previous chart. Interim Forecasts are often prepared by the divisional heads are not accorded the same 'reverence' as the Annual Forecasts. As a result, the Interim numbers offer a good leading indicator of short-term trends. In recent weeks, the aggregate Interim Forecast/Revision Score has turned sharply lower and is now at the lowest point in almost two years.   In the DETAIL section below, we will review Sector performance, company results, revisions and stock performance over the previous two weeks, as well as adding some brief comments on Koshidaka (2157 JP), Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP), Drugstores, Daiwa House (1925 JP), Toyota Parts companies, and Yamato Holdings (9064 JP).

🇯🇵 Japan • Fortnightly Update - "UnCh"

Japan

NIDEC CORPORATION is the world's leading manufacturer of small precision motors mainly used in HDD and optical disk drives. The company has extended its focus to the home appliance and automotive markets. NIDEC is active in M&A and its subsidiaries include the world's leading manufacturers of LCD panel handling robots and camera shutters.

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Nidec Corp (6594 JP)

Our First Look at Nidec: Too Good To Short

Nidec Corp (6594 JP) is currently trading at JPY13,375 per share which is almost 13% above its 12-month low of JPY11,800 per share. The company’s...

Aqila Ali

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Spring Results & Revision Scores - Peer Groups

INTRODUCTION - Following on from our review of Spring Market & Sector Aggregates & Scores Insight, this Insight will cover the...

Campbell Gunn

Global Equity Strategy: Major Indexes at Logical Support

We believe the S&P 500, STOXX Europe 600, MSCI ACWI ex-U.S., EAFE, and MSCI China are pulling back to support at their prior breakout levels --...

Vermilion Research

Global Equity Strategy: Overweight Cyclicals

Our positive outlook on global equities (both the MSCI ACWI and ACWI ex-US) remains intact and we believe a “buy the dip” strategy is warranted. We...

Vermilion Research

🇯🇵 Japan • Fortnightly Update - "UnCh"

UnCh - Japanese equities are unchanged in US dollar terms over both three and six months. The Bank of Japan has intervened on 42 of the 121 trading...

Campbell Gunn

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