Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

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.

Event-Driven

<p>Last week, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the US private equity firm Carlyle Group intends to invest over ¥1.0 trillion in Japan over the next five years. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/mio-kato" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mio Kato</a> has suggested three potential candidates based on Carlyle’s previous investments in Japan - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/a-d-company-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A&amp;D (7745 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fujio-food-system-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12242:1" rel="noopener">Fujio Food System (2752 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-oil-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4035:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Oil (2607 JP)</a>. In this Insight, we review Fuji Oil, a food materials company, in which <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu (8001 JP)</a> has a 38.5% stake (an increase from 33.2% in March 2020).</p>

Last week, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the US private equity firm Carlyle Group intends to invest over ¥1.0 trillion in Japan over the next five years. Mio Kato has suggested three potential candidates based on Carlyle’s previous investments in Japan - A&amp;D (7745 JP), Fujio Food System (2752 JP), and Fuji Oil (2607 JP). In this Insight, we review Fuji Oil, a food materials company, in which Itochu (8001 JP) has a 38.5% stake (an increase from 33.2% in March 2020).

Fuji Oil In Itochu's Industry Consolidation Plans?

Equity Bottom-Up

<div>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissin-foods-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nissin Foods (2897 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyo-suisan-kaisha-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16752:1" rel="noopener">Toyo Suisan (2875 JP)</a> share 40% and 20%, respectively, of Japan’s ¥607 billion instant noodle market which has seen compound average volume growth of 0.7% over the last ten years. Cup-type instant noodles has grown 1.5% by volume, while the bagged instant noodles have declined by 1.1%.</div>
<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/140/833/original/image_13870583021592490736757.png?1592490735" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="140833"></figure>
Source: Company Disclosures</div>
<div>Globally, Japan has the sixth-highest per capita instant noodles consumption at 3.7 servings a month - behind South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Nepal. Demographics and increasing health awareness are likely to constrain future volume growth and pricing is becoming an increasingly important factor. Nissin, and to a lesser extent, and Toyo Suisan, have increased average unit prices by introducing new products and flavours. Additionally, the average price of cup-type noodles is 61% higher than bagged instant noodles.</div>
<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/140/834/original/image_88461963631592490839479.png?1592490838" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="140834"></figure>
Source: Company Disclosures</div>
<p>Nissin and Toyo Suisan are currently trading at the higher end of their respective valuation ranges, Therefore, we are reluctant to recommend a long position in either company, however, a short position in Toyo Suisan could be considered given the prospect of continued margin deterioration in the domestic instant noodles segment over the next few years.</p>


Nissin Foods (2897 JP) and Toyo Suisan (2875 JP) share 40% and 20%, respectively, of Japan’s ¥607 billion instant noodle market which has seen compound average volume growth of 0.7% over the last ten years. Cup-type instant noodles has grown 1.5% by volume, while the bagged instant noodles have declined by 1.1%.


Source: Company Disclosures
Globally, Japan has the sixth-highest per capita instant noodles consumption at 3.7 servings a month - behind South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Nepal. Demographics and increasing health awareness are likely to constrain future volume growth and pricing is becoming an increasingly important factor. Nissin, and to a lesser extent, and Toyo Suisan, have increased average unit prices by introducing new products and flavours. Additionally, the average price of cup-type noodles is 61% higher than bagged instant noodles.


Source: Company Disclosures
Nissin and Toyo Suisan are currently trading at the higher end of their respective valuation ranges, Therefore, we are reluctant to recommend a long position in either company, however, a short position in Toyo Suisan could be considered given the prospect of continued margin deterioration in the domestic instant noodles segment over the next few years.

Evolving Competition in Japan's Instant Noodles Market: Toyo Suisan Vs Nissin Foods

