Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Equity Bottom-Up

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) / Equity Bottom-Up

*MUFG Pre-Announcement: According to Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.JP) [MUFG], FY 2019 preliminary profit declined to its lowest level in a decade after MUFG added JPY 100 bn to JPY 520 bn (results due out on May 15th) due to  COVID-19-related charges and stock holdings hurt by volatile markets. This is the second earnings revision in less than a year, as guidance is now down 40% in aggregate.*Still Overstating Earnings Despite Downgrade: All else equal, MUFG – based on its lax discretionary provisioning methodology - is overstating preliminary results between JPY 916-1,042 bn, by our calculation.*Pig Piling Continues: The lack of provisioning is far from the only problem MUFG must manage. ACOM is a chronically understates kaburai risk; post-COVID-19, we calculate that MUFG America’s will have a regulatory capital shortfall of up to USD 6.5 bn or 40% of MUFG America’s stated equity; continued impairments on subsidiaries; significant Softbank (9984.JP) exposure; and Morgan Stanley’s (MS.US) MUFG dilutive E*Trade (ETFC.US) transaction.

*MUFG Pre-Announcement: According to Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.JP) [MUFG], FY 2019 preliminary profit declined to its lowest level in a decade after MUFG added JPY 100 bn to JPY 520 bn (results due out on May 15th) due to  COVID-19-related charges and stock holdings hurt by volatile markets. This is the second earnings revision in less than a year, as guidance is now down 40% in aggregate.*Still Overstating Earnings Despite Downgrade: All else equal, MUFG – based on its lax discretionary provisioning methodology - is overstating preliminary results between JPY 916-1,042 bn, by our calculation.*Pig Piling Continues: The lack of provisioning is far from the only problem MUFG must manage. ACOM is a chronically understates kaburai risk; post-COVID-19, we calculate that MUFG America’s will have a regulatory capital shortfall of up to USD 6.5 bn or 40% of MUFG America’s stated equity; continued impairments on subsidiaries; significant Softbank (9984.JP) exposure; and Morgan Stanley’s (MS.US) MUFG dilutive E*Trade (ETFC.US) transaction.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*Pre-Announcement Has Sector Implications: Fukuoka Financial Group (8354.JP)  [FFG] recently announced a revision to its FY 2019 consolidated net profit guidance from JPY 148.5 bn to JPY 111 bn, and recurring profit from JPY 52.5 bn to a loss of JPY 5 bn due primarily to two unexpected credit events;* Domestic Year-End Credit Events: The Financial Services Agency (FSA) published a discussion paper in December 2019 that discussed forward-looking method for loss provisioning, which was the impetus for the way FFG to calculated is loan loss reserve, just as precautionary reserves related to COVID-19 made their impact; and*Mizuho Domestic Results Could Be Ugly: By our analysis, Mizuho Financial Group (8411.JP) fares the worst, with a potential negative impact to FY 2019 consensus forecasts of between 10.1%-29.5%. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.JP) [MUFG] and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.JP) should see a consensus decline of between 1.9%-3.3% and 1.5%-2.3%, respectively, by our calculation.

*Pre-Announcement Has Sector Implications: Fukuoka Financial Group (8354.JP)  [FFG] recently announced a revision to its FY 2019 consolidated net profit guidance from JPY 148.5 bn to JPY 111 bn, and recurring profit from JPY 52.5 bn to a loss of JPY 5 bn due primarily to two unexpected credit events;* Domestic Year-End Credit Events: The Financial Services Agency (FSA) published a discussion paper in December 2019 that discussed forward-looking method for loss provisioning, which was the impetus for the way FFG to calculated is loan loss reserve, just as precautionary reserves related to COVID-19 made their impact; and*Mizuho Domestic Results Could Be Ugly: By our analysis, Mizuho Financial Group (8411.JP) fares the worst, with a potential negative impact to FY 2019 consensus forecasts of between 10.1%-29.5%. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.JP) [MUFG] and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.JP) should see a consensus decline of between 1.9%-3.3% and 1.5%-2.3%, respectively, by our calculation.

