Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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

<ul>
<li>Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were on the sceptical side given various signs of trouble at the company. </li>
<li>In contrast the majority of commentary on the deal has been somewhere between positive and euphoric though there are monopoly concerns from customers. </li>
<li>Yet the more we examine the implications the less we like this deal for Microsoft.</li>
</ul>


Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were on the sceptical side given various signs of trouble at the company. 
In contrast the majority of commentary on the deal has been somewhere between positive and euphoric though there are monopoly concerns from customers. 
Yet the more we examine the implications the less we like this deal for Microsoft.


Microsoft – Thinking Through the ATVI Acquisition Further

<ul>
<li>Microsoft has agreed to acquire Activision Blizzard for $95 per share (+45.3% vs. undisturbed) which values the company at $68.7bn in EV. </li>
<li>ATVI had been under pressure since the middle of last year facing various sexual harassment allegations, but CEO Bobby Kotick will not be replaced. </li>
<li>Like with ZeniMax this deal features a demanding valuation for a number of IPs which have seen better days… but there is Call of Duty…</li>
</ul>


Microsoft has agreed to acquire Activision Blizzard for $95 per share (+45.3% vs. undisturbed) which values the company at $68.7bn in EV. 
ATVI had been under pressure since the middle of last year facing various sexual harassment allegations, but CEO Bobby Kotick will not be replaced. 
Like with ZeniMax this deal features a demanding valuation for a number of IPs which have seen better days… but there is Call of Duty…


Sony - Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Acquisition Shakes Things Up

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Nippon Paint Holdings / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>A group of shareholders of Nippon Paint Holdings, plan to raise around US$1.4bn via selling nearly 6% of the stock.</li>
<li>We covered most aspects of the deal in our previous note, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nippon-paint-holdings-placement-nothing-particularly-exciting-needs-to-correct" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nippon Paint Holdings Placement - Nothing particularly exciting, needs to correct</a>.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the updates and share price movement since then.</li>
</ul>


A group of shareholders of Nippon Paint Holdings, plan to raise around US$1.4bn via selling nearly 6% of the stock.
We covered most aspects of the deal in our previous note, Nippon Paint Holdings Placement - Nothing particularly exciting, needs to correct.
In this note, we will talk about the updates and share price movement since then.


Nippon Paint Placement Quick Update - Better Positioned After Delivering the Largest Correction

<ul>
<li>Sony had some interesting panels at CES 2022 focusing on immersion in entertainment on both the audio and visual fronts. </li>
<li>Following on from the PSVR2 announcement they help to outline Sony’s roadmap for driving forward entertainment technology. </li>
<li>And of course there were some links to Epic and Unreal Engine…</li>
</ul>


Sony had some interesting panels at CES 2022 focusing on immersion in entertainment on both the audio and visual fronts. 
Following on from the PSVR2 announcement they help to outline Sony’s roadmap for driving forward entertainment technology. 
And of course there were some links to Epic and Unreal Engine…


Research on Tech Companies

Evelyn Zhang

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>It'll take another 3-5 years of further development for VR and AR products to reach the level of user experience and reduction in cost necessary for wide commercial adoption. </li>
<li>The emergence of blockbuster AAA content will aid the large-scale adoption of Metaverse hardware, user generated contents are much lower in development cost,  a trend pioneered by Roblox &amp;Epic Games.</li>
<li>A-Share listed companies mainly focus on hardware value chain. China's video game regulator hasn't approved any new titles since July 2021. Leading Chinese companies are focusing on the commercial application.  </li>
</ul>


It'll take another 3-5 years of further development for VR and AR products to reach the level of user experience and reduction in cost necessary for wide commercial adoption. 
The emergence of blockbuster AAA content will aid the large-scale adoption of Metaverse hardware, user generated contents are much lower in development cost,  a trend pioneered by Roblox &amp;Epic Games.
A-Share listed companies mainly focus on hardware value chain. China's video game regulator hasn't approved any new titles since July 2021. Leading Chinese companies are focusing on the commercial application.  


Virtual Smoke and Mirror—Vision to Reality

Japan

Sony Group Corporation manufactures and distributes electronics products and provides related solutions. The Company produces televisions, cameras, mobiles, audio and video products. game equipment, and more. Sony Group also engages in game production,  movie production, music production, and other businesses.

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Sony Corp (SONY US)

Microsoft – Thinking Through the ATVI Acquisition Further

Our initial thoughts on Microsoft’s bid for Activision Blizzard were sceptical in contrast to the majority of commentary on the deal. The more we...

Mio Kato

Sony - Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Acquisition Shakes Things Up

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is a huge move within the context of the gaming industry but we feel its eventual impact will belie...

Mio Kato

Nippon Paint Placement Quick Update - Better Positioned After Delivering the Largest Correction

A group of shareholders of Nippon Paint Holdings, plan to raise around US$1.4bn via selling nearly 6% of the stock. In this note we talk about the...

Sumeet Singh

Sony – Audio Visual Immersion

Sony had some interesting panels at CES 2022 focusing on immersion in entertainment on both the audio and visual fronts which help outline Sony’s...

Mio Kato

Virtual Smoke and Mirror—Vision to Reality

The recent surge in Metaverse have brought VR & AR back into the focus of the market. So is the Metaverse finally ready for prime time or still a...

Evelyn Zhang

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