Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>This past week, nearly 150 companies in Japan announced buyback programmes totalling ¥2.1trln. 3 Tenders, 26 ToSTNeT-3 buybacks (including at least 5 delayed starts). </li>
<li>The median on-market buyback was 2.40% of shares, the average 2.9% (both measured as practical maxima at announcement. Median/Average % of ADV was 7.6/9.2%. </li>
<li>My prediction that this will be a record year for stock buybacks still stands.</li>
</ul>


This past week, nearly 150 companies in Japan announced buyback programmes totalling ¥2.1trln. 3 Tenders, 26 ToSTNeT-3 buybacks (including at least 5 delayed starts). 
The median on-market buyback was 2.40% of shares, the average 2.9% (both measured as practical maxima at announcement. Median/Average % of ADV was 7.6/9.2%. 
My prediction that this will be a record year for stock buybacks still stands.


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ushio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6640:1" rel="noopener">Ushio Inc (6925 JP)</a> reported earnings on 11 May, with revenue +17.6% on the year, OP +21.4%, and NP +8.7% on the year. Div was unchanged at ¥50/share.</li>
<li>Forecasts are for revenue +7.4%, OP -21.2%, and NP -27% (¥90.6/EPS). But importantly, the company also announced a HUUUUUGE Buyback. </li>
<li>Buying ≦20mm shares (17.0%) spending ≦¥30bn from 29May2023 to 10May2024. That's 13.3% at the 12 May close. How this will work is unknown. There's less detail than one would want.</li>
</ul>



Ushio Inc (6925 JP) reported earnings on 11 May, with revenue +17.6% on the year, OP +21.4%, and NP +8.7% on the year. Div was unchanged at ¥50/share.
Forecasts are for revenue +7.4%, OP -21.2%, and NP -27% (¥90.6/EPS). But importantly, the company also announced a HUUUUUGE Buyback. 
Buying ≦20mm shares (17.0%) spending ≦¥30bn from 29May2023 to 10May2024. That's 13.3% at the 12 May close. How this will work is unknown. There's less detail than one would want.


Smartkarma Research Team, Smartkarma

Smartkarma Research

Smartkarma Research Team

Smartkarma

Smartkarma unites the fragmented investment industry, connecting institutional investors, independent research providers, and corporates within a single network.

Research Reinvented

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>On our next Webinar, we are thrilled to welcome back Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/scott-foster" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1134" rel="noopener">Scott Foster</a>, who will present his hand-picked ideas in Japan's IT sector. </p>
<div>
<h3>The webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, 27 October 2021, 17:00 SGT/HKT.</h3>
<div class="content-highlight">
<h2><a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1H9pFZOB-RF2J00kbvMmxcw2c5gj?zoom_webinar_id=85198859426" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Register for the Webinar here</a></h2>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p>Scott Foster is a securities analyst who has been covering electronics, precision equipment &amp; robotics, engineering, construction, transport, and other sectors for more than 25 years in Japan and 3 years in Korea.</p>
</div>
</div>

On our next Webinar, we are thrilled to welcome back Insight Provider Scott Foster, who will present his hand-picked ideas in Japan's IT sector. 

The webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, 27 October 2021, 17:00 SGT/HKT.

Register for the Webinar here




Scott Foster is a securities analyst who has been covering electronics, precision equipment &amp; robotics, engineering, construction, transport, and other sectors for more than 25 years in Japan and 3 years in Korea.



Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities

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

<p>Ushio's share price rose 49% from May 19 to July 2, from ¥1,423 to a 52-week high of ¥2,118.  This reflected growing optimism over the resumption of movie theater operations in Europe and America as vaccination proceeded and pandemic-related restrictions were relaxed.</p><p>On June 29, management announced a doubling of FY Mar-22 net profit guidance, in large part due to greater than expected sales of light sources for cinema projectors and projection equipment.</p><p>But the rapid spread of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 has undermined this optimism and the shares have since dropped back to ¥1,997. </p><p><span>Take profits and wait until the impact of the current wave of infections is discounted.</span></p>

Ushio's share price rose 49% from May 19 to July 2, from ¥1,423 to a 52-week high of ¥2,118.  This reflected growing optimism over the resumption of movie theater operations in Europe and America as vaccination proceeded and pandemic-related restrictions were relaxed.On June 29, management announced a doubling of FY Mar-22 net profit guidance, in large part due to greater than expected sales of light sources for cinema projectors and projection equipment.But the rapid spread of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 has undermined this optimism and the shares have since dropped back to ¥1,997. Take profits and wait until the impact of the current wave of infections is discounted.