Japan Mega-Banks – Fukuoka Financial A Harbinger For Results Season

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks, Windamee Research

J. Brian Waterhouse

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks

Windamee Research

Japanese Banks

Tiny, struggling <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimane-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5219:1" rel="noopener">Shimane Bank Ltd/ The (7150 JP)</a>, a Japanese secondary regional bank from Shimane Prefecture in the Chugoku Region of western Japan that in November of last year threw in its lot with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sbi-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10928:1" rel="noopener">Sbi Holdings (8473 JP)</a> and is now a 34%-owned affiliate of the online financial specialist, has announced an upward revision to FY3/2020 earnings.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that the upward revision is just ¥100 million, the bank is still predicting a consolidated net loss for FY3/2020 of close to ¥2.3 billion, the dividend remains suspended, credit costs and the bank’s non-performing loans are way up, the bank’s Overhead Ratio (OHR) is still not under control, and management has decided not to publish earnings guidance for FY3/2021.  Despite the infusion of new capital from the SBI Group, the stock price has fallen even further since our last Insight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/shimane-bank-7150-jp-and-behold-a-pale-knight" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:32314" rel="noopener">Shimane Bank (7150 JP):  And Behold, a Pale Knight</a> to just over the ¥400 level.Caveat Emptor!  (May the Buyer Beware!)

Tiny, struggling Shimane Bank Ltd/ The (7150 JP), a Japanese secondary regional bank from Shimane Prefecture in the Chugoku Region of western Japan that in November of last year threw in its lot with Sbi Holdings (8473 JP) and is now a 34%-owned affiliate of the online financial specialist, has announced an upward revision to FY3/2020 earnings.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that the upward revision is just ¥100 million, the bank is still predicting a consolidated net loss for FY3/2020 of close to ¥2.3 billion, the dividend remains suspended, credit costs and the bank’s non-performing loans are way up, the bank’s Overhead Ratio (OHR) is still not under control, and management has decided not to publish earnings guidance for FY3/2021.  Despite the infusion of new capital from the SBI Group, the stock price has fallen even further since our last Insight Shimane Bank (7150 JP):  And Behold, a Pale Knight to just over the ¥400 level.Caveat Emptor!  (May the Buyer Beware!) 

