'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/693/original/2020-09-14_09-50-37.png?1600044664" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158693"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables except as stated: Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>EQUITY-DRIVEN</strong> - Japan's aggregate Shareholders' Equity has appreciated by 45% since 2014 - an annual rate of 5.5% and has been one of the key achievements of the 'Abe era'. For the five years before 2012, Shareholders Equity was unchanged, buffeted by the 2008/9 financial crisis and the 3/11.  Although the equity market has responded well to the change in reserves, Japan's PBR has remained within a range of 1.05 to 1.38 over the last decade and is unchanged compared to 2010. In prior post-bubble 'lost' decades, the average PBR was 1.8 times. In other markets, the rise of intangible assets has called the use of Book/Price as a metric and the S&amp;P 500 PBR is now almost three times that of the Japan aggregate having bottomed at 1.78 in March 2009.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/694/original/File%202020-09-14%2010%2007%2037.jpeg?1600045681" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158694"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: multpl.com</div><p><strong>BOOK VALUE PER SHARE </strong>- In this Insight, we shall look at Japan's larger-cap companies (current market value &gt;¥100 billion) through the 'lens' of book value per share. Our focus will be less on the 'winners' and 'losers' than on those companies that have seen the least change in 'BVPS' over the last seven years. Our share count excludes treasury shares which is to the benefit of companies such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-telegraph-telephone-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:623:1" rel="noopener">NTT (9432 JP)</a> which has seen a 20% reduction in Net Shares Outstanding, but only a 9% increase in Shareholders' Equity. A BVPS growth metric does, however, flatter serial issuers of equity with declining share prices, such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sosei-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:770:1" rel="noopener">Sosei (4565 JP)</a>.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/696/original/2020-09-14_10-26-48.png?1600046818" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158696"></figure><p><strong>WINNERS</strong> - As many may ask and for the record, our 'winning' thirty companies contains many of Japan's best-performing businesses and 'priciest 'stocks, such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monotaro-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15441:1" rel="noopener">Monotaro (3064 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/m3-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13316:1" rel="noopener">M3 (2413 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gmo-payment-gateway-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1492:1" rel="noopener">GMO Payment Gateway (3769 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kobe-bussan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4701:1" rel="noopener">Kobe Bussan (3038 JP)</a>. Some of the more surprising entries are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mixi-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:602:1" rel="noopener">mixi (2121 JP)</a> and <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 (9501 JP)</a>.  As an equally-weighted portfolio, this group has outperformed by 30% over one year and by 11% over the last three months.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/697/original/2020-09-14_10-33-13.png?1600047204" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158697"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/698/original/2020-09-14_10-33-41.png?1600047231" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158698"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/701/original/2020-09-14_10-47-56.png?1600048087" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158701"></figure><p><strong>LOSERS</strong> - Our list of losers, who have collectively underperformed by 9% over one year, have many of Japan's weaker business models (shipping, oil &amp; gas, paper, copiers, gaming machines. The list also features some of the less-astute management 'teams' (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba (6502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissan-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:72:1" rel="noopener">Nissan (7201 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kirin-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16977:1" rel="noopener">Kirin (2503 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lixil-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:454:1" rel="noopener">Lixil (5938 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon (8267 JP)</a>).  Also among the latter are two medical-related business - the now remained <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/h-u-group-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16580:1" rel="noopener">H.U. Group (4544 JP)</a> (formerly Miraca) and recent Bain PE target <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nichii-gakkan-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6790:1" rel="noopener">Nichii Gakkan (9792 JP)</a>.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/706/original/2020-09-14_10-57-45.png?1600048692" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158706"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/707/original/2020-09-14_10-59-22.png?1600048774" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158707"></figure><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below, we all review the large companies that have seen the least change in BVPS over the last seven years and those with the lowest BVPS volatility over the same period. Our lists contain quite a few surprises.</p>

