Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

At the end of March 2016, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7797:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP)</a>,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-transport-system-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2395:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Transport System (9086 JP)</a>, and as-yet unlisted <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sg-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26070:1" rel="noopener">SG Holdings (9143 JP)</a><a href="https://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2016/03/f_160330a.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that Hitachi Transport and SG subsidiary, and well-known door-to-door delivery unit Sagawa Express would form a capital and business tie-up and would look to merge "within three years" (i.e. merger by 1 April 2019). The deal was that Hitachi Transport was going to spend ¥66.3bn to buy a 20% stake in the unlisted delivery subsidiary of then still-unlisted SG Holdings, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7797:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP)</a> was going to sell a 29% stake (out of the 59% they owned) in Hitachi Transport for ¥87.5 billion. They were both going to expand strongly outside of Asia.  HTS was known at the time for its 3PL and "Smart Logistics" capabilities to make customer supply chains more efficient, etc, whereas Sagawa was known as a top last-mile delivery business. The combined entity was set to overtake <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamato-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2:1" rel="noopener">Yamato Holdings (9064 JP)</a> in terms of revenue and get closer to industry top dog <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-express-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18582:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Express (9062 JP)</a>. It was supposed to help SG improve margins by doing more in B2B. SG IPOed in late 2017. Three years came and went. Nothing happened. There were collaborative projects started such as a "Japan-China integrated service" and "mutual utilisation of logistics facilities" such as e-commerce delivery hubs, but it was slow-going.Some signs of discord have been clear for a while. If one reads between the lines one could have wondered what the point was even in 2016, but I expect there was hope that the two sides could get along. In late May 2019 after the earnings presentation which marked the three year anniversary/deadline of a deal, and a new <a href="https://www.hitachi-transportsystem.com/en/ir/library/presentations/pdf/midtermmanagementplan_190524enR.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mid-Term Management Plan</a> "Logisteed 2021" in which the forward-looking part had basically no mention of SG or Sagawa, the Nikkei carried an interview with HTS President Nakatani who said, when asked about the integration, "I am aware that we are moving toward integration. I would like to harmonize future directions." [Nikkei: He showed a positive attitude...] "We have decided to discuss and consider the possibility of business integration, but we have not made any decisions, including any start to discussions."Three years on and there had obviously been discussions about discussions, but the two sides hadn't made any commitment to starting discussions officially. <h2>The NEW News</h2>Today mid-day, Diamond Online released a scoop saying the capital and business tie-up between the two was going to be scrapped. The first reaction was to send Hitachi Transport shares down 10+%. Hitachi Transport's first release to the exchange said that the article wasn't based on information they announced and that it was not going to be a dissolution of the capital tie-up, just a re-arranging of the deckchairs and a board meeting was going on and there would be an announcement within the day. HTS shares - which at that point were down 7% on the day - bounced sharply. After the close it became clear there was a difference of opinion on what the "review of the level equity affiliation" actually meant. The headline of the Hitachi Transport release says "Announcement of Partial Modification of the Strategic Capital and Business Alliance with SG Holdings and SAGAWA EXPRESS". It talks at some length about what has been accomplished in four and a half years of working together and then it notes the "modification of the capital tie-up."<ol>
<li>HTS will sell the 20% of Sagawa Express that it owns for ¥87.5bn. That trade will be executed on 29 Sep 2020. </li>
<li>HTS will buy back "a portion" of the shares that SG owns in a <a href="https://www.hitachi-transportsystem.com/jp/news/pdf/20200924_jikokabusikinoshutokukaituke.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ToSTNeT-3 transaction</a> the morning of 25 September. Reminder that SG owns 32.35mm shares of HTS or 29.00% of shares out. Tomorrow morning, HTS will buy back 27.675mm shares at the closing price on the 24 September of ¥3,570. That is up to 24.8% of shares out. </li>
</ol> That is a very big unwind in a very big hurry. This creates some interesting side effects and they are well-worth thinking about. More below the fold.