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/748/original/2020-05-16_08-18-15.png?1589584720" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133748"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>"WORSENING"</strong> - The Cabinet Office updated their Business Condition Leading Indicator for March this week, confirming the trend already apparent from our Results &amp; Revision Score data series. The correlation between the series is 0.80, with the only significant deviation occurring in 2016, Coincident conditions are assessed as "worsening" wording that is unchanged since August 2019. </p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/788/original/2020-05-16_12-10-50.png?1589598664" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133788"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>DECOMPOSED</strong> - Our Score is decomposed into a Results Score, an Annual Forecast/Revision Score and an Interim Forecast Revision Score.  The last two are ten-year lows; the first should join them next week. A notable limiting factor is the shortage of forecasts being made. Without this reticence, both forecast Scores would be considerably lower.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/795/original/2020-05-16_12-47-02.png?1589600841" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133795"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>RETICENCE</strong> - 77% by number and 81% by value of companies with year-ends in  March, June, September, or December have already reported. Of these 2,464 companies representing ¥438 trillion of market cap, just 1,119 have issued annual forecasts for the current year, and 583 have made interim forecasts. Of all listed companies, one-third by market value are currently unable to see ahead twelve months and only 16% by value and 23% by number are prepared to look forward four-and-a-half months. This unusual degree of reticence leaves the sell-side without their regular anchoring comfort blanket.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/802/original/2020-05-16_13-27-57.png?1589605282" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133802"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>NOT CHEAP</strong> -  Even allowing for the lack of a full complement of forecasts, the market's forward multiple is at a five-year high with Net Income expected to reach levels first seen in 2015, 37% below the December 2018 peak. The ten-year peak trailing multiple was 29 on aggregate Net Income of  ¥14.6 trillion, which was ten times the 2009 trough.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/801/original/2020-05-16_14-00-16.png?1589605245" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133801"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p><strong>FIDDLING ABOUT</strong> - The Bank of Japan has reduced the amount of its daily ETF program for a second time; however, intervened for the last three days of last week seemingly intent on keeping the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a> above 20,000. The cumulative total of BoJ purchases represents over 5% of the Total Market Value.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/133/884/original/2020-05-17_12-54-22.png?1589687679" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="133884"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> below, we review some market data trends, look at the Results &amp; Revision Score trends by Sector (a 15-year timeline is shown above), apply some KPMG 'recovery analysis' to Japan and look at Friday's results and revisions.</p><div><ul>
<li>The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the <strong>490</strong> results announcements was <strong>206:45:239</strong>. The average change in Results Score was <strong>-0.2</strong>.</li>
<li>For the <strong>205</strong> revisions/initial forecasts, the split was <strong>49:10:146</strong>, and the average Revision Score was <strong>-7.5</strong>. Of the <strong>364</strong> companies declaring full-year results, <strong>47%</strong> made forecasts for the current year.</li>
<li>Fifty-one will announce today, the largest of which by market capitalisation will be <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://www.smartkarma.com/entities/terumo-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6708:1" rel="noopener">Terumo Corp (4543 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/komatsu-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8416:1" rel="noopener">Komatsu (6301 JP).</a>
</li>
</ul></div>

Source • Japan Analytics"WORSENING" - The Cabinet Office updated their Business Condition Leading Indicator for March this week, confirming the trend already apparent from our Results &amp; Revision Score data series. The correlation between the series is 0.80, with the only significant deviation occurring in 2016, Coincident conditions are assessed as "worsening" wording that is unchanged since August 2019. Source • Japan AnalyticsDECOMPOSED - Our Score is decomposed into a Results Score, an Annual Forecast/Revision Score and an Interim Forecast Revision Score.  The last two are ten-year lows; the first should join them next week. A notable limiting factor is the shortage of forecasts being made. Without this reticence, both forecast Scores would be considerably lower.Source • Japan AnalyticsRETICENCE - 77% by number and 81% by value of companies with year-ends in  March, June, September, or December have already reported. Of these 2,464 companies representing ¥438 trillion of market cap, just 1,119 have issued annual forecasts for the current year, and 583 have made interim forecasts. Of all listed companies, one-third by market value are currently unable to see ahead twelve months and only 16% by value and 23% by number are prepared to look forward four-and-a-half months. This unusual degree of reticence leaves the sell-side without their regular anchoring comfort blanket.Source • Japan AnalyticsNOT CHEAP -  Even allowing for the lack of a full complement of forecasts, the market's forward multiple is at a five-year high with Net Income expected to reach levels first seen in 2015, 37% below the December 2018 peak. The ten-year peak trailing multiple was 29 on aggregate Net Income of  ¥14.6 trillion, which was ten times the 2009 trough.Source • Japan AnalyticsFIDDLING ABOUT - The Bank of Japan has reduced the amount of its daily ETF program for a second time; however, intervened for the last three days of last week seemingly intent on keeping the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) above 20,000. The cumulative total of BoJ purchases represents over 5% of the Total Market Value.Source • Japan AnalyticsIn the DETAIL below, we review some market data trends, look at the Results &amp; Revision Score trends by Sector (a 15-year timeline is shown above), apply some KPMG 'recovery analysis' to Japan and look at Friday's results and revisions.
The balance between positive/neutral/negative of the 490 results announcements was 206:45:239. The average change in Results Score was -0.2.
For the 205 revisions/initial forecasts, the split was 49:10:146, and the average Revision Score was -7.5. Of the 364 companies declaring full-year results, 47% made forecasts for the current year.
Fifty-one will announce today, the largest of which by market capitalisation will be Softbank Group (9984 JP), Terumo Corp (4543 JP), and Komatsu (6301 JP).



🇯🇵 JAPAN MARKET UPDATE 18th May - "Worsening"

Fintech, Real-time Big-Data Analytics Provider, Nowcast, Inc.

Ryota Hayashi

Fintech, Real-time Big-Data Analytics Provider

Nowcast, Inc.

We at Nowcast develop "Big-Data Economic Analytics Platforms".  We aim to revolutionize the financial markets by providing "accurate" and "real-time" analytics based on economic indicators and corporate activity data procured worldwide. 

Our Main Services

(1) Real-time Analytics
With our Nikkei CPI Now Index at our core, we provide real time analytics of global economic indicators such as POS Data. By utilizing Big-Data technology, we also provide real-time analytics of micro level data such as corporate earnings. 

(2) Big-Data Application Consulting
We too provide business consultation and conduct joint research on initiatives that strive to use data, such as from the operation capacity of construction machinery to number of passengers on railroad trains, as economic indicators. We provide continuous support to Data Scientists specialized in economics in their proposal stage, product development and up till its business development. 

(3) Monetary Policy Insights
With the proactive involvement of and support from from academicians in macroeconomics & key figures in the financial industry, we produce reports, conduct seminars and meetings that discuss about the forecast of financial markets, provide intellectual suggestions on asset allocation, etc. 

Macroeconomics

<ul class="ember-tether-target ember-tether-element-attached-top ember-tether-element-attached-left ember-tether-target-attached-top ember-tether-target-attached-right"><li><strong>"Nikkei CPINow" </strong>is a statistical database produced by Nowcast Inc. that provides real-time economic statistics using so-called “big data” gathered on a real-time basis; making it possible to “nowcast” economic developments, that is, to gauge them almost in real time.</li><li>Nikkei CPINow was launched in January 2016, disseminating the new “CPINow” price indeces, which succeeds and improves upon the Nikkei UTokyo Daily Price Index.</li><li>This December 2016 Review looks into analyzing the current developments in Japan's economy based on The Nikkei CPINow<strong> S index </strong>&amp;<strong> T index.</strong></li></ul>

"Nikkei CPINow" is a statistical database produced by Nowcast Inc. that provides real-time economic statistics using so-called “big data” gathered on a real-time basis; making it possible to “nowcast” economic developments, that is, to gauge them almost in real time.Nikkei CPINow was launched in January 2016, disseminating the new “CPINow” price indeces, which succeeds and improves upon the Nikkei UTokyo Daily Price Index.This December 2016 Review looks into analyzing the current developments in Japan's economy based on The Nikkei CPINow S index &amp; T index.

December 2016 Review of Current Developments in Japan's Economy

Japan TMT Analyst

Pelham Smithers

Market Intel on Asian Tech with a Japan focus

Pelham Smithers Associates

Founded in 2009, Pelham Smithers Associates (PSA) provides market intelligence on Asian technology, focusing in particular on Japan. The industries covered by our team of specialists are: consumer electronics, telecomms, pharmaceuticals, internet, electronic parts and materials, automotive technology, retail and capital goods. 

Research is provided by the following:
Pelham Smithers: Macro, consumer electronics, telecoms & pharma
Joel Scheiman: Electronics materials / components
Julie Boote: Autos
Will Nestuk: Capital goods, machinery & transportation equipment parts
Thao Nguyen: eCommerce, internet content, marketing & advertising

<p>While it is not a given that a switch from a high growth, high interest rate environment to a low growth, low interest rate environment is a good one for equities in general, it should be good for defensive stocks, because these are the most bond-like of equities and the switch almost defines a fixed income bull market. Japan may not have been particularly high growth or high interest rate in 2000, but it was certainly higher growth and higher interest rate than today, and it is no surprise that defensive sectors like foods (+210% relative to Topix since 1999) and pharmaceuticals (+160%) have done very well over this time.<br><br>The question, now, is whether this is set to continue, or whether we might have hit a turning point.</p>

While it is not a given that a switch from a high growth, high interest rate environment to a low growth, low interest rate environment is a good one for equities in general, it should be good for defensive stocks, because these are the most bond-like of equities and the switch almost defines a fixed income bull market. Japan may not have been particularly high growth or high interest rate in 2000, but it was certainly higher growth and higher interest rate than today, and it is no surprise that defensive sectors like foods (+210% relative to Topix since 1999) and pharmaceuticals (+160%) have done very well over this time.  The question, now, is whether this is set to continue, or whether we might have hit a turning point.

Japan

YAMAZAKI BAKING CO., LTD. produces baking foods including bread, pastry, and cake.  The Company operates nationwide sales network.  YAMAZAKI BAKING also operates franchised cafeterias and convenience stores.

NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS CO.,LTD. produces instant noodle and processed food products.  The Company also develops pharmaceuticals.  NISSIN FOODS operates production facilities in overseas countries including Hong Kong, India, U.S., Singapore, and other countries.

MEIJI Holdings Co., Ltd. is the holding company established by reorganization of Meiji Seika Pharma & Meiji Corp.  The company manages subsidiaries engaging in production & sales of confectionary, milk, dairy products, and pharmaceuticals.

YAKULT HONSHA CO., LTD produces and sells fermented milk products, soft drinks and food products.  The Company also manufactures pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.  Through its subsidiary, the professional baseball team, Tokyo Yakult Swallows is owned and managed.

Nisshin Seifun Group Inc. produces and sells flour, fodder, processed foods, and medicines. The Company offers specialized pasta sauce, frozen foods, and gourmet soup. Nisshin Seifun Group also markets pet foods.

NICHIREI CORPORATION produces and distributes frozen food, ice, and meat products.  The Company also provides a variety of cold storage services, as well as manages leasing business for buildings and parking garages.

Kewpie Corporation mainly produces and sells mayonnaise, salad dressing, egg products, and health foods.  The Company also purchases and sells jam, sauce, canned and frozen foods.  Kewpie sells canned foods under Aohata brand.

NH Foods Ltd. produces and sells ham, sausage, and processed meat products. The Company also breeds and raises cattle through its subsidiary. NH Foods owns a professional baseball team, the Nippon Ham Fighters.

CALBEE, Inc. manufactures a wide range of snack foods using potato, wheat, and corn as a main ingredient. The company also manufactures bakery products and cereals.

Kotobuki Spirits Co., Ltd. produces confections.  The Company's confections include cookies, rice cakes, steamed cakes, jellies, sweet bean jellies, chocolates, and other sweets.

China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes quality dairy products in China. The principal products are liquid milk products, ice cream, and other dairy products, such as milk powder. The Company markets its products under its primary MENGNIU core brand.

Want Want China Holdings Limited manufactures and trades rice crackers, snack food, beverages, and packing materials.  The Company also manufactures wheat, flour, and raw materials for the manufacture of snack foods.  Most of the company's production facilities are located in China and Taiwan.

PPB Group Berhad is an investment holding company. The Company operations include grains trading, flour and animal feed milling industry as well as downstream activities including livestock farming, food processing and consumer products distribution with primary focus in Indonesia, Malaysia, China, India and Europe.

Dali Foods Group Company Ltd. is a snack food and beverage company. The Company is actively expanding its products offering and distributes its products through retailers.

IOI Corporation Berhad cultivates and processes oil palm and rubber.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in property development and investment, provides landscape services, and sells ornamental plants and turfing grass. IOI Corporation also manufactures industrial and medical gases, and provides building, engineering, and construction services.

Flowers Foods, Inc. produces and markets packaged bakery foods for retail and foodservice customers. The Company offers fresh packaged and frozen bakery products, as well as pastries, doughnuts, and bakery snack products. Flowers Foods serves customers in the State of Georgia.

Universal Robina Corporation manufactures, markets, and distributes branded consumer foods. The Company's products include hogs and poultry farming, animal feeds, corn products, and animal health products.

Ingredion Incorporated refines corn and produces sweeteners and starches.  The Company has customers in a wide range of industries, including the food, soft drink, brewing, pharmaceutical, corrugating, paper, and textile industries.  Ingredion has Company-owned operations, joint ventures, alliances, and technical licenses in countries around the world.

Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad is an investment holding company.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, markets and sells powdered milk and drinks, liquid milk and juices, instant coffee, and instant noodles. Nestle also manufactures and provides packaging for culinary and chocolate-based food products and trades flavoring ingredients.

PT Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk manufactures and distributes animal feeds, woven plastic bags, and poultry equipment as well as processes chicken.  Through its subsidiaries, the Company also operates poultry farms and distributes its products.

TOYO SUISAN KAISHA, LTD. purchases, processes, and sells seafood.  The Company also manufactures instant noodles, processed foods, fish paste, and frozen food products under Maru-chan brand.

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Toyo Suisan Kaisha (2875 JP)

Fuji Oil In Itochu's Industry Consolidation Plans?

Last week, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the US private equity firm Carlyle Group intends to invest over ¥1.0 trillion in Japan over the...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Evolving Competition in Japan's Instant Noodles Market: Toyo Suisan Vs Nissin Foods

Nissin Foods (2897 JP) and Toyo Suisan (2875 JP) share 40% and 20%, respectively, of Japan’s ¥607 billion instant noodle market which has seen...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

🇯🇵 JAPAN MARKET UPDATE 18th May - "Worsening"

"WORSENING" - The Cabinet Office updated their Business Condition Leading Indicator for March this week, confirming the trend already apparent from...

Campbell Gunn

December 2016 Review of Current Developments in Japan's Economy

"Nikkei CPINow" is a statistical database produced by Nowcast Inc. that provides real-time economic statistics using so-called “big data”...

Nowcast, Inc.

Death Rattle for Defensives?

While it is not a given that a switch from a high growth, high interest rate environment to a low growth, low interest rate environment is a good...

Pelham Smithers Associates

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