Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>With people staying at home, deliveries for e-commerce orders have a better chance of succeeding, helping failed delivery rates fall from 25% to just 11% in only five years. No wonder e-commerce and transport companies are posting higher profits.</p>

With people staying at home, deliveries for e-commerce orders have a better chance of succeeding, helping failed delivery rates fall from 25% to just 11% in only five years. No wonder e-commerce and transport companies are posting higher profits.

E-Commerce Efficiency Marches on in Japan

'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.

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• MARKET UPDATE •</strong></p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/821/original/2021-01-28_05-31-21.png?1612123987" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185821"></figure></section><p><strong>PEAKY</strong> - Thursday's Vale Traded ratio was the highest year-to-date and the third-highest since the COVID-low of 13th March 2020. Down Volume reached 'Panic' levels and was the third-highest in six years. On the previous two 'Panic' days in 2020, this proved to be a buying opportunity. We are less sure this will be this case in 2021.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/822/original/2021-02-01_05-17-55.png?1612124290" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185822"></figure></section><p><strong>BOJ 'TAPERS'</strong> - The Bank of Japan, naturally intervened by purchasing ETFs but did not, however, raise its recently-reduced buying amount. The central bank also failed to intervene again on Friday, despite the sharp fall in the major indices. As a percentage of Value Traded, Thursday's intervention was the smallest in six years. With long-bond yields rising to a two-year high of 0.5%, perhaps their attention has been diverted elsewhere?</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/824/original/2021-01-30_14-31-02.png?1612124614" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185824"></figure></section><p><strong>50-DAY MOVING AVERAGE CROSSOVER?</strong> - As a result of Friday's decline, Total Market Value is poised to crossover the 59-Day Moving Average for the first time since 12th October - a further test of this bull market's resolve. As noted last week, 50/200-day moving average 'gaps' of over 60 are rare and normally occur at significant market tops.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/827/original/2021-01-30_14-45-46.png?1612124854" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185827"></figure></section><p><strong>RESULTS SEASON BEGINS</strong> - Since 15th January, 644 companies have reposted quarterly results. Although, as will be covered in the DETAIL section below, earnings momentum is improving. The aggregate net income forecast is above trailing net income, trailing aggregate operating, and net profit are both still declining.  Trailing and forward earnings multiples are still over 30 times, despite the 3.5% decline from the TOPIX peak on 14th January.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/831/original/2021-01-31_17-16-42.png?1612125298" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185831"></figure><hr></section><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• RESULTS SUMMARY - 29th JANUARY •</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">Of Fridays' 399 results announcements, 71% scored positively for earnings momentum despite trailing revenues falling by 5.3% on average and a 1.7 point decline in operating margins - we are now well past the cycle low point for earnings. Only 11% of companies were in the red for the quarter.  The percentages for forecasts are less optimistic. Only 59% of forecasts and revisions scored positively, although the average score was +2.4 points.  Many large consumer-orientated businesses have yet to see a resumption of pre-COVID levels of activity.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST •</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">Our<strong> Best</strong> and <strong>Worst</strong> selection from Friday's announcements is the Diversified Freight Services Peer Group (which includes <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamato-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2:1" rel="noopener">Yamato Holdings (9064 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-express-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18582:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Express (9062 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sg-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26070:1" rel="noopener">SG (9143 JP)</a>) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daiichi-sankyo-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3014:1" rel="noopener">Daiichi Sankyo (4568 JP)</a>. </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/843/original/2021-02-01_06-46-24.png?1612129615" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185843"></figure></section><section class="figure"><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/846/original/2021-02-01_06-49-21.png?1612129775" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185846"></figure></section><p></p></section>

• MARKET UPDATE •PEAKY - Thursday's Vale Traded ratio was the highest year-to-date and the third-highest since the COVID-low of 13th March 2020. Down Volume reached 'Panic' levels and was the third-highest in six years. On the previous two 'Panic' days in 2020, this proved to be a buying opportunity. We are less sure this will be this case in 2021.BOJ 'TAPERS' - The Bank of Japan, naturally intervened by purchasing ETFs but did not, however, raise its recently-reduced buying amount. The central bank also failed to intervene again on Friday, despite the sharp fall in the major indices. As a percentage of Value Traded, Thursday's intervention was the smallest in six years. With long-bond yields rising to a two-year high of 0.5%, perhaps their attention has been diverted elsewhere?50-DAY MOVING AVERAGE CROSSOVER? - As a result of Friday's decline, Total Market Value is poised to crossover the 59-Day Moving Average for the first time since 12th October - a further test of this bull market's resolve. As noted last week, 50/200-day moving average 'gaps' of over 60 are rare and normally occur at significant market tops.RESULTS SEASON BEGINS - Since 15th January, 644 companies have reposted quarterly results. Although, as will be covered in the DETAIL section below, earnings momentum is improving. The aggregate net income forecast is above trailing net income, trailing aggregate operating, and net profit are both still declining.  Trailing and forward earnings multiples are still over 30 times, despite the 3.5% decline from the TOPIX peak on 14th January.• RESULTS SUMMARY - 29th JANUARY •Of Fridays' 399 results announcements, 71% scored positively for earnings momentum despite trailing revenues falling by 5.3% on average and a 1.7 point decline in operating margins - we are now well past the cycle low point for earnings. Only 11% of companies were in the red for the quarter.  The percentages for forecasts are less optimistic. Only 59% of forecasts and revisions scored positively, although the average score was +2.4 points.  Many large consumer-orientated businesses have yet to see a resumption of pre-COVID levels of activity.• BEST &amp; WORST •Our Best and Worst selection from Friday's announcements is the Diversified Freight Services Peer Group (which includes Yamato Holdings (9064 JP), Nippon Express (9062 JP), and SG (9143 JP)) and Daiichi Sankyo (4568 JP). 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market + Results & Revisions Update 01/29