Shimane Bank (7150 JP):  A Paler Shade of Red

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

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/000/118/403/original/2020-02-18_08-44-22.png?1581983074" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="118403"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/118/404/original/2020-02-18_08-42-56.png?1581983098" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="118404"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>THREE-YEAR LOW - With <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bridgestone-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8914:1" rel="noopener">Bridgestone (5108 JP)</a>'s results and revision now added, our final tally for this season is a 196 basis point decline in our Results Sore - the lowest since March 2017.  In contrast, the Forecast/Revision Score reached a three-month high as the 470 companies with December year-ends put an optimistic gloss on their medium-term outlook. As we have noted in our recent daily roundups, a normal precondition for a cycle low is for the Forecast/Revision Score to rise above the Results Score. Forecast/Revision Score peaks and troughs usually occur one to two quarters ahead of those for the Results Score.  Covid-19's impact will likely see the 2016 'playbook' repeated next quarter with a lower Results Score and a 'sideways' Forecast/Results Score. The Results Score cycle low point will be reached with the mostly-interim results to be released in six months. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/118/405/original/2020-02-18_09-29-28.png?1581985792" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="118405"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>LEADING INDICATOR - By including several momentum factors into our Scoring (see below), we can provide a better indication of future business conditions. Indeed there is a 0.83 correlation between the Cabinet Office's Business Condition Leading Indicator and the Forecast/Revision Score. Reported earnings, as well as company forecasts, are lagging indicators and, as shown in Part 1 of this Insight. Both data series peaked one year after our Scores and the market peaked in early 2018. SCORING METHODOLOGY - For those new to these Insights, we briefly recap our scoring methodology below:-<ul>
<li>Results Scores are calculated using the most recent eight quarters of company data for Revenues, Operating Income and Operating Margin and, for each, measure the rate, degree and consistency of change. The Results Score has a maximum of +30 and a minimum of -30 for each period. Our data series commences from the time a particular company issues quarterly results. The sample size becomes significant from March 2005.</li>
<li>The Forecast/Revision Score is based on both Annual and Interim period company forecasts and compares changes from previous forecasts as well as against the trailing twelve-month (TTM) or previous first-half results, with annual forecasts being double-weighted. This Score also has a maximum of +30 and a minimum of -30 for each period.  For this series, our data samples start from August 2008.</li>
<li>The combined Results &amp; Revision Score (RRS) is the average of the Results Score and the Forecasts/Revision Score.</li>
<li>
All company Scores are then cap-weight-aggregated into Sector, Peer Group and Market Composite Scores for which the seventeen-year monthly and two-year daily track records are shown above. Only currently listed-companies are covered in the aggregate Scores, and the Total Market Capitalisation excludes delisted entities. REITs are not included.
<hr>
• SECTOR SCORES •
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/118/410/original/2020-02-18_09-55-29.png?1581987489" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="118410"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>
In the DETAIL Section below, we provide a detailed breakdown of our RRS Scoring for Sectors, Peer Groups and individual companies, highlighting this quarter's 'winners' and 'losers'. The chart above shows a  seventeen-year 'timeline' of the cap-weight-aggregated Sector RRS Scores and the ebbs and flows around the business cycles. The Metals Sector is the most volatile on the downside and has yet to 'bottom' this cycle. Technology Hardware appears to have already rebounded; however, Covid-19 suggests this Sector may relapse. On the upside, the Information Technology Sector has replaced the Internet and Telecoms Sectors as the contra-cyclical 'champion'. 
</li>
</ul>

Source • Japan AnalyticsTHREE-YEAR LOW - With Bridgestone (5108 JP)'s results and revision now added, our final tally for this season is a 196 basis point decline in our Results Sore - the lowest since March 2017.  In contrast, the Forecast/Revision Score reached a three-month high as the 470 companies with December year-ends put an optimistic gloss on their medium-term outlook. As we have noted in our recent daily roundups, a normal precondition for a cycle low is for the Forecast/Revision Score to rise above the Results Score. Forecast/Revision Score peaks and troughs usually occur one to two quarters ahead of those for the Results Score.  Covid-19's impact will likely see the 2016 'playbook' repeated next quarter with a lower Results Score and a 'sideways' Forecast/Results Score. The Results Score cycle low point will be reached with the mostly-interim results to be released in six months. Source • Japan AnalyticsLEADING INDICATOR - By including several momentum factors into our Scoring (see below), we can provide a better indication of future business conditions. Indeed there is a 0.83 correlation between the Cabinet Office's Business Condition Leading Indicator and the Forecast/Revision Score. Reported earnings, as well as company forecasts, are lagging indicators and, as shown in Part 1 of this Insight. Both data series peaked one year after our Scores and the market peaked in early 2018. SCORING METHODOLOGY - For those new to these Insights, we briefly recap our scoring methodology below:-
Results Scores are calculated using the most recent eight quarters of company data for Revenues, Operating Income and Operating Margin and, for each, measure the rate, degree and consistency of change. The Results Score has a maximum of +30 and a minimum of -30 for each period. Our data series commences from the time a particular company issues quarterly results. The sample size becomes significant from March 2005.
The Forecast/Revision Score is based on both Annual and Interim period company forecasts and compares changes from previous forecasts as well as against the trailing twelve-month (TTM) or previous first-half results, with annual forecasts being double-weighted. This Score also has a maximum of +30 and a minimum of -30 for each period.  For this series, our data samples start from August 2008.
The combined Results &amp; Revision Score (RRS) is the average of the Results Score and the Forecasts/Revision Score.

All company Scores are then cap-weight-aggregated into Sector, Peer Group and Market Composite Scores for which the seventeen-year monthly and two-year daily track records are shown above. Only currently listed-companies are covered in the aggregate Scores, and the Total Market Capitalisation excludes delisted entities. REITs are not included.

• SECTOR SCORES •
Source • Japan Analytics
In the DETAIL Section below, we provide a detailed breakdown of our RRS Scoring for Sectors, Peer Groups and individual companies, highlighting this quarter's 'winners' and 'losers'. The chart above shows a  seventeen-year 'timeline' of the cap-weight-aggregated Sector RRS Scores and the ebbs and flows around the business cycles. The Metals Sector is the most volatile on the downside and has yet to 'bottom' this cycle. Technology Hardware appears to have already rebounded; however, Covid-19 suggests this Sector may relapse. On the upside, the Information Technology Sector has replaced the Internet and Telecoms Sectors as the contra-cyclical 'champion'. 



🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP! Part 2: 2020-Q1 Results & Revision Scores

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<section id="research-document-GPS-3226601--section_3" data-jpmucid="section-3226601-649750a3756f407d8161a979bd684d4d"><section id="research-document-GPS-3226601--section_7" data-jpmucid="section-3226601-0e5c8192f0094e27a4e661e117937823"><ul data-jpmucid="ul-3226601-fd899d950d064363948c22635ca0a029">
<li data-jpmucid="li-3226601-75b10568706b49de9ee7aed1c6efd8e1">SMTH posted well-balanced FY 1H19 results, achieving growth in net business income and net profit. </li>
<li data-jpmucid="li-3226601-75b10568706b49de9ee7aed1c6efd8e1">SMTH Lowered Guidance For Customer-facing Businesses. </li>
</ul>
<ul data-jpmucid="ul-3226601-fd899d950d064363948c22635ca0a029">
<li data-jpmucid="li-3226601-3d61c3c251564b6db7b2e03c2812b45c">
High Yield F/X Credit Growth.  </li>
<li data-jpmucid="li-3226601-00592950bf1e4c4787093005a975b177">
Growth By Cost Rationalization.  </li>
<li data-jpmucid="li-3226601-00592950bf1e4c4787093005a975b177"> Balance Sheet Restructure: </li>
</ul></section></section>


SMTH posted well-balanced FY 1H19 results, achieving growth in net business income and net profit. 
SMTH Lowered Guidance For Customer-facing Businesses. 



High Yield F/X Credit Growth.  

Growth By Cost Rationalization.  
 Balance Sheet Restructure: 


Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings - FY 2019 Earnings Appear To Be In The Bag But Future Prospects Weak

Japan

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. is a holding company established jointly by Chuo Mitsui Trust Holdings and Sumitomo Trust and Banking. As a financial group, the Bank provides trust banking business, as well as securities brokerage, assets management, and related financial services.

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Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings (8309 JP)

MUFG – Painful to Watch

*MUFG Pre-Announcement: According to Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.JP) [MUFG], FY 2019 preliminary profit declined to its lowest level in a...

Thomas J. Monaco

Japan Mega-Banks – Fukuoka Financial A Harbinger For Results Season

*Pre-Announcement Has Sector Implications: Fukuoka Financial Group (8354.JP) [FFG] recently announced a revision to its FY 2019 consolidated net...

Thomas J. Monaco

Shimane Bank (7150 JP): A Paler Shade of Red

Tiny, struggling Shimane Bank Ltd/ The (7150 JP), a Japanese secondary regional bank from Shimane Prefecture in the Chugoku Region of western Japan...

J. Brian Waterhouse

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP! Part 2: 2020-Q1 Results & Revision Scores

THREE-YEAR LOW - With Bridgestone (5108 JP)'s results and revision now added, our final tally for this season is a 196 basis point decline in our...

Campbell Gunn

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings - FY 2019 Earnings Appear To Be In The Bag But Future Prospects Weak

SMTH posted well-balanced FY 1H19 results, achieving growth in net business income and net profit. SMTH Lowered Guidance For Customer-facing...

Thomas J. Monaco

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