Chart based progressive global trading strategies, Chart Partners

Thomas Schroeder

Chart based progressive global trading strategies

Chart Partners

Chart Partners objective is to discover medium-term cycle turns and profit opportunities before they unfold, within structural trends while preserving capital with clear degrees of risk. We have real return ideas. 

Markets are dynamic and trading systems must reflect this. It is crucial to determine underlying correlations and lead-lag relationships within global markets and the impact on linked instruments. Our weekly Chartonics product gives you short-term trading strategies that can be applied within the medium and longer term macro trends that are mapped out in our strategy updates. 

Our methodology fuses global market variables and isolates drivers in trends. We specialize in FX, index trade in NY and Asia with a focus on Asian stocks. 

Technical Analysis

Takeda Pharmaceutical / Technical Analysis

<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> demonstrates a bias to break below 3,580 pivot support into oversold territory ahead of staging a bounce cycle on the back of an RSI reading below 30. The macro bias remains bearish on bounces barring a breakout above trendline resistance.Macro cycle remains down barring a break above 4,200, representing the price and trendline break point that would turn the current down trend.Two trades are outlined. 1) A counter trend bounce play into short term weakness. 2) Short a bounce cycle in line with the current down trend.Sustained action below 3,580 will weigh on the macro cycle.

Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP) demonstrates a bias to break below 3,580 pivot support into oversold territory ahead of staging a bounce cycle on the back of an RSI reading below 30. The macro bias remains bearish on bounces barring a breakout above trendline resistance.Macro cycle remains down barring a break above 4,200, representing the price and trendline break point that would turn the current down trend.Two trades are outlined. 1) A counter trend bounce play into short term weakness. 2) Short a bounce cycle in line with the current down trend.Sustained action below 3,580 will weigh on the macro cycle.

'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/000/158/693/original/2020-09-14_09-50-37.png?1600044664" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158693"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables except as stated: Japan Analytics</div>EQUITY-DRIVEN - Japan's aggregate Shareholders' Equity has appreciated by 45% since 2014 - an annual rate of 5.5% and has been one of the key achievements of the 'Abe era'. For the five years before 2012, Shareholders Equity was unchanged, buffeted by the 2008/9 financial crisis and the 3/11.  Although the equity market has responded well to the change in reserves, Japan's PBR has remained within a range of 1.05 to 1.38 over the last decade and is unchanged compared to 2010. In prior post-bubble 'lost' decades, the average PBR was 1.8 times. In other markets, the rise of intangible assets has called the use of Book/Price as a metric and the S&amp;P 500 PBR is now almost three times that of the Japan aggregate having bottomed at 1.78 in March 2009.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/694/original/File%202020-09-14%2010%2007%2037.jpeg?1600045681" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158694"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: multpl.com</div>BOOK VALUE PER SHARE - In this Insight, we shall look at Japan's larger-cap companies (current market value &gt;¥100 billion) through the 'lens' of book value per share. Our focus will be less on the 'winners' and 'losers' than on those companies that have seen the least change in 'BVPS' over the last seven years. Our share count excludes treasury shares which is to the benefit of companies such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-telegraph-telephone-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:623:1" rel="noopener">NTT (9432 JP)</a> which has seen a 20% reduction in Net Shares Outstanding, but only a 9% increase in Shareholders' Equity. A BVPS growth metric does, however, flatter serial issuers of equity with declining share prices, such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sosei-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:770:1" rel="noopener">Sosei (4565 JP)</a>.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/696/original/2020-09-14_10-26-48.png?1600046818" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158696"></figure>WINNERS - As many may ask and for the record, our 'winning' thirty companies contains many of Japan's best-performing businesses and 'priciest 'stocks, such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monotaro-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15441:1" rel="noopener">Monotaro (3064 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/m3-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13316:1" rel="noopener">M3 (2413 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gmo-payment-gateway-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1492:1" rel="noopener">GMO Payment Gateway (3769 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kobe-bussan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4701:1" rel="noopener">Kobe Bussan (3038 JP)</a>. Some of the more surprising entries are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mixi-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:602:1" rel="noopener">mixi (2121 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electric-power-co-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15457:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Electric Power (9501 JP)</a>.  As an equally-weighted portfolio, this group has outperformed by 30% over one year and by 11% over the last three months.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/697/original/2020-09-14_10-33-13.png?1600047204" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158697"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/698/original/2020-09-14_10-33-41.png?1600047231" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158698"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/701/original/2020-09-14_10-47-56.png?1600048087" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158701"></figure>LOSERS - Our list of losers, who have collectively underperformed by 9% over one year, have many of Japan's weaker business models (shipping, oil &amp; gas, paper, copiers, gaming machines. The list also features some of the less-astute management 'teams' (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba (6502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissan-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:72:1" rel="noopener">Nissan (7201 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kirin-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16977:1" rel="noopener">Kirin (2503 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lixil-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:454:1" rel="noopener">Lixil (5938 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon (8267 JP)</a>).  Also among the latter are two medical-related business - the now remained <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/h-u-group-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16580:1" rel="noopener">H.U. Group (4544 JP)</a> (formerly Miraca) and recent Bain PE target <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nichii-gakkan-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6790:1" rel="noopener">Nichii Gakkan (9792 JP)</a>.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/706/original/2020-09-14_10-57-45.png?1600048692" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158706"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/158/707/original/2020-09-14_10-59-22.png?1600048774" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="158707"></figure>In the DETAIL section below, we all review the large companies that have seen the least change in BVPS over the last seven years and those with the lowest BVPS volatility over the same period. Our lists contain quite a few surprises.

Source for all charts &amp; tables except as stated: Japan AnalyticsEQUITY-DRIVEN - Japan's aggregate Shareholders' Equity has appreciated by 45% since 2014 - an annual rate of 5.5% and has been one of the key achievements of the 'Abe era'. For the five years before 2012, Shareholders Equity was unchanged, buffeted by the 2008/9 financial crisis and the 3/11.  Although the equity market has responded well to the change in reserves, Japan's PBR has remained within a range of 1.05 to 1.38 over the last decade and is unchanged compared to 2010. In prior post-bubble 'lost' decades, the average PBR was 1.8 times. In other markets, the rise of intangible assets has called the use of Book/Price as a metric and the S&amp;P 500 PBR is now almost three times that of the Japan aggregate having bottomed at 1.78 in March 2009.Source: multpl.comBOOK VALUE PER SHARE - In this Insight, we shall look at Japan's larger-cap companies (current market value &gt;¥100 billion) through the 'lens' of book value per share. Our focus will be less on the 'winners' and 'losers' than on those companies that have seen the least change in 'BVPS' over the last seven years. Our share count excludes treasury shares which is to the benefit of companies such as NTT (9432 JP) which has seen a 20% reduction in Net Shares Outstanding, but only a 9% increase in Shareholders' Equity. A BVPS growth metric does, however, flatter serial issuers of equity with declining share prices, such as Sosei (4565 JP).WINNERS - As many may ask and for the record, our 'winning' thirty companies contains many of Japan's best-performing businesses and 'priciest 'stocks, such as Monotaro (3064 JP), M3 (2413 JP), GMO Payment Gateway (3769 JP), and Kobe Bussan (3038 JP). Some of the more surprising entries are mixi (2121 JP) and Tokyo Electric Power (9501 JP).  As an equally-weighted portfolio, this group has outperformed by 30% over one year and by 11% over the last three months.LOSERS - Our list of losers, who have collectively underperformed by 9% over one year, have many of Japan's weaker business models (shipping, oil &amp; gas, paper, copiers, gaming machines. The list also features some of the less-astute management 'teams' (Toshiba (6502 JP), Nissan (7201 JP), Kirin (2503 JP), Lixil (5938 JP), and Aeon (8267 JP)).  Also among the latter are two medical-related business - the now remained H.U. Group (4544 JP) (formerly Miraca) and recent Bain PE target Nichii Gakkan (9792 JP).In the DETAIL section below, we all review the large companies that have seen the least change in BVPS over the last seven years and those with the lowest BVPS volatility over the same period. Our lists contain quite a few surprises.

🇯🇵 Japan • Every Shareholder Left Behind - The Book Value Per Share Metric

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Equity Capital Markets

On 21 May, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>  <a href="https://group.softbank/en/news/press/20200521" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a sale of approximately 240 million shares of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27445:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Corp (9434 JP)</a> - roughly 5.0% of shares outstanding - at a price of ¥1,306.5-1,320/share (a discount of 4.0-5.0% to the close that day of ¥1,375). It lowered the consolidated holding of Softbank Corp from 67.1% to 62.1% and was not unexpected given the fact that Softbank Group had previously <a href="https://group.softbank/en/news/press/20200323" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a "JPY 4.5 trillion (USD 41 billion) Program to Repurchase Shares and Reduce Debt" on 23 March. This would lose Softbank Group the super-majority but that had to be expected eventually. 
The block sale announced 21 May had been preceded by an announcement at the earnings results a day before that Softbank Group had sold $11.5bn of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> shares and was followed a month later by the <a href="https://group.softbank/en/news/press/20200624" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a> of a sale of US$20bn of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/t-mobile-us-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:922:1" rel="noopener">T Mobile Us Inc (TMUS US)</a> which got them to ¥3.7trln of assets sold and cash raised. The Softbank Group <a href="https://group.softbank/system/files/pdf/ir/presentations/2020/investor-presentation_q1fy2020_01_en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q1 Investor Presentation</a> from 12 August showed that a slightly larger amount had been raised because of better execution on the forward sale of Alibaba shares, but it should be noted that had other costs associated. Other gains were made by selling other small positions and the write-back of previously-unrecognized NOL tax-loss carry-forwards at SBG due to the sale of Softbank Corp shares.
HUGE progress had been made, and the hindrance to Softbank's plans at this point are mostly market liquidity for their own shares. 
<h2>The NEW News</h2>
Today (28 August) after the close, Softbank Group <a href="https://group.softbank/system/files/news/press/2020/20200828/pdf/20200828_en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a selldown of up to 1.028bn shares (the sale of 927.49mm shares is underwritten, and there are another 100.5mm shares in the greenshoe) of Softbank Corp, which would take its stake from 61.97% (62.47% including Treasury Shares) to 40.32% (40.64% incl Treasury shares immediately, 41.34% if the Softbank Corp buyback is executed), whereupon Softbank Group would hold its remaining position for the "medium-to-long-term."
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/155/595/original/Screenshot%202020-08-28%20at%205.28.04%20PM.png?1598606901" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="155595"></figure>
Assuming the greenshoe gets done and the trade gets done at a 5% discount to the close (¥1431.5), it is a ¥1.4trln deal for 21.65% of the company. The fact that this has been mostly underwritten suggests brokers are confident the existing very high dividend yield will be attractive. 
It is a sale targeted 75% to domestic investors and 25% to international investors.  Given the sale would lift minority-held shares out by 56.9% and likely lifts Real World Float by more than 80%, this is a deal which will be more SOLD than BOUGHT. 
To partially mitigate the impact of the supply, Softbank Corp today <a href="https://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/set/data/news/press/sbkk/2020/20200828_01/pdf/20200828_01.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a buyback program to buy back up to 80 million shares for up to ¥100bn to run from 1 October 2020 through 31 March 2021. Softbank Group will continue to treat Softbank Corp as a consolidated subsidiary. 
This has potential repercussions on the sector dynamics near-term, the float, index supply/demand, etc. Much more detail below.

On 21 May, Softbank Group (9984 JP)  announced a sale of approximately 240 million shares of Softbank Corp (9434 JP) - roughly 5.0% of shares outstanding - at a price of ¥1,306.5-1,320/share (a discount of 4.0-5.0% to the close that day of ¥1,375). It lowered the consolidated holding of Softbank Corp from 67.1% to 62.1% and was not unexpected given the fact that Softbank Group had previously announced a "JPY 4.5 trillion (USD 41 billion) Program to Repurchase Shares and Reduce Debt" on 23 March. This would lose Softbank Group the super-majority but that had to be expected eventually. 
The block sale announced 21 May had been preceded by an announcement at the earnings results a day before that Softbank Group had sold $11.5bn of Alibaba Group (BABA US) shares and was followed a month later by the announcement of a sale of US$20bn of T Mobile Us Inc (TMUS US) which got them to ¥3.7trln of assets sold and cash raised. The Softbank Group Q1 Investor Presentation from 12 August showed that a slightly larger amount had been raised because of better execution on the forward sale of Alibaba shares, but it should be noted that had other costs associated. Other gains were made by selling other small positions and the write-back of previously-unrecognized NOL tax-loss carry-forwards at SBG due to the sale of Softbank Corp shares.
HUGE progress had been made, and the hindrance to Softbank's plans at this point are mostly market liquidity for their own shares. 
The NEW News
Today (28 August) after the close, Softbank Group announced a selldown of up to 1.028bn shares (the sale of 927.49mm shares is underwritten, and there are another 100.5mm shares in the greenshoe) of Softbank Corp, which would take its stake from 61.97% (62.47% including Treasury Shares) to 40.32% (40.64% incl Treasury shares immediately, 41.34% if the Softbank Corp buyback is executed), whereupon Softbank Group would hold its remaining position for the "medium-to-long-term."

Assuming the greenshoe gets done and the trade gets done at a 5% discount to the close (¥1431.5), it is a ¥1.4trln deal for 21.65% of the company. The fact that this has been mostly underwritten suggests brokers are confident the existing very high dividend yield will be attractive. 
It is a sale targeted 75% to domestic investors and 25% to international investors.  Given the sale would lift minority-held shares out by 56.9% and likely lifts Real World Float by more than 80%, this is a deal which will be more SOLD than BOUGHT. 
To partially mitigate the impact of the supply, Softbank Corp today announced a buyback program to buy back up to 80 million shares for up to ¥100bn to run from 1 October 2020 through 31 March 2021. Softbank Group will continue to treat Softbank Corp as a consolidated subsidiary. 
This has potential repercussions on the sector dynamics near-term, the float, index supply/demand, etc. Much more detail below.

Softbank Corp (9434) BIGGER Block Offering

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/153/689/original/2020-08-20_08-32-43.png?1597879991" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="153689"></figure><div class="content-caption">All charts sourced from Japan Analytics.</div>BRUTAL - The summer earnings 'season' reflected the broadening impact of COVID-19 on the Japanese and world economies, however, in terms of profit decline, the pace is more moderate than in the previous quarter. Japanese corporates are starting to engage in aggressive cost controls. As a result, an with no signs of virus abating or a vaccine being readily available, earnings will continue to decline in the current quarter. We have yet to reach a low point in this earnings cycle. Many companies delayed making initial forecasts for the current year. As that deficiency is gradually remedied, earnings forecasts are leading trailing results to the downside. The 'gap' for operating profits is ¥5.7 trillion, or 13%. A similar percentage fall applies to net income. Operating income is forecast to be 41% below the peak level of 2019; for net income, the decline is 57%. The aggregate forecast operating margin of 4.8%% is 294 bps lower than the peak, while the forecast net margin is 318 bps lower at 2.67%. If achieved, this outcome will exceed that of the 2008/9 financial crisis when the aggregate was negative. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/153/694/original/2020-08-20_09-02-34.png?1597881766" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="153694"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/153/695/original/2020-08-20_09-03-07.png?1597881801" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="153695"></figure>TTM RESULTS &amp; FORECASTS - Using trailing-twelve-month data to smooth out the seasonality in earnings, TTM operating income is 29% lower year-on-year on a 6% decline in sales. Running the same comparison using published forecasts, operating profit expectations are 40% lower than a year ago and revenues 10% lower.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/153/727/original/2020-08-20_10-57-21.png?1597888653" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="153727"></figure>DAMN THE TORPEDOES - Our scoring methodology tracks all quarterly results since 2003 and every annual and interim forecast made since 2013. The lines above represent the cap-weighted aggregates of those scores overlayed with the daily series for TOPIX. Other than the three years before the advent of 'Abenomics' and the last six months, the directional correlation is clear.  Mr Market, supported by the BoJ and Federal Reserve, is 'banking' on a sharp and sustained recovery over the next two quarters. <div class="content-highlight">In the DETAIL section below, we shall review the actual results and initial and revised forecasts by Sector and highlight the best and worst-performing companies by one-quarter revenue and margin changes. We shall also review our Results and Revision Scoring for the market, Sectors and Companies.</div>

All charts sourced from Japan Analytics.BRUTAL - The summer earnings 'season' reflected the broadening impact of COVID-19 on the Japanese and world economies, however, in terms of profit decline, the pace is more moderate than in the previous quarter. Japanese corporates are starting to engage in aggressive cost controls. As a result, an with no signs of virus abating or a vaccine being readily available, earnings will continue to decline in the current quarter. We have yet to reach a low point in this earnings cycle. Many companies delayed making initial forecasts for the current year. As that deficiency is gradually remedied, earnings forecasts are leading trailing results to the downside. The 'gap' for operating profits is ¥5.7 trillion, or 13%. A similar percentage fall applies to net income. Operating income is forecast to be 41% below the peak level of 2019; for net income, the decline is 57%. The aggregate forecast operating margin of 4.8%% is 294 bps lower than the peak, while the forecast net margin is 318 bps lower at 2.67%. If achieved, this outcome will exceed that of the 2008/9 financial crisis when the aggregate was negative. TTM RESULTS &amp; FORECASTS - Using trailing-twelve-month data to smooth out the seasonality in earnings, TTM operating income is 29% lower year-on-year on a 6% decline in sales. Running the same comparison using published forecasts, operating profit expectations are 40% lower than a year ago and revenues 10% lower.DAMN THE TORPEDOES - Our scoring methodology tracks all quarterly results since 2003 and every annual and interim forecast made since 2013. The lines above represent the cap-weighted aggregates of those scores overlayed with the daily series for TOPIX. Other than the three years before the advent of 'Abenomics' and the last six months, the directional correlation is clear.  Mr Market, supported by the BoJ and Federal Reserve, is 'banking' on a sharp and sustained recovery over the next two quarters. In the DETAIL section below, we shall review the actual results and initial and revised forecasts by Sector and highlight the best and worst-performing companies by one-quarter revenue and margin changes. We shall also review our Results and Revision Scoring for the market, Sectors and Companies.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Summer 2020 Results & Revisions Review

Quantitative Analysis

The question has been asked about dividends in Japan and what they may look like for the remainder of this year and into 2021. Japanese companies have grown revenues over the past ten years, and have grown net income quite a bit faster. In addition, payout ratios have risen on a normalized basis since their last-decade lows in 2014. Because net income has dropped in the past year while dividends paid out have risen, payout ratios have spiked sharply. With the very large amount of buybacks executed in the past fiscal year to March 2020, total payout to shareholders has been quite significant. But COVID-19 has changed things. When companies announced earnings in April and May, a huge swath of corporate Japan neglected to provide forecasts. The largest number I have ever seen provided forecasts in ranges rather than as numbers. When Q1 earnings came around, many companies made a stab at full-year. Some have provided dividend guidance but net income in the April-June quarter along with forecasts for H1 and FY have given the Street some comfort to be able to forecast earnings and DPS. If one looks at the top 500, top 1000, and full set of companies in TOPIX on a like-for-like basis (where guidance exists), company guidance on both net income and dividends is below where the Street is (on a consensus basis). I expect, for the moment, that the Street still may have some to come down. There is every possibility that covid-19 aftershocks will produce some VERY bad numbers, but I do not expect that many companies to exceed forecasts by a wide margin. Some WFH and tech names may do well, but Japan is not NASDAQ (much to the chagrin of Japan's investors). On the whole, there are significant discrepancies in forecasts among sectors - autos, airlines, materials are all bad - but interestingly, there is also huge discrepancy among market cap biases. Even on a like-for-like basis on coverage or guidance, the top 500 names see total dividend forecasts for the FY to March 2021 only 3% lower than what was paid in the year to March 2020. That seems like a relatively small drop. The consensus implied drop in DPS for the next 500 names seems considerably larger, though some of this may be to worse data quality as you go down the market cap scale. A study of dividends this year and beyond continues below.

The question has been asked about dividends in Japan and what they may look like for the remainder of this year and into 2021. Japanese companies have grown revenues over the past ten years, and have grown net income quite a bit faster. In addition, payout ratios have risen on a normalized basis since their last-decade lows in 2014. Because net income has dropped in the past year while dividends paid out have risen, payout ratios have spiked sharply. With the very large amount of buybacks executed in the past fiscal year to March 2020, total payout to shareholders has been quite significant. But COVID-19 has changed things. When companies announced earnings in April and May, a huge swath of corporate Japan neglected to provide forecasts. The largest number I have ever seen provided forecasts in ranges rather than as numbers. When Q1 earnings came around, many companies made a stab at full-year. Some have provided dividend guidance but net income in the April-June quarter along with forecasts for H1 and FY have given the Street some comfort to be able to forecast earnings and DPS. If one looks at the top 500, top 1000, and full set of companies in TOPIX on a like-for-like basis (where guidance exists), company guidance on both net income and dividends is below where the Street is (on a consensus basis). I expect, for the moment, that the Street still may have some to come down. There is every possibility that covid-19 aftershocks will produce some VERY bad numbers, but I do not expect that many companies to exceed forecasts by a wide margin. Some WFH and tech names may do well, but Japan is not NASDAQ (much to the chagrin of Japan's investors). On the whole, there are significant discrepancies in forecasts among sectors - autos, airlines, materials are all bad - but interestingly, there is also huge discrepancy among market cap biases. Even on a like-for-like basis on coverage or guidance, the top 500 names see total dividend forecasts for the FY to March 2021 only 3% lower than what was paid in the year to March 2020. That seems like a relatively small drop. The consensus implied drop in DPS for the next 500 names seems considerably larger, though some of this may be to worse data quality as you go down the market cap scale. A study of dividends this year and beyond continues below.

Japan

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company committed to the therapeutic fields of Urology, Immunology including Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Oncology, Neuroscience and DM Complications and Metabolic Diseases. With over 17,000 global employees, Astellas researches, develops, manufactures, and promotes its prescription drugs through subsidiaries in the US, Europe, and Asia

Otsuka Holdings Co Ltd is a pharmaceutical company. The Company manufactures, sells, imports and exports pharmaceuticals, clinical testing, and medical equipment for intractable diseases.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is engaged in research and development, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and import and export of pharmaceutical drugs. The Company focuses on the core therapeutic areas of oncology, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system disease.

Daiichi Sankyo Co, Ltd is a holding company established through merger of Sankyo and Daiichi pharmaceutical. The Group manufactures pharmaceuticals for human/veterinary use and medical tools and equipment. It also researches and promotes products through related companies throughout the world. The Group also produces food, food additives, livestock feeds, and agrochemicals.

ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. manufactures and sells pharmaceuticals.  The Company mainly researches and develops prescription drugs.

Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co.,Ltd. develops, manufactures, and markets pharmaceuticals. The Company's products include a protein produced by genetic recombination technology, an anti-anemia agent that attaches new sugar chains through partial modification of the amino acid sequence of human erythropoietin (EPO), and a glycoprotein, human erythropoietin.

Shionogi & Company Ltd., is a pharmaceutical company. The Company develops prescription & over-the-counter drugs and diagnostics.

Eisai Co., Ltd. produces prescription drugs and medical equipment and sells mainly to sales agents and subsidiaries.  Through its subsidiary, Sanko Junyaku, the Company produces and sells diagnostic drugs.  Eisai also markets its products through related companies in the US, Europe, and Asia.  The Company also manufactures and sells foods, livestock feeds, chemical, and agrochemicals.

ROHTO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals and cosmetics products.  The Company's products include eyewash, bath soaps, gastrointestinal medicine, and hand cream.  Rohto Pharmaceutical also has a license agreement with its subsidiary, Mentholatum (US) to sell their brand products.  The Company also manufactures contact lenses and health foods.

SANTEN PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. produces and sells ophthalmic medicine.  The Company manufactures a variety of products including eye drops and ointments. Santen Pharmaceutical also imports lenses and tools and equipment used by optometrists and produces anti-rheumatic drugs.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals for domestic and international distribution. The Company's pharmaceutical portfolio includes drugs in the areas of diabetes, cardiology, neurology, psychiatry and  gastroenterology.

Cipla Limited manufactures and sells pharmaceutical and personal care products. The Company offers active pharmaceutical ingredients, and formulations in therapeutic areas, such as allergy, analgesic, anti malarial, anti-infectives, cardiology, dermatology and cosmeceuticals, diabetology, gastroenterology, steroids, iron chelators, nutritional products.

Cadila Healthcare Ltd. manufactures, and markets healthcare solutions ranging from formulations, active pharmaceutical ingredients, vaccines, diagnostics, health and dietetic foods, animal healthcare to cosmeceuticals.  The Company's products are available in tablets, capsules, injections, liquids, dry syrups, powders, granules, and ointments.

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures, and markets a variety of medicines and medicine packing materials. The Company's products include anti-tumor medicines, pain-killers, anti-infection medicines, aluminum foil, and other related products.

Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets Chinese traditional medicines, including Pientzehuang, Pientzehuang capsules, Pientzehuang lozenge, cough syrup, and other related products.

Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (600436 CH)

Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited provides a complete range of pharmaceutical services. The Company manufactures bulk drugs and formulations including verapamil and cephalexin. The Company also manufactures and exports molecules such as norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and varieties of semi-synthetic penicillin. The Company markets its products in India and around the world.

UCB SA is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company specializes in the treatment of central nervous system disorders and inflammatory diseases. UCB operates worldwide.

Merck KGaA is a global pharmaceutical and chemicals company. The Company researches drugs in the areas oncology and neurodegenerative as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Also, it markets cardiovascular, fertility, endocrinology, and over-the-counter products as well as products for flat screens and the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, packaging, and coatings.

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Limited operates as a pharmaceutical company. The Company manufactures and sells anti-infectives, anti-neoplastic agents, diabetes drugs, and other products. Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group markets its products throughout China.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited operates as a pharmaceutical company. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets generic and branded human pharmaceuticals, as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries serves customers worldwide.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd focuses on the Research & Development, Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing and Import/Export of Pharmaceutical Drugs. The Company focuses on the following core therapeutic areas: Cardiovascular & Metabolic, Oncology, Central Nervous System, Respiratory & Immunology, General Medicine (Gastrointestinal & Genitourinary) and Vaccine.

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Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)

Takeda Pharma Bear Press Below 3,580

Takeda Pharmaceutical demonstrates a bias to break below 3,580 pivot support into oversold territory setting up a bounce trade. The macro bias...

Thomas Schroeder

Softbank Corp (9434) BIGGER Block Offering

On 21 May, Softbank Group (9984 JP) announced a sale of approximately 240 million shares of Softbank Corp (9434 JP) - roughly 5.0% of shares...

Travis Lundy

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Summer 2020 Results & Revisions Review

BRUTAL - The summer earnings 'season' reflected the broadening impact of COVID-19 on the Japanese and world economies, however, in terms of profit...

Campbell Gunn

Looking at Japan Dividends This Year

The question has been asked about dividends in Japan and what they may look like for the remainder of this year and into 2021. Japanese companies...

Travis Lundy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Takeda Pharma Bear Press Below 3,580

Takeda Pharmaceutical demonstrates a bias to break below 3,580 pivot support into oversold territory setting up a bounce trade. The macro bias...

Thomas Schroeder

🇯🇵 Japan • Every Shareholder Left Behind - The Book Value Per Share Metric

EQUITY-DRIVEN - Japans

Campbell Gunn

Softbank Corp (9434) BIGGER Block Offering

On 21 May, Softbank Group (9984 JP) announced a sale of approximately 240 million shares of Softbank Corp (9434 JP) - roughly 5.0% of shares...

Travis Lundy

🇯🇵 JAPAN • IT’S A WRAP - Summer 2020 Results & Revisions Review

BRUTAL - The summer earnings 'season' reflected the broadening impact of COVID-19 on the Japanese and world economies, however, in terms of profit...

Campbell Gunn

Looking at Japan Dividends This Year

The question has been asked about dividends in Japan and what they may look like for the remainder of this year and into 2021. Japanese companies...

Travis Lundy