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

Kerry Express Thailand / Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kerry-express-thailand" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29253:1" rel="noopener">Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB)</a> is the leading express delivery company in Thailand. It is backed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kerry-logistics-network-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:367:1" rel="noopener">Kerry Logistics Network (636 HK)</a> (63.0% shareholder) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vgi-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12409:1" rel="noopener">VGI PCL (VGI TB)</a> (23.0% shareholder).</p></div><div><p>Kerry Express has launched its IPO at a price range of THB25.00-28.00 per share to raise as much as THB8.4 billion ($278 million). Subscription will take place between 8-9 and 14 December for retail investors, and 16-18 December for institutional investors. The final price is expected to be announced on 15 December. </p></div><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kerry-express-ipo-initiation-a-recovery-play" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:45446" rel="noopener">Kerry Express IPO Initiation: A Recovery Play?</a>, we stated that while the 3Q20 results are not ideal, we think that revenue decline is a short-term market-specific issue, and Kerry Express remains well-placed to ride an eventual recovery in Thai consumer confidence. Overall, we think that a reasonable P/E valuation, a market-leading business and solid cornerstone support makes Kerry Express tempting at the proposed pricing range. </p></div></div></div>

Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB) is the leading express delivery company in Thailand. It is backed by Kerry Logistics Network (636 HK) (63.0% shareholder) and VGI PCL (VGI TB) (23.0% shareholder).Kerry Express has launched its IPO at a price range of THB25.00-28.00 per share to raise as much as THB8.4 billion ($278 million). Subscription will take place between 8-9 and 14 December for retail investors, and 16-18 December for institutional investors. The final price is expected to be announced on 15 December. In Kerry Express IPO Initiation: A Recovery Play?, we stated that while the 3Q20 results are not ideal, we think that revenue decline is a short-term market-specific issue, and Kerry Express remains well-placed to ride an eventual recovery in Thai consumer confidence. Overall, we think that a reasonable P/E valuation, a market-leading business and solid cornerstone support makes Kerry Express tempting at the proposed pricing range. 

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/162/891/original/2020-10-01_13-26-50.png?1601526452" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="162891"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables unless otherwise stated: Japan Analytics</div>
<p><strong>SHORT TENURE</strong> - Since 1979 the average prime ministerial tenure in Japan has been 750 days. Excluding the three longest-serving Prime Ministers of the last forty years - Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2 - the average is 494 days. The equity market has favoured long-serving Liberal Democratic Party government (marked in light green above) and disliked periods of coalition or opposition (<span title="Japanese language text">野党</span> y<em>atō)</em> government and also tenures of less than eighteen months.</p>
<p><strong>PM SUGA</strong> - Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide succeeded former Prime Minister Abe on 16th September the latter having stepped down for health reasons. Suga had served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (<span title="Japanese language text">内閣官房長官</span>,<em> Naikaku-kanbō-chōkan</em>) for all of Abe's premiership. The continuity offered by Suga's elevation provides Japan with the prospect of an extended period of political stability. From his policy statements made during the brief prime-ministerial election campaign, Suga has bold aims for challenging Japan's economic and social ills. Given his previous role and mastery of the balance between political necessities and bureaucratic realities, the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy and stock market.</p>
<hr>
<p style="text-align: center;">In the <strong>DETAIL</strong> below, we shall cover the following topics:-</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>I: SUGA's BACKGROUND &amp; POLITICAL CAREER</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>II: POLICY PRIORITIES</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Defence &amp; Foreign Policy</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Economic Policy</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Administrative Reform</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Digital Agency</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Telecommunications Services</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Birth-rate and Fertility Treatment</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Regional Revitalisation &amp; Regional Bank Reform</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">SME restructuring</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Carbon Neutrality &amp; A Nuclear Renaissance</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>III: SUGA STOCKS RECOMMENDATIONS</strong></p>
<hr>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>WHAT'S ORIGINAL? - </strong>This Insight reviews the implications of PM Suga's policy platform for specific sectors and stocks in the Japanse equity market and concludes with five long and five short recommendations for large-cap growth and value-orientated portfolios.  </p>
<hr>
<blockquote class="">
<p><strong>"Self-help, mutual help, public help, and "kizuna" (bonds) is our vision for society. With that in mind, we firmly believe, overcoming various issues, such as regional revitalization and the shrinking population, as well as the declining birth-rate and aging society, will create dynamism in Japan. To this end, we will meet the people's expectations by giving birth to a "Cabinet that works for the People," which gives its all to advance regulatory reforms without being constrained by the vested interests of the stakeholders, tearing down bureaucratic sectionalism and the notorious habit of following past precedents.</strong></p>
<h3>Statement of the Prime Minister</h3>
<p><strong>September 16th, 2020</strong></p>
</blockquote>