Ushio (6925 JP): New Guidance Jumped the Gun

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/203/original/2020-11-17_12-24-48.png?1605583510" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172203"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>BRIGHTER, LATER</strong> - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by ¥1.2 trillion. As a result, the market's forward multiple is unchanged at 31 times, despite a 7% rise in market capitalisation. Although this 'season' was the best in two years in terms of forecast profits, trailing earnings are still falling, by almost ¥3 trillion in the case of operating income. Much of the market optimism rests on a Japan experiencing a mild COVID winter and the impact of the incoming Biden administration's policy pronouncements on the US dollar. </p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/219/original/2020-11-17_13-33-54.png?1605587647" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172219"></figure></section><p><strong>5.2% TTM OPERATING MARGINS</strong> - Aggregate Operating Income has declined by a third year-on-year on a 10% decline in revenues. The good news is that the pace of decline is slowing. Nevertheless, all of the Abe-era gains in earnings have now been unwound.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/230/original/2020-11-17_13-47-49.png?1605588488" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172230"></figure><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/394/original/2020-11-18_07-24-55.png?1605651921" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172394"></figure></section><p><strong>4.8% FORECAST OPERATING MARGINS</strong> - Operating margins are forecast to contract further over the next five months to 4.8%. Forecast revenues and operating income are both 3% lower than three months ago, the slowest rate of attrition in three quarters. The current market euphoria, which has taken total capitalisation to within 3% of the pre-COVID high is implying that the next 'print' of this data series, will be positive.    </p></section><section class="figure"></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/256/original/2020-11-17_14-22-29.png?1605590564" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172256"></figure></section><p><strong>POSITIVE MOMENTUM</strong> - The sharp recovery in earnings momentum, which the market has been discounting is now materialising. Our Forecast/Revision Score has returned to March levels while the trailing Results Score has bottomed out well above the low of 2009. </p>
<section class="figure"><section class="figure"></section><div class="content-highlight"><p>In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> 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. </p></div></section></section>

Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics
BRIGHTER, LATER - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by ¥1.2 trillion. As a result, the market's forward multiple is unchanged at 31 times, despite a 7% rise in market capitalisation. Although this 'season' was the best in two years in terms of forecast profits, trailing earnings are still falling, by almost ¥3 trillion in the case of operating income. Much of the market optimism rests on a Japan experiencing a mild COVID winter and the impact of the incoming Biden administration's policy pronouncements on the US dollar. 
5.2% TTM OPERATING MARGINS - Aggregate Operating Income has declined by a third year-on-year on a 10% decline in revenues. The good news is that the pace of decline is slowing. Nevertheless, all of the Abe-era gains in earnings have now been unwound.
4.8% FORECAST OPERATING MARGINS - Operating margins are forecast to contract further over the next five months to 4.8%. Forecast revenues and operating income are both 3% lower than three months ago, the slowest rate of attrition in three quarters. The current market euphoria, which has taken total capitalisation to within 3% of the pre-COVID high is implying that the next 'print' of this data series, will be positive.    POSITIVE MOMENTUM - The sharp recovery in earnings momentum, which the market has been discounting is now materialising. Our Forecast/Revision Score has returned to March levels while the trailing Results Score has bottomed out well above the low of 2009. 
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. 

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

Japan

USHIO INC. manufactures lamps and optical equipment including projectors for movie theaters.  The Company produces halogen and Houdentou lamps for semiconductor and office automation equipment.  Ushio has subsidiaries in the US, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

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Ushio Inc (6925 JP)

JAPAN BUYBACKS: A Very Big Week

Almost ¥2.2trln of buybacks were announced this past week. Several large ones but 120+ different companies in total. This is the push higher for a...

Travis Lundy

HUUUGE Ushio (6925) Buyback

Ushio (6925 JP) has announced an enormous buyback program. The stock has popped as a result. It may drift bank. How the buyback works is unknown....

Travis Lundy

Smartkarma Webinar | Japan IT Picks

Join us for a session with Insight Provider Scott Foster, who will present his hand-picked ideas in Japan's IT sector.

Smartkarma Research

Ushio (6925 JP): New Guidance Jumped the Gun

Shares up 49% on the reopening of cinemas as vaccination increased and infections declined. Net profit guidance doubled. But the rapid spread of...

Scott Foster

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

BRIGHTER, LATER - Forecast Aggregate Net Income for the universe of Japanese listed companies ended the quarter, higher than three months ago by...

Campbell Gunn

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