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

EURO STOXX 50 Price EUR / Technical Analysis

<p>Our intermediate-term outlook remains constructive with major support levels holding on the broad global indexes (MSCI ACWI, ACWI ex-US, EM, and EAFE). Still, we continue to see some reason for caution as various market dynamics have deteriorated, leading us to a more neutral outlook in the near-term.</p>

Our intermediate-term outlook remains constructive with major support levels holding on the broad global indexes (MSCI ACWI, ACWI ex-US, EM, and EAFE). Still, we continue to see some reason for caution as various market dynamics have deteriorated, leading us to a more neutral outlook in the near-term.

'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)

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• EARNINGS MOMENTUM TURNS POSITIVE •</strong></p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/535/original/2021-02-14_09-01-24.png?1613260898" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188535"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></section><p><strong>POSITIVE EARNINGS MOMENTUM</strong> - For the first time in just over one year and driven by a strong recovery in the index-heavy <strong>Auto</strong> Sector, our Market Composite Results &amp; Revision Score - a measure of earnings momentum - has turned positive. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office Leading Indicator of Business Conditions which is indexed to August 2015, has yet to rise above 100 and declined by 120 basis points for December.</p><section class="figure"><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/537/original/2021-02-14_08-23-29.png?1613262285" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188537"></figure></section><p><strong>SECTOR BREAKDOWN</strong> - The leading Sectors, as measured by the change in Results &amp; Revision Score, are<strong> Other Commercial Products</strong>, <strong>Autos</strong>, <strong>Metals</strong>, <strong>Building Materials</strong>, and <strong>Other Consumer Products</strong>. The laggards are <strong>Utilities</strong>, <strong>Internet</strong>, <strong>Food</strong>, <strong>Beverages &amp; Tobacco</strong>, <strong>Retail</strong>, and <strong>Commercial Services</strong>. As in other markets, cyclicals leading the recovery, and, as a result, driving Japan's indices to new multi-decade highs.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/538/original/2021-02-14_08-22-44.png?1613262793" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188538"></figure></section><p><strong>FORWARD VALUATIONS</strong> - While the trailing Market Composite PER remain above 30 times,  a ¥7.6 trillion increase in forecast Net Income from the low point if 2020, has reduced the forward multiple to 28.2 times. By the end of May, most March year-end companies will have made forecasts for the year to March 2022 - a decline to below 25 times is likely, assuming Total Market Value is at current levels.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/539/original/2021-02-14_08-14-17.png?1613262839" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188539"></figure></section><p><strong>ALL-TIME US$ HIGH &lt;10% AWAY</strong> - While much is being written about the new thirty-year high for the TOPIX index, many will have missed the proximity of TOPIX in US dollars terms to a new all-time high, which would occur with a combined 9.5% increase in the equity market and the Yen. A 4.3% rise in TOPIX and a USDJPY rate of 100 is all that is required and would be a welcome feather in the cap of the recently beleaguered PM Suga's cap. </p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/540/original/2021-02-14_10-05-46.png?1613264814" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188540"></figure></section><p><strong>RSI &gt;80</strong> - Tempering the current bullishness are the RSI of over 80 and a Toraku index close to 120. Both suggest near-term caution is warranted.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/541/original/2021-02-14_10-15-17.png?1613265332" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188541"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/542/original/2021-02-14_10-20-42.png?1613265721" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188542"></figure></section><hr></section><p style="text-align: center;"><br><strong>• RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS SUMMARY - 12th FEBRUARY •</strong></p><div><p>Of Friday's 723 results announcements, 64% scored positively for earnings momentum despite trailing revenues falling by 3% on average and a 3.9 point decline in operating margins. 17% of companies were in the red for the quarter.  63% of the 360 annual forecasts/revision announcements scored positively, and the average Forecast/Revision score was +10.3 points.</p></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p></div><div>
<p>The 'best' larger-cap announcements came from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamaha-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7411:1" rel="noopener">Yamaha Motor (7272 JP)</a>,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-post-bank-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:838:1" rel="noopener">Japan Post Bank (7182 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toppan-printing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11875:1" rel="noopener">Toppan Printing (7911 JP)</a>; the 'worst' were from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/otsuka-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12292:1" rel="noopener">Otsuka Holdings (4578 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sumitomo-dainippon-pharma-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1935:1" rel="noopener">Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma (4506 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lion-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16576:1" rel="noopener">Lion (4912 JP)</a>.  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pola-orbis-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2287:1" rel="noopener">Pola Orbis (4927 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asahi-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10482:1" rel="noopener">Asahi Group (2502 JP)</a> take the prizes for optimism.  For more, see the <strong>DETAIL</strong> section below.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/605/original/2021-02-15_06-00-48.png?1613336460" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188605"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/606/original/2021-02-15_06-01-37.png?1613336511" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188606"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/608/original/2021-02-15_06-05-12.png?1613336726" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188608"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/610/original/2021-02-15_06-05-57.png?1613336771" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188610"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/611/original/2021-02-15_06-06-35.png?1613336808" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188611"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/612/original/2021-02-15_06-07-12.png?1613336846" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188612"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/613/original/2021-02-15_06-10-36.png?1613337047" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188613"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/188/615/original/2021-02-15_06-11-21.png?1613337091" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="188615"></figure></section><p></p>
</div>

