Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Independent Insight Provider, 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

<p>Oracle Japan announced unusually poor 3Q results and unexciting guidance for FY May-21 as a whole. This was primarily due to the collapse of Cloud &amp; On-Premise License revenues. Drastic cost cutting saved the bottom line.</p><p>Both the results and guidance compare unfavorably with those of the parent company, Oracle Corporation. Japan is simply not one of Oracle's better markets. </p><p>Oracle Japan is considerably more expensive than Oracle Corp., much less profitable, and notably illiquid. We see no reason to own it. </p>

Oracle Japan announced unusually poor 3Q results and unexciting guidance for FY May-21 as a whole. This was primarily due to the collapse of Cloud &amp; On-Premise License revenues. Drastic cost cutting saved the bottom line.Both the results and guidance compare unfavorably with those of the parent company, Oracle Corporation. Japan is simply not one of Oracle's better markets. Oracle Japan is considerably more expensive than Oracle Corp., much less profitable, and notably illiquid. We see no reason to own it. 

Oracle Japan (4716 JP): What's Going Down?

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p></div><div>
<p>Friday's 'best' and 'worst' larger-cap announcements came from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hamamatsu-photonics-kk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14074:1" rel="noopener">Hamamatsu Photonics (6965 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oracle-corp-japan" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16787:1" rel="noopener">Oracle Japan (4716 JP)</a>.  For more, see the<strong> DETAIL</strong> section below.</p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/196/070/original/image?1616365750" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="196070"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/196/069/original/image?1616365750" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="196069"></figure>
</div><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •
Friday's 'best' and 'worst' larger-cap announcements came from Hamamatsu Photonics (6965 JP) and Oracle Japan (4716 JP).  For more, see the DETAIL section below.

Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/​​​19 - Hamamatsu Photonics & Oracle Japan

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p><p>Our best and worst pair from yesterday is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hirose-electric-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13513:1" rel="noopener">Hirose Electric (6806 JP)</a> with a 41% upward revision to interim operating income, and leisure and travel conglomerate <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seibu-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:458:1" rel="noopener">Seibu (9024 JP)</a> which revised down both for the interim and full-year, the latter scoring a maximum negative -30.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/161/651/original/2020-09-25_06-15-33.png?1600982296" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="161651"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/161/652/original/2020-09-25_06-14-28.png?1600982419" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="161652"></figure><p></p><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DAILY STATS </strong></p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/161/650/original/2020-09-25_06-07-47.png?1600981686" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="161650"></figure><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oracle-corp-japan" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16787:1" rel="noopener">Oracle Japan (4716 JP)</a></strong>- Seasonally, the first quarter is the low point of Oracle's annual cycle following the fourth quarter high. This first quarter was unusually subdued as revenue growth was flat for the second quarter in a row. As revenues slow to a single-digit pace, the company has focused on cost reductions, resulting in a Q1 year-on-year 50bps operating margin improvement. OJ is becoming more of an annuity. As such and noting the ¥225b in Net Financial Assets on the Balance Sheet and no debt, it is time for another extraordinary dividend.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/161/653/original/2020-09-25_06-29-09.png?1600982967" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="161653"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/161/654/original/2020-09-25_06-28-42.png?1600983014" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="161654"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/161/655/original/2020-09-25_06-33-14.png?1600983265" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="161655"></figure><hr><div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><br>12 Annual • 13 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The trend in forecasts and revisions has turned down again - only four of 25 announcements made yesterday scored positively and the average score change was -11: -</p>
</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><p><strong>Annual Forecast/Revision Score:</strong> 17% Positive / 0% Neutral / 83% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> 15% Positive / 8% Neutral / 77% Negative</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change:</strong> -11.2 points</p></li>
</ul></div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •Our best and worst pair from yesterday is Hirose Electric (6806 JP) with a 41% upward revision to interim operating income, and leisure and travel conglomerate Seibu (9024 JP) which revised down both for the interim and full-year, the latter scoring a maximum negative -30.Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsDAILY STATS Oracle Japan (4716 JP)- Seasonally, the first quarter is the low point of Oracle's annual cycle following the fourth quarter high. This first quarter was unusually subdued as revenue growth was flat for the second quarter in a row. As revenues slow to a single-digit pace, the company has focused on cost reductions, resulting in a Q1 year-on-year 50bps operating margin improvement. OJ is becoming more of an annuity. As such and noting the ¥225b in Net Financial Assets on the Balance Sheet and no debt, it is time for another extraordinary dividend.
 12 Annual • 13 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
The trend in forecasts and revisions has turned down again - only four of 25 announcements made yesterday scored positively and the average score change was -11: -