At the end of March 2016, Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP),  Hitachi Transport System (9086 JP), and as-yet unlisted SG Holdings (9143 JP)announced that Hitachi Transport and SG subsidiary, and well-known door-to-door delivery unit Sagawa Express would form a capital and business tie-up and would look to merge "within three years" (i.e. merger by 1 April 2019). The deal was that Hitachi Transport was going to spend ¥66.3bn to buy a 20% stake in the unlisted delivery subsidiary of then still-unlisted SG Holdings, and Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP) was going to sell a 29% stake (out of the 59% they owned) in Hitachi Transport for ¥87.5 billion. They were both going to expand strongly outside of Asia.  HTS was known at the time for its 3PL and "Smart Logistics" capabilities to make customer supply chains more efficient, etc, whereas Sagawa was known as a top last-mile delivery business. The combined entity was set to overtake Yamato Holdings (9064 JP) in terms of revenue and get closer to industry top dog Nippon Express (9062 JP). It was supposed to help SG improve margins by doing more in B2B. SG IPOed in late 2017. Three years came and went. Nothing happened. There were collaborative projects started such as a "Japan-China integrated service" and "mutual utilisation of logistics facilities" such as e-commerce delivery hubs, but it was slow-going.Some signs of discord have been clear for a while. If one reads between the lines one could have wondered what the point was even in 2016, but I expect there was hope that the two sides could get along. In late May 2019 after the earnings presentation which marked the three year anniversary/deadline of a deal, and a new Mid-Term Management Plan "Logisteed 2021" in which the forward-looking part had basically no mention of SG or Sagawa, the Nikkei carried an interview with HTS President Nakatani who said, when asked about the integration, "I am aware that we are moving toward integration. I would like to harmonize future directions." [Nikkei: He showed a positive attitude...] "We have decided to discuss and consider the possibility of business integration, but we have not made any decisions, including any start to discussions."Three years on and there had obviously been discussions about discussions, but the two sides hadn't made any commitment to starting discussions officially. The NEW NewsToday mid-day, Diamond Online released a scoop saying the capital and business tie-up between the two was going to be scrapped. The first reaction was to send Hitachi Transport shares down 10+%. Hitachi Transport's first release to the exchange said that the article wasn't based on information they announced and that it was not going to be a dissolution of the capital tie-up, just a re-arranging of the deckchairs and a board meeting was going on and there would be an announcement within the day. HTS shares - which at that point were down 7% on the day - bounced sharply. After the close it became clear there was a difference of opinion on what the "review of the level equity affiliation" actually meant. The headline of the Hitachi Transport release says "Announcement of Partial Modification of the Strategic Capital and Business Alliance with SG Holdings and SAGAWA EXPRESS". It talks at some length about what has been accomplished in four and a half years of working together and then it notes the "modification of the capital tie-up."
HTS will sell the 20% of Sagawa Express that it owns for ¥87.5bn. That trade will be executed on 29 Sep 2020. 
HTS will buy back "a portion" of the shares that SG owns in a ToSTNeT-3 transaction the morning of 25 September. Reminder that SG owns 32.35mm shares of HTS or 29.00% of shares out. Tomorrow morning, HTS will buy back 27.675mm shares at the closing price on the 24 September of ¥3,570. That is up to 24.8% of shares out. 
 That is a very big unwind in a very big hurry. This creates some interesting side effects and they are well-worth thinking about. More below the fold.