• EARNINGS MOMENTUM TURNS POSITIVE •Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan AnalyticsPOSITIVE EARNINGS MOMENTUM - For the first time in just over one year and driven by a strong recovery in the index-heavy Auto Sector, our Market Composite Results &amp; Revision Score - a measure of earnings momentum - has turned positive. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office Leading Indicator of Business Conditions which is indexed to August 2015, has yet to rise above 100 and declined by 120 basis points for December.SECTOR BREAKDOWN - The leading Sectors, as measured by the change in Results &amp; Revision Score, are Other Commercial Products, Autos, Metals, Building Materials, and Other Consumer Products. The laggards are Utilities, Internet, Food, Beverages &amp; Tobacco, Retail, and Commercial Services. As in other markets, cyclicals leading the recovery, and, as a result, driving Japan's indices to new multi-decade highs.
FORWARD VALUATIONS - While the trailing Market Composite PER remain above 30 times,  a ¥7.6 trillion increase in forecast Net Income from the low point if 2020, has reduced the forward multiple to 28.2 times. By the end of May, most March year-end companies will have made forecasts for the year to March 2022 - a decline to below 25 times is likely, assuming Total Market Value is at current levels.
ALL-TIME US$ HIGH &lt;10% AWAY - While much is being written about the new thirty-year high for the TOPIX index, many will have missed the proximity of TOPIX in US dollars terms to a new all-time high, which would occur with a combined 9.5% increase in the equity market and the Yen. A 4.3% rise in TOPIX and a USDJPY rate of 100 is all that is required and would be a welcome feather in the cap of the recently beleaguered PM Suga's cap. 
RSI &gt;80 - Tempering the current bullishness are the RSI of over 80 and a Toraku index close to 120. Both suggest near-term caution is warranted.
 • RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS SUMMARY - 12th FEBRUARY •Of Friday's 723 results announcements, 64% scored positively for earnings momentum despite trailing revenues falling by 3% on average and a 3.9 point decline in operating margins. 17% of companies were in the red for the quarter.  63% of the 360 annual forecasts/revision announcements scored positively, and the average Forecast/Revision score was +10.3 points.• BEST &amp; WORST •
The 'best' larger-cap announcements came from Yamaha Motor (7272 JP),  Japan Post Bank (7182 JP), and Toppan Printing (7911 JP); the 'worst' were from Otsuka Holdings (4578 JP), Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma (4506 JP), and Lion (4912 JP).  Pola Orbis (4927 JP) and Asahi Group (2502 JP) take the prizes for optimism.  For more, see the DETAIL section below.



🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market & Results & Revisions Update 02/12 • Yamaha Motor, J Post Bank, Otsuka & Lion

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a> delivered strong 4Q20 results yesterday with revenue and operating profit surpassing consensus estimates by ¥5.1bn and ¥19.5bn respectively.</li>
<li>The company’s revenue declined 6.2% YoY in 4Q20, compared to 17.1%, 34.4% and 16.3% in 1Q20, 2Q20 and 3Q20 respectively.</li>
<li>Shiseido made an operating profit of ¥6.1bn in the seasonally weak 4<sup>th</sup> quarter compared to the consensus operating loss estimate of ¥13.4bn.</li>
<li>The company’s October and November 2020 performance was above its expectations as the China business performed exceptionally well during the singles day sales period. However, the momentum decelerated from December 2020 onwards due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in Japan and the rest of the world.</li>
<li>Nonetheless, the share price rallied over 16% during the last couple of weeks on news regarding the disposal of the personal care business.</li>
</ul>



Shiseido Company (4911 JP) delivered strong 4Q20 results yesterday with revenue and operating profit surpassing consensus estimates by ¥5.1bn and ¥19.5bn respectively.
The company’s revenue declined 6.2% YoY in 4Q20, compared to 17.1%, 34.4% and 16.3% in 1Q20, 2Q20 and 3Q20 respectively.
Shiseido made an operating profit of ¥6.1bn in the seasonally weak 4th quarter compared to the consensus operating loss estimate of ¥13.4bn.
The company’s October and November 2020 performance was above its expectations as the China business performed exceptionally well during the singles day sales period. However, the momentum decelerated from December 2020 onwards due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in Japan and the rest of the world.
Nonetheless, the share price rallied over 16% during the last couple of weeks on news regarding the disposal of the personal care business.