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 17% Positive / 0% Neutral / 83% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 15% Positive / 8% Neutral / 77% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -11.2 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/​​​​​​​​​​​​24 - A Quieter Oracle, Hirose, Shippers, NGK, Seibu

Quality-first, Business-perspective Strategy, Urbem (HK) Limited

Steven Chen

Quality-first, Business-perspective Strategy

<ul class="">
<li>We view Warren Buffett's move to invest in Japan's largest trading companies as being indicative of the lack of reasonably-valued opportunities in the US as well as the size disadvantage of Berkshire Hathaway;</li>
<li>While being in no place to judge the superinvestor's investment decision, we find better investment targets to "participate in the future of Japan," especially for those who manage a smaller AUM than Berkshire;</li>
<li>In this article, we list one superior-quality business that serves the backbone of Japan's economy (i.e., the SMEs);</li>
<li>Our investment strategy concentrates on quality from a business perspective and seeks long-term opportunities with a 10%-15% hurdle rate.</li>
</ul>


We view Warren Buffett's move to invest in Japan's largest trading companies as being indicative of the lack of reasonably-valued opportunities in the US as well as the size disadvantage of Berkshire Hathaway;
While being in no place to judge the superinvestor's investment decision, we find better investment targets to "participate in the future of Japan," especially for those who manage a smaller AUM than Berkshire;
In this article, we list one superior-quality business that serves the backbone of Japan's economy (i.e., the SMEs);
Our investment strategy concentrates on quality from a business perspective and seeks long-term opportunities with a 10%-15% hurdle rate.


One "Better" Quality Pick to Consider to Participate in the Future of Japan

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>Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain cautious and concerned that global equities remain vulnerable and could be poised for additional weakness moving forward. Major indexes around the world continue to do next to nothing, making Sector, Group, and stock selection all the more important. We prefer to use a barbell strategy of growth and safety. Attractive and actionable themes highlighted in today’s report include IT Services/Tech Software, Communications, Precious Metals, and Utilities.</p>

Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain cautious and concerned that global equities remain vulnerable and could be poised for additional weakness moving forward. Major indexes around the world continue to do next to nothing, making Sector, Group, and stock selection all the more important. We prefer to use a barbell strategy of growth and safety. Attractive and actionable themes highlighted in today’s report include IT Services/Tech Software, Communications, Precious Metals, and Utilities.

Global Equity Strategy: Stay on the Defensive

Japan

CAPCOM CO., LTD. develops consumer video game software.  The Company also develops, manufactures, markets, and leases arcade game machines.  Capcom also operates amusement facilities.

Trend Micro Incorporated develops and markets anti-virus computer software and internet security software.  The Company also sells its products in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Konami Holdings Corporation provides digital entertainment, health and fitness and gaming products. The Company develops and sells video games, mobile games and computer games, gaming machines, pachislot and pachinko machines, and fitness machines as well as operates health and fitness clubs.

SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD. develops and sells entertainment software for home video game consoles including Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy series. The Company also publishes books such as informational guide books for its game software, and comic magazines and books.  Additionally, Square Enix sells character goods and stationery items from its software products.

OBIC Business Consultants Co.,Ltd. develops and markets business solution packaged software. The Company's products include software for accounting, banking, wage calculation, sales management, inventory control, and tax calculation. OBIC Business Consultants Co Ltd. also provides support and training services.

Koei Tecmo Holdings Co.,Ltd. is a holding company which was established through the merger of Koei Co., Ltd. and Tecmo Ltd. The Company develops and distributes video game software for personal computers and home video game consoles. The Company also operates other media business such as marketing of books and CDs and amusement facility operation.

Nexon Co., Ltd. mainly develops and services, online games for PC and mobile devices. The company also offers consulting services related to online-games. Nexon operates in Japan.

FUJI SOFT INCORPORATED is an independent software developer, specializing in communications and machine control software, business application software for bank and insurance companies, and operating system software.  Fuji Soft also installs, manages, and maintains computer systems.  The Company develops and sells word processing packaged software and also provides internet service.