Hitachi Transport & SG Holdings:  Consciously Uncoupling

'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/000/149/834/original/2020-08-02_06-39-22.png?1596317982" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149834"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>CORRECTION - The last day of July saw the TOPIX index fall by 2.8% to reach a new two-month low, 8.2% below the closing high of June 8th. A combination of a strong yen, peak COVID-19 cases, the continuing unedifying stream of results &amp; revisions, and month-end portfolio 'adjustments' proved toxic. Our Results Score lost a further 57 basis points, while bullish initial full-year forecasts from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeda-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11747:1" rel="noopener">Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/denso-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18703:1" rel="noopener">Denso (6902 JP)</a> helped the Forecast/Revision Score recover by 51 basis points. Nevertheless, the market's correlation with earnings and revisions momentum remains distorted by central bank liquidity. As noted in<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-market-update-tired" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41562" rel="noopener"> Tired</a>, we expect both our Scores to bottom nearer the 2009 lows, in which case the Bank of Japan's cumulative purchases could reach over 10% of market value.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/839/original/2020-08-02_07-35-10.png?1596321328" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149839"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>DOWNFALL - After one-third of quarterly earnings announcements, at the current pace forward aggregate operating and net income could reach ¥35 trillion and ¥20 trillion, respectively by the end of the month, taking the market multiple to 30x, absent any further correction in share prices. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/840/original/2020-08-02_07-52-16.png?1596322358" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149840"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>SECTOR SCORES - As in past cycles, the Information Technology, Internet, and Healthcare Sectors have proved to be the most resilient. On the downside, the breadth of the lowest-scoring Sectors is abnormal, with Consumer Services and Transport &amp; Logistics joining Metals, Autos, Eletcial Equipment and Machinery. The trailing-twelve-month (TTM) results in the table below confirm the chart above but suggests some caution over Internet Sector margins.   <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/842/original/2020-08-02_07-59-45.png?1596322803" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149842"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><hr>•BEST &amp; WORST 31st JULY •BEST &amp; WORST - Combining the day's results, revisions and forecasts, we select the 'best' and the 'worst' announcements according to our scoring. On the podium were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeda-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11747:1" rel="noopener">Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/infocom-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8412:1" rel="noopener">Infocom (4348 JP)</a>. In the pits were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/casio-computer-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18338:1" rel="noopener">Casio Computer (6952 JP)</a> and three railway lines - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/odakyu-electric-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5405:1" rel="noopener">Odakyu (9007 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/west-japan-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12077:1" rel="noopener">West Japan (9021 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/central-japan-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13520:1" rel="noopener">Central Japan (9022 JP)</a> for which we will show the Peer Group's record-low long-term Scores.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/913/original/2020-08-02_08-30-42.png?1596324654" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149913"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/914/original/2020-08-02_08-31-29.png?1596324699" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149914"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/915/original/2020-08-02_08-33-28.png?1596324818" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149915"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/916/original/2020-08-02_08-40-22.png?1596325251" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149916"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><div>
<hr>
DAILY STATS
PERCENTAGES - 66% of quarterly results,  71% of annual forecasts/revisions and 75% of interim forecasts have negative Scores and 26% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.
</div><hr><div>429 Quarterly Results</div><div><ul>
<li>
Results Score: 28% Positive / 6% Neutral / 66% Negative</li>
<li>
Average Results Score Change: -3.1 points</li>
<li>
Average % Change in Revenue: -9.3% Quarter YoY / -2.0% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.0 ppt</li>
<li>
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 26%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div> 153 Annual • 115 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</div><div><ul>
<li>
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 26% Positive / 3% Neutral / 71% Negative</li>
<li>
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 24% Positive / 1% Neutral / 75% Negative</li>
<li>
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -8.4 points</li>
</ul></div>

Source • Japan AnalyticsCORRECTION - The last day of July saw the TOPIX index fall by 2.8% to reach a new two-month low, 8.2% below the closing high of June 8th. A combination of a strong yen, peak COVID-19 cases, the continuing unedifying stream of results &amp; revisions, and month-end portfolio 'adjustments' proved toxic. Our Results Score lost a further 57 basis points, while bullish initial full-year forecasts from Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP) and Denso (6902 JP) helped the Forecast/Revision Score recover by 51 basis points. Nevertheless, the market's correlation with earnings and revisions momentum remains distorted by central bank liquidity. As noted in Tired, we expect both our Scores to bottom nearer the 2009 lows, in which case the Bank of Japan's cumulative purchases could reach over 10% of market value.Source • Japan AnalyticsDOWNFALL - After one-third of quarterly earnings announcements, at the current pace forward aggregate operating and net income could reach ¥35 trillion and ¥20 trillion, respectively by the end of the month, taking the market multiple to 30x, absent any further correction in share prices. Source • Japan AnalyticsSECTOR SCORES - As in past cycles, the Information Technology, Internet, and Healthcare Sectors have proved to be the most resilient. On the downside, the breadth of the lowest-scoring Sectors is abnormal, with Consumer Services and Transport &amp; Logistics joining Metals, Autos, Eletcial Equipment and Machinery. The trailing-twelve-month (TTM) results in the table below confirm the chart above but suggests some caution over Internet Sector margins.   Source • Japan Analytics•BEST &amp; WORST 31st JULY •BEST &amp; WORST - Combining the day's results, revisions and forecasts, we select the 'best' and the 'worst' announcements according to our scoring. On the podium were Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP) and Infocom (4348 JP). In the pits were Casio Computer (6952 JP) and three railway lines - Odakyu (9007 JP), West Japan (9021 JP) and Central Japan (9022 JP) for which we will show the Peer Group's record-low long-term Scores.Source • Japan Analytics