Source for all charts &amp; tables except as stated: Japan AnalyticsEQUITY-DRIVEN - Japan's aggregate Shareholders' Equity has appreciated by 45% since 2014 - an annual rate of 5.5% and has been one of the key achievements of the 'Abe era'. For the five years before 2012, Shareholders Equity was unchanged, buffeted by the 2008/9 financial crisis and the 3/11.  Although the equity market has responded well to the change in reserves, Japan's PBR has remained within a range of 1.05 to 1.38 over the last decade and is unchanged compared to 2010. In prior post-bubble 'lost' decades, the average PBR was 1.8 times. In other markets, the rise of intangible assets has called the use of Book/Price as a metric and the S&amp;P 500 PBR is now almost three times that of the Japan aggregate having bottomed at 1.78 in March 2009.Source: multpl.comBOOK VALUE PER SHARE - In this Insight, we shall look at Japan's larger-cap companies (current market value &gt;¥100 billion) through the 'lens' of book value per share. Our focus will be less on the 'winners' and 'losers' than on those companies that have seen the least change in 'BVPS' over the last seven years. Our share count excludes treasury shares which is to the benefit of companies such as NTT (9432 JP) which has seen a 20% reduction in Net Shares Outstanding, but only a 9% increase in Shareholders' Equity. A BVPS growth metric does, however, flatter serial issuers of equity with declining share prices, such as Sosei (4565 JP).WINNERS - As many may ask and for the record, our 'winning' thirty companies contains many of Japan's best-performing businesses and 'priciest 'stocks, such as Monotaro (3064 JP), M3 (2413 JP), GMO Payment Gateway (3769 JP), and Kobe Bussan (3038 JP). Some of the more surprising entries are mixi (2121 JP) and Tokyo Electric Power (9501 JP).  As an equally-weighted portfolio, this group has outperformed by 30% over one year and by 11% over the last three months.LOSERS - Our list of losers, who have collectively underperformed by 9% over one year, have many of Japan's weaker business models (shipping, oil &amp; gas, paper, copiers, gaming machines. The list also features some of the less-astute management 'teams' (Toshiba (6502 JP), Nissan (7201 JP), Kirin (2503 JP), Lixil (5938 JP), and Aeon (8267 JP)).  Also among the latter are two medical-related business - the now remained H.U. Group (4544 JP) (formerly Miraca) and recent Bain PE target Nichii Gakkan (9792 JP).In the DETAIL section below, we all review the large companies that have seen the least change in BVPS over the last seven years and those with the lowest BVPS volatility over the same period. Our lists contain quite a few surprises.

🇯🇵 Japan • Every Shareholder Left Behind - The Book Value Per Share Metric

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Event-Driven

<p>Last week, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the US private equity firm Carlyle Group intends to invest over ¥1.0 trillion in Japan over the next five years. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/mio-kato" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mio Kato</a> has suggested three potential candidates based on Carlyle’s previous investments in Japan - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/a-d-company-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A&amp;D (7745 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujio-food-system-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12242:1" rel="noopener">Fujio Food System (2752 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-oil-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4035:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Oil (2607 JP)</a>. In this Insight, we review Fuji Oil, a food materials company, in which <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu (8001 JP)</a> has a 38.5% stake (an increase from 33.2% in March 2020).</p>

Last week, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the US private equity firm Carlyle Group intends to invest over ¥1.0 trillion in Japan over the next five years. Mio Kato has suggested three potential candidates based on Carlyle’s previous investments in Japan - A&amp;D (7745 JP), Fujio Food System (2752 JP), and Fuji Oil (2607 JP). In this Insight, we review Fuji Oil, a food materials company, in which Itochu (8001 JP) has a 38.5% stake (an increase from 33.2% in March 2020).

Fuji Oil In Itochu's Industry Consolidation Plans?