Source for all charts &amp; tables unless otherwise stated: Japan Analytics
SHORT TENURE - Since 1979 the average prime ministerial tenure in Japan has been 750 days. Excluding the three longest-serving Prime Ministers of the last forty years - Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2 - the average is 494 days. The equity market has favoured long-serving Liberal Democratic Party government (marked in light green above) and disliked periods of coalition or opposition (野党 yatō) government and also tenures of less than eighteen months.
PM SUGA - Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide succeeded former Prime Minister Abe on 16th September the latter having stepped down for health reasons. Suga had served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (内閣官房長官, Naikaku-kanbō-chōkan) for all of Abe's premiership. The continuity offered by Suga's elevation provides Japan with the prospect of an extended period of political stability. From his policy statements made during the brief prime-ministerial election campaign, Suga has bold aims for challenging Japan's economic and social ills. Given his previous role and mastery of the balance between political necessities and bureaucratic realities, the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy and stock market.

In the DETAIL below, we shall cover the following topics:-
I: SUGA's BACKGROUND &amp; POLITICAL CAREER
II: POLICY PRIORITIES
Defence &amp; Foreign Policy
Economic Policy
Administrative Reform
The Digital Agency
Telecommunications Services
Birth-rate and Fertility Treatment
Regional Revitalisation &amp; Regional Bank Reform
SME restructuring
Carbon Neutrality &amp; A Nuclear Renaissance
III: SUGA STOCKS RECOMMENDATIONS

WHAT'S ORIGINAL? - This Insight reviews the implications of PM Suga's policy platform for specific sectors and stocks in the Japanse equity market and concludes with five long and five short recommendations for large-cap growth and value-orientated portfolios.  


"Self-help, mutual help, public help, and "kizuna" (bonds) is our vision for society. With that in mind, we firmly believe, overcoming various issues, such as regional revitalization and the shrinking population, as well as the declining birth-rate and aging society, will create dynamism in Japan. To this end, we will meet the people's expectations by giving birth to a "Cabinet that works for the People," which gives its all to advance regulatory reforms without being constrained by the vested interests of the stakeholders, tearing down bureaucratic sectionalism and the notorious habit of following past precedents.
Statement of the Prime Minister
September 16th, 2020


🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

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

<p>While a more cautious outlook is appropriate, as long as $77 holds (the September lows) we are constructive and would be buyers on a pullback. A move below $77 would start to get very concerning, and would leave $75 and the 200-day MA as last-ditch support. Considering the recent pullback we want to be sticking with areas that have continued to outperform in spite of recent broad market weakness. For that we look to the following leadership Sectors: <strong>Technology, Consumer Discretionary, Manufacturing, Materials, and Transportation</strong></p>

While a more cautious outlook is appropriate, as long as $77 holds (the September lows) we are constructive and would be buyers on a pullback. A move below $77 would start to get very concerning, and would leave $75 and the 200-day MA as last-ditch support. Considering the recent pullback we want to be sticking with areas that have continued to outperform in spite of recent broad market weakness. For that we look to the following leadership Sectors: Technology, Consumer Discretionary, Manufacturing, Materials, and Transportation

Japan

Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. mainly provides door-to-door parcel delivery services. The Company has developed a nationwide delivery system specializing in time-specified delivery. Yamato Holdings offers moving services and other comprehensive transportation services including logistics services for both domestic and overseas customers as well as financial and autoworks services.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
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Yamato Holdings (9064 JP)

E-Commerce Efficiency Marches on in Japan

Japanese e-commerce fulfilment efficiency is improving month to month, with delivery failure rates plummeting in the last year. The government and...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Market + Results & Revisions Update 01/29

Thursday's Vale Traded ratio was the highest year-to-date and the third-highest since the COVID-low of 13th March 2020. Down Volume reached 'Panic'...

Campbell Gunn

Kerry Express IPO: Valuation Insights

Kerry Express has launched its IPO at a price range of THB25.00-28.00 per share to raise as much as THB8.4 billion ($278 million). Overall, we...

Arun George

🇯🇵 Japan in the Suga Era - Policy Priorities & 'Suga Stocks'

We believe the Suga era could be as impactful as those of Nakasone, Koizumi and Abe 2. We view such an outcome as bullish for the Japanese economy...

Campbell Gunn

Cautiously Optimistic on Global Equities

We are constructive on global equities and would be buyers on a pullback. A move below $77 would start to get very concerning, and would leave $75...

Vermilion Research

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