<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kose-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18009:1" rel="noopener">Kose Corp (4922 JP)</a> delivered 3QFY21 results on 29<sup>th</sup> Friday with revenue and operating profit surpassing consensus estimates by 1.8% and 10.9% respectively. Kose's revenue declined just 5.6% YoY in 3QFY21, compared to 26.5% and 21.2% YoY in 1QFY21 and 2QFY21 respectively.</p><p>The company’s 3QFY21 operating profit was ¥7.1bn, compared to ¥1.1bn in 1QFY21 and ¥2.9bn in 2QFY21. Travel Retail (TR) and E-Commerce (EC) continued to perform well with 46.3% and 34.3% YoY revenue growth in 3QFY21. (TR – 26.1% YoY in 1HFY21, EC – 52.5% YoY in 1HFY21)</p><p>However, Kose lowered its FY21 revenue and OP guidance by 2.3% and 24.4% respectively, because of the new measures introduced to curtail the third wave of COVID-19.</p>

Kose Corp (4922 JP) delivered 3QFY21 results on 29th Friday with revenue and operating profit surpassing consensus estimates by 1.8% and 10.9% respectively. Kose's revenue declined just 5.6% YoY in 3QFY21, compared to 26.5% and 21.2% YoY in 1QFY21 and 2QFY21 respectively.The company’s 3QFY21 operating profit was ¥7.1bn, compared to ¥1.1bn in 1QFY21 and ¥2.9bn in 2QFY21. Travel Retail (TR) and E-Commerce (EC) continued to perform well with 46.3% and 34.3% YoY revenue growth in 3QFY21. (TR – 26.1% YoY in 1HFY21, EC – 52.5% YoY in 1HFY21)However, Kose lowered its FY21 revenue and OP guidance by 2.3% and 24.4% respectively, because of the new measures introduced to curtail the third wave of COVID-19.

Kose: China and E-Commerce Propels Kose’s Performance Towards the Pre-Pandemic Level

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a> delivered 3QFY21 results today, (28<sup>th</sup> January 2021) which saw operating profit increase by 6.5% YoY to ¥3.8bn (consensus ¥3.97bn). The company’s revenue was down 2.1% YoY, compared to consensus estimated growth rate of 0.7% YoY. Fancl lowered its FY21 revenue and OP guidance by 4.2% and 11.5% respectively, because of the additional measures introduced to curtail the rapid spread of COVID-19.</li>
<li>These negative factors are likely to impact the entire domestic cosmetics industry. However, Fancl is better placed among other Japanese cosmetic players, perhaps excluding <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12933:1" rel="noopener">Kao Corp (4452 JP)</a>, to face these challenging times, through Fancl's significantly greater exposure to the online and catalogue retail sales channel and diversification into the nutritional supplements business.</li>
</ul>



Fancl Corp (4921 JP) delivered 3QFY21 results today, (28th January 2021) which saw operating profit increase by 6.5% YoY to ¥3.8bn (consensus ¥3.97bn). The company’s revenue was down 2.1% YoY, compared to consensus estimated growth rate of 0.7% YoY. Fancl lowered its FY21 revenue and OP guidance by 4.2% and 11.5% respectively, because of the additional measures introduced to curtail the rapid spread of COVID-19.
These negative factors are likely to impact the entire domestic cosmetics industry. However, Fancl is better placed among other Japanese cosmetic players, perhaps excluding Kao Corp (4452 JP), to face these challenging times, through Fancl's significantly greater exposure to the online and catalogue retail sales channel and diversification into the nutritional supplements business.


FANCL: Lowers FY21 Guidance Amidst Rising COVID Cases, Still Outperforming Peers

Japan

POLA ORBIS HOLDINGS INC. develops, manufactures and markets cosmetic products, centering in skincare  products. Under its multi-brand strategy, the Company holds nine cosmetic brands including POLA, prestige skincare brand, ORBIS, oil-free skincare brand, H2O PLUS and Jurlique.

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Pola Orbis Holdings (4927 JP)

Major Breakout For EURO STOXX 50

Our intermediate-term outlook remains constructive with major support levels holding on the broad global indexes (MSCI ACWI, ACWI ex-US, EM, and...

Vermilion Research

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market & Results & Revisions Update 02/12 • Yamaha Motor, J Post Bank, Otsuka & Lion

For the first time in just over one year and driven by a strong recovery in the index-heavy Auto Sector, our Market Composite Results & Revision...

Campbell Gunn

Shiseido: Lowballing 2021 Guidance

Previously, we questioned whether Shiseido is playing safe or departing from cost discipline as we felt that that the 4Q20 OP estimate was too low...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Kose: China and E-Commerce Propels Kose’s Performance Towards the Pre-Pandemic Level

Even though there are indications that Kose could be relaxing cost controls, an implied 4QFY21 OPM of 2.5% seem conservative making an OP beat a...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

FANCL: Lowers FY21 Guidance Amidst Rising COVID Cases, Still Outperforming Peers

Fancl delivered 3QFY21 results today, which saw operating profit increase by 6.5% YoY to ¥3.8bn (consensus ¥3.97bn). The company’s revenue was down...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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