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

<div>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/devi-subhakesan" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1913" rel="noopener">Devi Subhakesan</a> mentioned in her report in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/indofood-cbp-icbp-ij-us-3bn-acqsn-of-affiliate-dizzy-valuation-earnings-dilution" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39793" rel="noopener">Indofood CBP (ICBP IJ): US$ 3Bn Acqsn. Of Affiliate - Dizzy Valuation, Earnings Dilution</a> that the deal is not exactly value-accretive for the shareholders due to the expensive multiples that the company pays and the overleveraged in the balance sheet that further burden the net income. The flip side is that as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> mentioned in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/indofood-cbp-sukses-icbp-ij-going-global-with-instant-noodles" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41873" rel="noopener">Indofood CBP Sukses (ICBP IJ) - Going Global with Instant Noodles</a> is that it has expanded its horizon to outside Indonesia and becomes an Emerging Market Consumer Staple play. </div>
<div></div>
<div>Compared to other Asian noodle makers, Indofood is the second cheapest in PER (after Ottogi), second-highest gross margin (after Nissin Foods), highest EBITDA, and Net income margin. While</div>
<div>
<p>compared to the EM consumer stocks, Indofood CBP is 48% cheaper in PER, 60% cheaper in EV/EBITDA, 72% cheaper in PBR, 4% higher in gross margin, 23% higher in EBITDA margin although net income margin is 3% lower. </p>
<p>The fact that Indofood CBP will be on the radar for Global EM consumer fund managers and potentially some ETFs at a cheaper valuation to the peers could bring some inflow, driving the multiples higher. </p>
<p>Indofood CBP is still trading at lower share price to pre-COVID-19 and still undervalued versus the other noodle makers and global EM staple peers by a wide margin. Buy. </p>
</div>


Devi Subhakesan mentioned in her report in Indofood CBP (ICBP IJ): US$ 3Bn Acqsn. Of Affiliate - Dizzy Valuation, Earnings Dilution that the deal is not exactly value-accretive for the shareholders due to the expensive multiples that the company pays and the overleveraged in the balance sheet that further burden the net income. The flip side is that as Angus Mackintosh mentioned in Indofood CBP Sukses (ICBP IJ) - Going Global with Instant Noodles is that it has expanded its horizon to outside Indonesia and becomes an Emerging Market Consumer Staple play. 

Compared to other Asian noodle makers, Indofood is the second cheapest in PER (after Ottogi), second-highest gross margin (after Nissin Foods), highest EBITDA, and Net income margin. While

compared to the EM consumer stocks, Indofood CBP is 48% cheaper in PER, 60% cheaper in EV/EBITDA, 72% cheaper in PBR, 4% higher in gross margin, 23% higher in EBITDA margin although net income margin is 3% lower. 
The fact that Indofood CBP will be on the radar for Global EM consumer fund managers and potentially some ETFs at a cheaper valuation to the peers could bring some inflow, driving the multiples higher. 
Indofood CBP is still trading at lower share price to pre-COVID-19 and still undervalued versus the other noodle makers and global EM staple peers by a wide margin. Buy. 


Indofood (ICBP): Undervalued and Will Attract New Types of Investors

<div>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissin-foods-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nissin Foods (2897 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyo-suisan-kaisha-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16752:1" rel="noopener">Toyo Suisan (2875 JP)</a> share 40% and 20%, respectively, of Japan’s ¥607 billion instant noodle market which has seen compound average volume growth of 0.7% over the last ten years. Cup-type instant noodles has grown 1.5% by volume, while the bagged instant noodles have declined by 1.1%.</div>
<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/140/833/original/image_13870583021592490736757.png?1592490735" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="140833"></figure>
Source: Company Disclosures</div>
<div>Globally, Japan has the sixth-highest per capita instant noodles consumption at 3.7 servings a month - behind South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Nepal. Demographics and increasing health awareness are likely to constrain future volume growth and pricing is becoming an increasingly important factor. Nissin, and to a lesser extent, and Toyo Suisan, have increased average unit prices by introducing new products and flavours. Additionally, the average price of cup-type noodles is 61% higher than bagged instant noodles.</div>
<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/140/834/original/image_88461963631592490839479.png?1592490838" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="140834"></figure>
Source: Company Disclosures</div>
<p>Nissin and Toyo Suisan are currently trading at the higher end of their respective valuation ranges, Therefore, we are reluctant to recommend a long position in either company, however, a short position in Toyo Suisan could be considered given the prospect of continued margin deterioration in the domestic instant noodles segment over the next few years.</p>


Nissin Foods (2897 JP) and Toyo Suisan (2875 JP) share 40% and 20%, respectively, of Japan’s ¥607 billion instant noodle market which has seen compound average volume growth of 0.7% over the last ten years. Cup-type instant noodles has grown 1.5% by volume, while the bagged instant noodles have declined by 1.1%.


