Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

Commodities and related stocks are on the rise. Crude oil, industrial metals, and lumber prices are all breaking out to new highs and related energy and materials stocks are reaping the benefits. We expect their outperformance to continue. In this week's report we highlight commodities and actionable associated stocks.

Commodities and related stocks are on the rise. Crude oil, industrial metals, and lumber prices are all breaking out to new highs and related energy and materials stocks are reaping the benefits. We expect their outperformance to continue. In this week's report we highlight commodities and actionable associated stocks.

Opportunities in Global Energy & Materials Stocks

Japan Economist, Japan Macro Advisors

Takuji Okubo

Japan Economist

Concise and Insightful Analysis on Japan Economy

Japan Macro Advisors

Our mission is to provide a concise and timely analysis on the Japanese economy for the benefit of global audiences. Communication, especially in foreign languages, has always been a weakness for the Japanese, which was fine when Japan's economic might attracted foreign media and various other institutions to study and report on Japan - such days are long gone. In the last two decades, we saw foreign institutions reallocating their resources from Japan to other more exciting parts of the world. As a result, when we read reporting on Japan in foreign media, we sense a subtle but noticeable decline in the depth of understanding what is actually happening in Japan.

Macroeconomics

For years, ROE among Japanese companies languished in low single digits. No more. The average ROE rose to 9.1% in the fiscal year 2017, clearing the 8% "minimum" target set by the influential government commission Ito Report published in 2014. The Japanese companies managed to raise their ROE not through financial leverage but through higher ROA and fatter profit margin. We find it remarkable that non-manufacturers, long considered an inefficient part of Japan Inc. are enjoying an unprecedented level of ROA in recent years. In our view, the rise in ROE is combined results of the cyclical upturn in the economy and the improvements in the corporate governance in Japan.

For years, ROE among Japanese companies languished in low single digits. No more. The average ROE rose to 9.1% in the fiscal year 2017, clearing the 8% "minimum" target set by the influential government commission Ito Report published in 2014. The Japanese companies managed to raise their ROE not through financial leverage but through higher ROA and fatter profit margin. We find it remarkable that non-manufacturers, long considered an inefficient part of Japan Inc. are enjoying an unprecedented level of ROA in recent years. In our view, the rise in ROE is combined results of the cyclical upturn in the economy and the improvements in the corporate governance in Japan. 

Japan Entering a New Era of Capital Efficiency

In our April International Strategy, we explore the recent consolidation across global equity markets and examine the following opportunities within:<ul><li>Defensive Sectors, including an actionable Group within Health Care: Pharmaceuticals</li><li>Japan and Hong Kong</li><li>Emerging Markets</li></ul>Also included are links to in-depth commentary on all 12 sectors

In our April International Strategy, we explore the recent consolidation across global equity markets and examine the following opportunities within:Defensive Sectors, including an actionable Group within Health Care: PharmaceuticalsJapan and Hong KongEmerging MarketsAlso included are links to in-depth commentary on all 12 sectors

Global Equity Strategy: Opportunities in Japan, HK, &  EM

Corrective action is spreading throughout most major indexes, and many are currently testing critical support levels. With market internals still mixed, we continue to believe that further consolidation and volatility is the most likely scenario. In today’s report we provide an overview of global markets and highlight our top recommendations.

Corrective action is spreading throughout most major indexes, and many are currently testing critical support levels. With market internals still mixed, we continue to believe that further consolidation and volatility is the most likely scenario. In today’s report we provide an overview of global markets and highlight our top recommendations.

ESG Research Specialist, Lightbulb Capital

Simon Peladeau

ESG Research Specialist

Lightbulb Capital

According to the Japan Sustainable Investment Forum (JSIF), the total sustainable investment market in Japan is measured at US$1.28 trillion, up from US$7.0 billion in 2014. The dramatic growth can be explained by the combination of Japan’s governance and stewardship codes, and an enhanced focus on ESG integration from the world’s largest pension fund (GPIF). This has contributed to a 58% increase in dividends since 2014.

According to the Japan Sustainable Investment Forum (JSIF), the total sustainable investment market in Japan is measured at US$1.28 trillion, up from US$7.0 billion in 2014. The dramatic growth can be explained by the combination of Japan’s governance and stewardship codes, and an enhanced focus on ESG integration from the world’s largest pension fund (GPIF). This has contributed to a 58% increase in dividends since 2014.

A Look into Japan’s Surge in ESG-Focused Assets Under Management

Japan

The TOPIX, also known as the Tokyo Stock Price Index, is a capitalization-weighted index of all companies listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The index is supplemented by the subindices of the 33 industry sectors. The index calculation excludes temporary issues and preferred stocks, and has a base value of 100 as of January 4, 1968.

TSE Tokyo Price Index TOPIX (TPX INDEX)

Opportunities in Global Energy & Materials Stocks

Commodities and related stocks are on the rise. Crude oil, industrial metals, and lumber prices are all breaking out to new highs and related...

Vermilion Research

Japan Entering a New Era of Capital Efficiency

For years, ROE among Japanese companies languished in low single digits. No more. The average ROE rose to 9.1% in the fiscal year 2017, clearing...

Takuji Okubo

Global Equity Strategy: Opportunities in Japan, HK, & EM

In our April International Strategy, we explore the recent consolidation across global equity markets and examine the following opportunities...

Vermilion Research

Technical Appraisal of Global Markets

Corrective action is spreading throughout most major indexes, and many are currently testing critical support levels. With market internals still...

Vermilion Research

A Look into Japan’s Surge in ESG-Focused Assets Under Management

According to the Japan Sustainable Investment Forum (JSIF), the total sustainable investment market in Japan is measured at US$1.28 trillion, up...

Simon Peladeau