DAILY STATS
PERCENTAGES - 66% of quarterly results,  71% of annual forecasts/revisions and 75% of interim forecasts have negative Scores and 26% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.
429 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 28% Positive / 6% Neutral / 66% Negative

Average Results Score Change: -3.1 points

Average % Change in Revenue: -9.3% Quarter YoY / -2.0% Rolling TTM YoY 

Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.0 ppt

Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 26%
 153 Annual • 115 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 26% Positive / 3% Neutral / 71% Negative

Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 24% Positive / 1% Neutral / 75% Negative

Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -8.4 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 31st July - Takeda, Yamato/SG, Seria, FP, Keyence, Dai-Ichi Sankyo

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

E-commerce package deliveries at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamato-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2:1" rel="noopener">Yamato Holdings (9064 JP)</a> grew 13% in April as people stayed at home, but the leading couriers continue to struggle with this growth in demand. New models, new ideas and a rebalancing of the load are needed to help move the service forward in the short-term.

E-commerce package deliveries at Yamato Holdings (9064 JP) grew 13% in April as people stayed at home, but the leading couriers continue to struggle with this growth in demand. New models, new ideas and a rebalancing of the load are needed to help move the service forward in the short-term.

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. 

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/115/943/original/2020-02-01_07-00-20.png?1580599138" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="115943"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/115/944/original/2020-02-02_08-38-57.png?1580600364" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="115944"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>30TH JANUARY ROUNDUP - The downward trends in both our Results Score and Forecast/Revision Scores that have been building all week are now more apparent last Friday. On the second-busiest day of this quarter's 'calendar', there were 407 results and 114 forecasts or revisions announcements. The Results Score declined by nine basis points to 0.68, the lowest since April 2017 while the Forecast/Revision Score fell by 15bps and was last this low in December 2016. The 'upside gap' between the market and both Scores is still larger than at any time since our data series commenced and needs to close further. The Bank of Japan bought ETFs on three days last week and will be back in action on Monday.<hr>• SECTOR TIMELINE •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/115/946/original/2020-02-02_09-01-27.png?1580601710" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="115946"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>SECTOR TIMELINE - This quarter's Sector winners and losers are now emerging.  The former are lead by Banks, Non-Bank Finance, Machinery, Technology Hardware, and Electrical Equipment, with the losers being Transportation, Consumer Services, Healthcare, Utilities and Building Materials.  Of the top ten positive changes in all-cap Results Score on Friday, eight were in the financial sectors. A shift in earnings momentum leadership from consumer to finance and technology-related Sectors is in train.

Source • Japan Analytics30TH JANUARY ROUNDUP - The downward trends in both our Results Score and Forecast/Revision Scores that have been building all week are now more apparent last Friday. On the second-busiest day of this quarter's 'calendar', there were 407 results and 114 forecasts or revisions announcements. The Results Score declined by nine basis points to 0.68, the lowest since April 2017 while the Forecast/Revision Score fell by 15bps and was last this low in December 2016. The 'upside gap' between the market and both Scores is still larger than at any time since our data series commenced and needs to close further. The Bank of Japan bought ETFs on three days last week and will be back in action on Monday.• SECTOR TIMELINE •Source • Japan AnalyticsSECTOR TIMELINE - This quarter's Sector winners and losers are now emerging.  The former are lead by Banks, Non-Bank Finance, Machinery, Technology Hardware, and Electrical Equipment, with the losers being Transportation, Consumer Services, Healthcare, Utilities and Building Materials.  Of the top ten positive changes in all-cap Results Score on Friday, eight were in the financial sectors. A shift in earnings momentum leadership from consumer to finance and technology-related Sectors is in train.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Daily Roundup - 31st January ►6861 ▲9433 8473 ▼3099 9062 4922

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities

Hitachi Transport System / Equity Bottom-Up

The shares of Hitachi Transport System have had a good run, more than doubling over three years to an all-time high of ¥3,545 on July 2, 2019 before dropping back 11% to close at ¥3,165 on September 27. At this price, they are selling at 16x management's EPS guidance for FY Mar-20 and 1.6x book value as of the end of June. These valuations are near the top of their 5-year ranges, but calculations by Japan Analytics indicate 10% potential upside to a forecast-based no-growth valuation (see charts below). The rise in the share price has been driven by efficiency gains in the company's domestic and global logistics businesses. In the four fiscal years to Mar-19, revenues increased 4.5% to ¥708.8 billion, operating profit increased 45.3% to ¥31.2 billion, the operating margin rose from 3.2% to 4.4%, and ROE rose from 7.6% to 10.2%. In the three months to June, operating profit increased 7.0% year-on-year on a 2.9% decline in revenues. Revenues declined due to a change in the scope of consolidation, declining volumes in the auto parts business and the appreciation of the yen. For FY Mar-20 as a whole, management is guiding for a 1.0% increase in operating profit to ¥31.5 billion on a 1.2% decline in revenues to ¥700 billion, resulting in an operating margin of 4.5%. By FY Mar-22, management expects operating profit to reach ¥36.0 billion on revenues of ¥720 billion, the operating margin rising to 5.0% due to a combination of growth and further improvements in the cost structure.  M&amp;A could lift revenues to ¥800 billion, although the timing of acquisitions and their profitability are uncertain.1Q results suggest that full-year guidance is conservative, while further outsourcing of global supply chain management - perhaps accelerated by the changes forced on supply chains by the trade war - should support management's longer-term plans. The biggest risks to those plans and to investors appear to be recession and yen appreciation.

The shares of Hitachi Transport System have had a good run, more than doubling over three years to an all-time high of ¥3,545 on July 2, 2019 before dropping back 11% to close at ¥3,165 on September 27. At this price, they are selling at 16x management's EPS guidance for FY Mar-20 and 1.6x book value as of the end of June. These valuations are near the top of their 5-year ranges, but calculations by Japan Analytics indicate 10% potential upside to a forecast-based no-growth valuation (see charts below). The rise in the share price has been driven by efficiency gains in the company's domestic and global logistics businesses. In the four fiscal years to Mar-19, revenues increased 4.5% to ¥708.8 billion, operating profit increased 45.3% to ¥31.2 billion, the operating margin rose from 3.2% to 4.4%, and ROE rose from 7.6% to 10.2%. In the three months to June, operating profit increased 7.0% year-on-year on a 2.9% decline in revenues. Revenues declined due to a change in the scope of consolidation, declining volumes in the auto parts business and the appreciation of the yen. For FY Mar-20 as a whole, management is guiding for a 1.0% increase in operating profit to ¥31.5 billion on a 1.2% decline in revenues to ¥700 billion, resulting in an operating margin of 4.5%. By FY Mar-22, management expects operating profit to reach ¥36.0 billion on revenues of ¥720 billion, the operating margin rising to 5.0% due to a combination of growth and further improvements in the cost structure.  M&amp;A could lift revenues to ¥800 billion, although the timing of acquisitions and their profitability are uncertain.1Q results suggest that full-year guidance is conservative, while further outsourcing of global supply chain management - perhaps accelerated by the changes forced on supply chains by the trade war - should support management's longer-term plans. The biggest risks to those plans and to investors appear to be recession and yen appreciation.

Hitachi Transport System (9086 JP): Uptrend Should Resume

Japan

Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. mainly provides door-to-door parcel delivery services. The Company has developed a nationwide delivery system specializing in time-specified delivery. Yamato Holdings offers moving services and other comprehensive transportation services including logistics services for both domestic and overseas customers as well as financial and autoworks services.

Nippon Express Holdings, Inc. offers logistics services. The Company provides freight vehicle transportation, railway transportation, air transportation, sea transportation, port transportation, warehousing, and other services. Nippon Express Holdings provides its services throughout Japan.

Maruwa Unyu Kikan Co. Ltd. provides logistical transportation services. The Company conducts normal temperature logistics, low-temperature food distribution, and pharmaceuticals and medical logistics. Maruwa Unyu Kikan also provides logistics consulting and warehousing services.

Konoike Transport Co Ltd operates production and distribution processes and plant equipment installation service at clients' work cites. Clients range from the basic materials industry to consumer staples, airline and medical industries. The company also operates logistics business domestically and intern ationally.

MITSUI-SOKO Holdings Co., Ltd. provides warehousing and marine, land, and air freight transportation services.  The Company also operates a real estate business of leasing its own land and buildings.

SBS Holdings, Inc. provides integrated logistic services. The Company's services include one-stop marketing such as logistic consulting, logistic management and logistic development, special transportation, and low-temperature logistic. SBS Holdings also offers human resources and information technologies services.

Yasuda Logistics Corp operates warehouses in Tokyo, Yokohama, and their surrounding areas.  The Company also provides trucking services, handles marine cargo, and leases real estate.  The Yasuda Warehouse operates international air, land, and sea intermodal transportation as well.

The Shibusawa Warehouse Co., Ltd. provides warehousing and inland and marine transportation services.  The Company also provides moving services and international transportation services.  The Shibusawa Warehouse operates real estate leasing businesses as well.

AIT CORPORATION provides comprehensive international cargo and container booking services.  The Company mainly operates its business in Japan, China and other major Asian cities.

Chuo Warehouse Co., Ltd., based in Kyoto prefecture, is a warehouse operator specializing in storage of synthetic textiles.  The Company handles imported cargo and operates its business in the Tokai and Tokyo areas as well.

Hyundai Glovis Co., Ltd. provides domestic and international logistic services. The Company's services include domestic transportation, storage, packaging, vehicle logistic, and logistic consulting.  GLOVIS also runs automobile auction market for used vehicle.

Mainfreight Limited provides and supplies freight, warehousing and logistics services throughout New Zealand and Australia.  The Company provides freight forwarding services by road, rail, sea and air along with providing international freight forwarding services, customs clearance services and specialized handling of hazardous substances.

Financiere de l'Odet is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, offers transport and international logistics, the distribution of energy, the production of plastic films and thin paper, the manufacture of specialized terminals and systems, and the management of investments in plantations and in other market areas, including media and communication.

International Distributions Services plc provides postal and delivery services. The Company offers letter and parcel delivery services. International Distributions Services serves consumers, sole traders, SMEs, large businesses, and access operators worldwide.

International Distributions Services (IDS LN)

Sinotrans Limited provides integrated logistics services with core service of sea, air, rail and road freight forwarding, express services and shipping agency services.  The Company also provides support services of storage and terminal services, trucking and marine transportation services.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides aircraft, crew, commercial and military charter, maintenance, and insurance freighter aircraft to major airlines around the world.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc (AAWW US)

Hub Group, Inc. is a full-service transportation provider, offering intermodal, truck brokerage, and logistics services.  The Company arranges for the movement of its customers' freight in containers and trailers over long distances.  Hub Group operates through a nationwide network of hubs, located near significant concentrations of shipping customers and railheads.

Yunda Holding Co Ltd operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides industrial investment, enterprise management, business consulting, car rental, technical development, information technology, and advertising services. Yunda Holding serves customers in China.

Compania de Distribucion Integral Logista Holdings, S.A. operates as an international logistical solution provider. The Company offers logistics, parcel and express courier transport, industrial parcel transport, and long distance and full truck load transport management services.

ID Logistics Group offers various logistics services. The Company provides warehousing, supply chain, storage and transportation solutions.

SG Holdings Co., Ltd. offers courier services. The Company provides goods delivery, cargo logistics, goods pickup, and other services. SG Holdings also operates real estate development, human resources management, and other businesses.

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SG Holdings (9143 JP)

Hitachi Transport & SG Holdings: Consciously Uncoupling

In May of 2016

Travis Lundy

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 31st July - Takeda, Yamato/SG, Seria, FP, Keyence, Dai-Ichi Sankyo

CORRECTION - The last day of July saw the TOPIX index fall by 2.8% to reach a new two-month low, 8.2% below the closing high of June 8th. A...

Campbell Gunn

Yamato Struggling with Rising Demand

E-commerce package deliveries at Yamato Holdings (9064 JP) grew 13% in April as people stayed at home, but the leading couriers continue to...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Daily Roundup - 31st January ►6861 ▲9433 8473 ▼3099 9062 4922

30TH JANUARY ROUNDUP - The downward trends in both our Results Score and Forecast/Revision Scores that have been building all week are now more...

Campbell Gunn

Hitachi Transport System (9086 JP): Uptrend Should Resume

The shares of Hitachi Transport System have had a good run, more than doubling over three years to an all-time high of ¥3,545 on July 2, 2019...

Scott Foster

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