Source: Company Disclosures
Globally, Japan has the sixth-highest per capita instant noodles consumption at 3.7 servings a month - behind South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Nepal. Demographics and increasing health awareness are likely to constrain future volume growth and pricing is becoming an increasingly important factor. Nissin, and to a lesser extent, and Toyo Suisan, have increased average unit prices by introducing new products and flavours. Additionally, the average price of cup-type noodles is 61% higher than bagged instant noodles.


Source: Company Disclosures
Nissin and Toyo Suisan are currently trading at the higher end of their respective valuation ranges, Therefore, we are reluctant to recommend a long position in either company, however, a short position in Toyo Suisan could be considered given the prospect of continued margin deterioration in the domestic instant noodles segment over the next few years.

Evolving Competition in Japan's Instant Noodles Market: Toyo Suisan Vs Nissin Foods

<ul>
<li>Japanese consumer goods company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meiji-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15996:1" rel="noopener">Meiji Holdings (2269 JP)</a> issued a <a href="https://www.release.tdnet.info/inbs/ek/140120200611442767.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a> on Friday (12<sup>th</sup> June 2020) stating that the company is considering a stock split to boost liquidity and capital injection by investors.</li>
<li>The company previously conducted a two for one stock split on 1<sup>st</sup> October 2015. The share price rallied as much as 17.9% in the two days following Meiji’s announcement of its 2015 stock split.</li>
<li>We believe Meiji had genuine reasons for its previous stock split, whereas the explanation for the current considering stock split is not convincing. We explain our reasons below.</li>
</ul>


Japanese consumer goods company Meiji Holdings (2269 JP) issued a press release on Friday (12th June 2020) stating that the company is considering a stock split to boost liquidity and capital injection by investors.
The company previously conducted a two for one stock split on 1st October 2015. The share price rallied as much as 17.9% in the two days following Meiji’s announcement of its 2015 stock split.
We believe Meiji had genuine reasons for its previous stock split, whereas the explanation for the current considering stock split is not convincing. We explain our reasons below.


Meiji Holdings: Considering a Stock Split

Japan

NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS CO.,LTD. produces instant noodle and processed food products.  The Company also develops pharmaceuticals.  NISSIN FOODS operates production facilities in overseas countries including Hong Kong, India, U.S., Singapore, and other countries.

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Nissin Foods Holdings (2897 JP)

Fuji Oil In Itochu's Industry Consolidation Plans?

Last week, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the US private equity firm Carlyle Group intends to invest over ¥1.0 trillion in Japan over the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Indofood (ICBP): Undervalued and Will Attract New Types of Investors

Devi Subhakesan mentioned in her report in Indofood CBP (ICBP IJ): US$ 3Bn Acqsn. Of Affiliate - Dizzy Valuation, Earnings Dilution that the deal...

Henry Soediarko

Evolving Competition in Japan's Instant Noodles Market: Toyo Suisan Vs Nissin Foods

Nissin Foods (2897 JP) and Toyo Suisan (2875 JP) share 40% and 20%, respectively, of Japan’s ¥607 billion instant noodle market which has seen...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Meiji Holdings: Considering a Stock Split

Japanese consumer goods company Meiji Holdings (2269 JP) issued a press release on Friday (12th June 2020) stating that the company is considering...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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🇯🇵 Japan • Every Shareholder Left Behind - The Book Value Per Share Metric

EQUITY-DRIVEN - Japans

Campbell Gunn

Fuji Oil In Itochu's Industry Consolidation Plans?

Last week, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the US private equity firm Carlyle Group intends to invest over ¥1.0 trillion in Japan over the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Indofood (ICBP): Undervalued and Will Attract New Types of Investors

Devi Subhakesan mentioned in her report in Indofood CBP (ICBP IJ): US$ 3Bn Acqsn. Of Affiliate - Dizzy Valuation, Earnings Dilution that the deal...

Henry Soediarko

Evolving Competition in Japan's Instant Noodles Market: Toyo Suisan Vs Nissin Foods

Nissin Foods (2897 JP) and Toyo Suisan (2875 JP) share 40% and 20%, respectively, of Japan’s ¥607 billion instant noodle market which has seen...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Meiji Holdings: Considering a Stock Split

Japanese consumer goods company Meiji Holdings (2269 JP) issued a press release on Friday (12th June 2020) stating that the company is considering...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri