Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS. Past Peak Rates - Equities continue upward trajectory;  9/11 SPX sectors  up as Tech leads; Yields down post weaker than expected ADP Employment; More China Measures for Economy </li>
<li>JAPAN. NKY Futures +0.2% vs Cash; USDJPY 146.3; MOF FY24 Budget ~30trillion, +10.7%YoY; BOJ Board Member: BOJ May normalize in 2024; Govt Extends Gasoline Subsidy Program</li>
<li>JAPAN X: Tokyo's Condo Prices Break Decades-Old Records, being fueled foreign buying spurred by weaker yen. Potential Boon for Tokyo Focused Developers-IF they can secure labor and keep GPM </li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS. Past Peak Rates - Equities continue upward trajectory;  9/11 SPX sectors  up as Tech leads; Yields down post weaker than expected ADP Employment; More China Measures for Economy 
JAPAN. NKY Futures +0.2% vs Cash; USDJPY 146.3; MOF FY24 Budget ~30trillion, +10.7%YoY; BOJ Board Member: BOJ May normalize in 2024; Govt Extends Gasoline Subsidy Program
JAPAN X: Tokyo's Condo Prices Break Decades-Old Records, being fueled foreign buying spurred by weaker yen. Potential Boon for Tokyo Focused Developers-IF they can secure labor and keep GPM 


Ohayo Japan|"Past Peak Rate" View Spur Equity Bid; JAPAN X: Tokyo's Condo Prices Reach Record High

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS: US Equities start on a postive note with SPX, NDX, SOX all gaining; 10/11 SPX sectors rose; Tech lead as US Yields Fell; China Stocks Surged on Govt Measures</li>
<li>JAPAN: NKY Futures +0.4% vs Cash; USDJPY 146.5; NKY records strongest day in Aug; JP Retail turn net buyers; Companies Make promises to boost share px; H2A Rocket Launch Delayed</li>
<li>JAPAN X:  Idemitsu Kosan Prepares for All-Solid-State Battery Era with Production Boost. All is is being driven by Toyota-which is leading to way to commercialization of solid state batteries. </li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS: US Equities start on a postive note with SPX, NDX, SOX all gaining; 10/11 SPX sectors rose; Tech lead as US Yields Fell; China Stocks Surged on Govt Measures
JAPAN: NKY Futures +0.4% vs Cash; USDJPY 146.5; NKY records strongest day in Aug; JP Retail turn net buyers; Companies Make promises to boost share px; H2A Rocket Launch Delayed
JAPAN X:  Idemitsu Kosan Prepares for All-Solid-State Battery Era with Production Boost. All is is being driven by Toyota-which is leading to way to commercialization of solid state batteries. 


Ohayo Japan| Equities Start on a Positive Note; JAPAN X: Idemitsu Ramps Up for Solid State Batteries

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS.  Disinflation Trade on as US PPI provides more tailwinds; Rates, USD Fall; Equites rally, More China Stimulus Coming ? Ripple resolution spurs Crypto bid; AI Wars: Meta Updates BARD</li>
<li>JAPAN. Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast Retailing numbers; Barclays see Sept BOJ tweek; Bullish Bank Initiations from UBS</li>
<li>NUGGET.  Hydrogen is a key part of JP Govt carbon zero strategy. We see KHI(7012) as a Hydrogen winner and see the recent pullback as a good entry opportunity</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS.  Disinflation Trade on as US PPI provides more tailwinds; Rates, USD Fall; Equites rally, More China Stimulus Coming ? Ripple resolution spurs Crypto bid; AI Wars: Meta Updates BARD
JAPAN. Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast Retailing numbers; Barclays see Sept BOJ tweek; Bullish Bank Initiations from UBS
NUGGET.  Hydrogen is a key part of JP Govt carbon zero strategy. We see KHI(7012) as a Hydrogen winner and see the recent pullback as a good entry opportunity


Ohayo Japan| Lower Rates, Higher Stocks; Crypto Optimism; NUGGET: Hydrogen Future - KHI(7012)Revisit

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>It will take a couple of years to see financial improvement but recent reforms suggest  criticism of Seven &amp; I’s inability to change may be increasingly unfair.</li>
<li>The latest in-group merger further demonstrates Seven &amp; I’s desire to refocus on food and FMCG.It also suggests that Seven &amp; I may double down on divestment from non-food retailing. </li>
<li>The share price may fluctuate but the outlook for domestic fundamentals are better than they have been for years.</li>
</ul>


It will take a couple of years to see financial improvement but recent reforms suggest  criticism of Seven &amp; I’s inability to change may be increasingly unfair.
The latest in-group merger further demonstrates Seven &amp; I’s desire to refocus on food and FMCG.It also suggests that Seven &amp; I may double down on divestment from non-food retailing. 
The share price may fluctuate but the outlook for domestic fundamentals are better than they have been for years.


Seven & I Merger of FMCG Arms Signals Focus on Food – And Its All Good News

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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.

<ul>
<li>Gasoline retail prices have caught up with declining wholesale prices, and it should lead to around 16-20% QoQ decrease in retail fuel margin to ¥35-37 cents per gallon.</li>
<li>US gas station merchandise sales exhibited weak performance this year, experiencing YoY growth rates of 5%, -2%, -15%, -17%, and -22% during the first five months.</li>
<li>We anticipate around 25% downside for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> after earnings, as it may face challenges in achieving its FY24 guidance.</li>
</ul>


Gasoline retail prices have caught up with declining wholesale prices, and it should lead to around 16-20% QoQ decrease in retail fuel margin to ¥35-37 cents per gallon.
US gas station merchandise sales exhibited weak performance this year, experiencing YoY growth rates of 5%, -2%, -15%, -17%, and -22% during the first five months.
We anticipate around 25% downside for Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) after earnings, as it may face challenges in achieving its FY24 guidance.


Seven & I: 7-Eleven US Poses Challenges for FY24 Guidance

Japan

AEON CO., LTD. operates general merchandise stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores throughout Japan. The Company is also engaged in women's and casual clothing store business, development business of commercial property, and financing service through the subsidiaries.

LAWSON, INC. operates a chain of convenience stores in Japan. The Company sells a variety of products including fast food, beverages, snacks, magazines, newspapers, and sundry goods.

KOBE BUSSAN CO., LTD. is a supermarket franchise store operator which mainly deals in foods stuffs.  The Company also has direct-run stores.

COSMOS Pharmaceutical Corporation operates drug stores based in Kyushu. The Company sells daily necessities such as drug medicines, foodstuffs, and alcoholic beverages.

SUGI HOLDINGS CO., LTD. operates a chain of drug stores located mainly in Aichi Prefecture.  The Company sells prescription and nonprescription medicine, cosmetics, health foods, and general merchandise.

TSURUHA HOLDINGS INC. is a holding company which manages subsidiaries that operate drug stores in Hokkaido and the Tohoku area.  The Company's product line includes drugs, cosmetics, and household utensils.

SUNDRUG CO., LTD. operates an outlet drug store chain primarily in the Tokyo area.  The Company sells mainly medicines, cosmetics, baby care products, and household utensils.  Sundrug supplies merchandise to franchise stores.  The Company also operates a real estate business.

WELCIA HOLDINGS CO.,LTD. is a holding company established through a merger of Welcia Kanto and Takada Pharmacy.  The Group mainly operates drug chain stores which sell medicines, health foods, cosmetics, nursery items and daily necessity goods.

Yaoko Co., Ltd. operates local supermarkets in the Saitama Prefecture. The Company handles fresh food products, daily-use sundry products, and other various goods in local area.

Kusuri no Aoki Holdings Co., Ltd. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides medicines, cosmetics, health foods, beauty care, and household products. Kusuri no Aoki Holdings serves customers in Japan.

Woolworths Limited operates supermarkets, specialty and discount department stores, liquor and electronics stores throughout Australia.  Woolworths also manufactures processed foods, exports and wholesales food and offers petrol retailing.  The Company also operates hotels which includes pubs, food, accommodation, and gaming operations.

CP ALL PCL operates convenience store chains in Thailand and China.  The Company also owns and operates the a department store chain located primarily in Shanghai city and Chonqing city of China.

Sysco Corporation distributes food and related products primarily to the foodservice industry.  The Company also distributes personal care guest amenities, housekeeping supplies, room accessories, and textiles to the lodging industry.

The Kroger Co. operates supermarkets and convenience stores in the United States.  The Company also manufactures and processes some of the foods that its supermarkets sell.

George Weston Limited operates as a super market. The Company processes and distributes food and pharmacy products to grocer wholesalers, warehouses, and independent accounts, as well as provides real estate services. George Weston serves customers in Canada.

Loblaw Companies Limited is a retail and wholesale food distributor with operations across Canada.  The Company's operations include both company and franchisee operated stores, warehouses, and cash and carry outlets.

Coles Group Limited owns and operates a chain of supermarkets and department stores. The Company offers apparels, liquor, office supplies, groceries, and household products. Coles Group serves customers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Tesco PLC, through its subsidiaries, operates as a food retailer. The Company offers online retailing, brick and mortar supermarkets, and a private-label brand of products. Tesco provides its services primarily throughout Europe, with additional activities in Asia.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., operates retail drugstores that offer a wide variety of prescription and non-prescription drugs as well as general goods. Walgreens' also offers health services, including primary and acute care, wellness, pharmacy and disease management services and health and fitness.

CP Axtra Public Company Limited operates a retail discount store chain. The Company sells food and consumer products to its registered customers including wholesalers, retailers, small businesses, caterers, and private individuals who hold its member cards. CP Axtra serves customers in Thailand.

Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company which was established through the merger of Ito-Yokado Co., Seven Eleven Japan Co., and Denny's Japan. The Company plans, manages, and operates mainly convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores.

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Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP)

Ohayo Japan|"Past Peak Rate" View Spur Equity Bid; JAPAN X: Tokyo's Condo Prices Reach Record High

Weaker ADP Employment drives Past Peak Rate Bid; NKY Futures +0.2% vs Cash; USDJPY 146.3; MOF FY24 Budget ~30trillion, +10.7%YoY; BOJ Board Member:...

Mark Chadwick

Ohayo Japan| Equities Start on a Positive Note; JAPAN X: Idemitsu Ramps Up for Solid State Batteries

US Equities start on postiive note; NKY Futures +0.4% vs Cash; USDJPY 146.5; NKY records strongest day in Aug; JP Retail turn net buyers; JP...

Mark Chadwick

Ohayo Japan| Lower Rates, Higher Stocks; Crypto Optimism; NUGGET: Hydrogen Future - KHI(7012)Revisit

Disinflation trade continues- Rates down, DXY down, Stocks up; Nikkei Futures +1% vs Cash; USDJPY 138; Set for Beta bid in Stocks; Blow out Fast...

Mark Chadwick

Seven & I Merger of FMCG Arms Signals Focus on Food – And Its All Good News

Seven & I has been getting a hard time of it from a small but loud group of investors but a fair amount of this criticism is unfair. A lot of...

Michael Causton

Seven & I: 7-Eleven US Poses Challenges for FY24 Guidance

Anticipating weaknesses in the US business, we expect downside for Seven & I after FQ1 earnings, as it may face challenges in achieving its FY24...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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