Money Forward, Inc. develops mobile application software. The Company produces automatic household account book softwares, household account book application softwares, and other products. Money Forward also provides personal financial management, cloud based accounting solutions, and other services.

Sansan, Inc. provides mobile application software solutions. The Company offers business card management service by scanning the cards from scanner and smartphone. Sansan provides its services throughout Japan.

Xero Limited offers an online accounting system.  The software features bank transaction importing, a cashbook, a general ledger, invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, and management of expense claims.

Aspen Technology, Inc. provides software solutions. The Company offers asset optimization software that optimizes asset design, operations, and maintenance in complex, industrial environments to enable organizations to meet their business goals for sustainability and profitability. Aspen Technology serves customers worldwide.

Paycom Software Inc provides cloud-based HCM software solution delivered as Software-as-a-Service.  The Company provides functionality and data analytics that businesses need to manage the complete employment life cycle from recruitment to retirement.

International Games System Co., Ltd. plans, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets software and hardware for arcade games, PC games, and Internet on-line games.

Manhattan Associates, Inc. provides information technology solutions for distribution centers.  The solutions are designed to enable the efficient movement of goods through the supply chain.  The Company's solutions optimize the receipt, storage, and distribution of inventory, as well as manage equipment and personnel within a distribution center.

Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd. provides comprehensive information technology solutions to the financial services industry worldwide. The Company provides transaction processing and accounting software for banks, investment managers and mutual funds. Oracle Financial also provides internet delivery of financial services as well as business intelligence and analytical applications.

Globant S.A. is a software solutions company. The Company provides engineering, design, and innovation services for clients throughout North America and Europe.

Guidewire Software Inc. develops and publishes enterprise software for the property and casualty insurance industry. The Company's software supports the workflow, collaboration with external partners, and rule-based decision-making that characterize modern underwriting and claims operations.

IFLYTEK Co., Ltd. specializes in speech intelligence and artificial intelligence technology.  The company also develops chip product, voice messaging software and e-government system integration software.

Altium Limited develops electronic design automation (EDA) software for the Microsoft Windows operating system.  Altium's products facilitate and aid in the design of electronic products such as printed circuit boards.  The Group's products are utilized by telecommunications, automotive, defense, science and consumer electronics industries.

ORACLE CORPORATION JAPAN sells a variety of software, including database management system software, application development tools, decision-making support tools, and business related applications.  The Company also provides support services for users.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Oracle Corp Japan (4716 JP)

Oracle Japan (4716 JP): What's Going Down?

Oracle Japan reported unusually poor 3Q results and weak full-year guidance, underperforming Oracle Corp by a wide margin. It is also more...

Scott Foster

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/19 - Hamamatsu Photonics & Oracle Japan

• BEST & WORST • Friday's 'best' and 'worst' larger-cap announcements came from Hamamatsu Photonics (6965 JP) and Oracle Japan (4716 JP). For...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/24 - A Quieter Oracle, Hirose, Shippers, NGK, Seibu

• BEST WORST • DAILY STATS

Campbell Gunn

One "Better" Quality Pick to Consider to Participate in the Future of Japan

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway

Steven Chen

Global Equity Strategy: Stay on the Defensive

Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain...

Vermilion Research

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Oracle Japan (4716 JP): What's Going Down?

Oracle Japan reported unusually poor 3Q results and weak full-year guidance, underperforming Oracle Corp by a wide margin. It is also more...

Scott Foster

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/​​​19 - Hamamatsu Photonics & Oracle Japan

• BEST & WORST • Friday's 'best' and 'worst' larger-cap announcements came from Hamamatsu Photonics (6965 JP) and Oracle Japan (4716 JP). For...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/​​​​​​​​​​​​24 - A Quieter Oracle, Hirose, Shippers, NGK, Seibu

• BEST WORST • DAILY STATS

Campbell Gunn

One "Better" Quality Pick to Consider to Participate in the Future of Japan

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway

Steven Chen

Global Equity Strategy: Stay on the Defensive

Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain...

Vermilion Research

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/19 - Hamamatsu Photonics & Oracle Japan

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 09/24 - A Quieter Oracle, Hirose, Shippers, NGK, Seibu