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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Group (4755 JP)</a>, having experienced an 80% decline in value over the last 8 years, now emerges as an enticing prospect for value investors.</li>
<li>The combined fair value of Rakuten's Cards, Bank, and Mobile businesses now surpasses 100% of the company's market capitalization.</li>
<li>Rakuten Ichiba, valued at ¥600bn, appears significantly undervalued when compared to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zozo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18379:1" rel="noopener">ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monotaro-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15441:1" rel="noopener">MonotaRO Co Ltd (3064 JP)</a>, which hold approximately 2.0x Rakuten Ichiba’s valuation.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Group (4755 JP), having experienced an 80% decline in value over the last 8 years, now emerges as an enticing prospect for value investors.
The combined fair value of Rakuten's Cards, Bank, and Mobile businesses now surpasses 100% of the company's market capitalization.
Rakuten Ichiba, valued at ¥600bn, appears significantly undervalued when compared to ZOZO Inc (3092 JP) and MonotaRO Co Ltd (3064 JP), which hold approximately 2.0x Rakuten Ichiba’s valuation.


Rakuten: An Attractive Value Opportunity After 80% Value Decline in 8 Years

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>There were a couple of ad hoc rebalances in Korea last week for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 (KOSPI2 INDEX EQUITY)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kosdaq-150-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31077:1" rel="noopener">KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX EQUITY)</a>. </li>
<li>Coming Friday will mark the end of the review period for the next rebalance of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">HSI</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">HSCEI</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-tech-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31367:1" rel="noopener">HSTECH</a>, HSCI, LQ45, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/philippines-stock-exchange-psei-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22912:1" rel="noopener">PCOMP</a> as well as the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/stock-exchange-of-thailand-set-50-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31493:1" rel="noopener">SET50</a> June implementation.</li>
<li>With Japan indices moving higher, the largest inflows went into ETFs tracking 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> and other local/global indices.</li>
</ul>


There were a couple of ad hoc rebalances in Korea last week for the Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 (KOSPI2 INDEX EQUITY) and KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX EQUITY). 
Coming Friday will mark the end of the review period for the next rebalance of the HSI, HSCEI, HSTECH, HSCI, LQ45, PCOMP as well as the SET50 June implementation.
With Japan indices moving higher, the largest inflows went into ETFs tracking the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) and other local/global indices.


Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: NKY, KOSPI2, New Deal, SET50, MOG Digitech, Syngenta IPO

<ul>
<li>The review period for 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> September rebalance ends end July. We take another stab at identifying potential inclusions and exclusions.</li>
<li>There will be a big impact on the potential index changes. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>'s index weight could be capped and there will be a big funding trade. </li>
<li>There are many things to watch out for that could affect the impact on the inclusions, including stock splits among potential adds and stepwise inclusion of stocks in the index.</li>
</ul>


The review period for the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) September rebalance ends end July. We take another stab at identifying potential inclusions and exclusions.
There will be a big impact on the potential index changes. Fast Retailing (9983 JP)'s index weight could be capped and there will be a big funding trade. 
There are many things to watch out for that could affect the impact on the inclusions, including stock splits among potential adds and stepwise inclusion of stocks in the index.


Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2023): Ranking, Capping, Funding & Other Changes

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>The Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 review has 2 months left of data collection. That means the rankings are quasi-fixed. So then the question is what to do with them.</li>
<li>There is a <a href="https://indexes.nikkei.co.jp/en/nkave/governance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">consultation</a> in progress. You still have one week to respond, but that doesn't change the names. </li>
<li>The top inclusion is the big one in dollar terms but low in liquidity. The next two are likely to be consumer names, and much more impactful. </li>
</ul>


The Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 review has 2 months left of data collection. That means the rankings are quasi-fixed. So then the question is what to do with them.
There is a consultation in progress. You still have one week to respond, but that doesn't change the names. 
The top inclusion is the big one in dollar terms but low in liquidity. The next two are likely to be consumer names, and much more impactful. 


Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Review - Still Fastie, Nitori, Zozo, and Lasertec as Interesting Names

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. 

<ul>
<li>Zozo managed a 7% gain in GTVs last year which meant it grew its share of the fashion market. </li>
<li>It now has more than 10 million active users and has laid down plans to reach ¥800 billion in GTVs in the medium term.</li>
<li>Zozo's momentum is clear and its targets look realistic. Shame about the performance of Z Holdings.</li>
</ul>


Zozo managed a 7% gain in GTVs last year which meant it grew its share of the fashion market. 
It now has more than 10 million active users and has laid down plans to reach ¥800 billion in GTVs in the medium term.
Zozo's momentum is clear and its targets look realistic. Shame about the performance of Z Holdings.


Japan

ZOZO Inc operates internet shopping sites for apparel.  The Company also provides communication services relating to apparel such as blogs by fashion moguls and internet chat room for users.

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ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)

Rakuten: An Attractive Value Opportunity After 80% Value Decline in 8 Years

The combined fair value of Rakuten's Cards, Bank, and Mobile businesses now surpasses 100% of Rakuten's market capitalization.

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: NKY, KOSPI2, New Deal, SET50, MOG Digitech, Syngenta IPO

This recap highlights Insights covering Asian index rebalances (announcements/ forecasts/ IPO Fast Entry/ M&A driven changes). We also highlight...

Brian Freitas

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2023): Ranking, Capping, Funding & Other Changes

There could be 3 changes in Sep + Fast Retailing capping + a possible stepwise inclusion of low liquidity stocks. Mercari is a possible add. There...

Brian Freitas

Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Review - Still Fastie, Nitori, Zozo, and Lasertec as Interesting Names

The Nikkei 225 September 2023 review has two months left in the data set before it is set. It will be tough to change rankings now near the top....

Travis Lundy

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Rakuten: An Attractive Value Opportunity After 80% Value Decline in 8 Years

The combined fair value of Rakuten's Cards, Bank, and Mobile businesses now surpasses 100% of Rakuten's market capitalization.

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: NKY, KOSPI2, New Deal, SET50, MOG Digitech, Syngenta IPO

This recap highlights Insights covering Asian index rebalances (announcements/ forecasts/ IPO Fast Entry/ M&A driven changes). We also highlight...

Brian Freitas

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2023): Ranking, Capping, Funding & Other Changes

There could be 3 changes in Sep + Fast Retailing capping + a possible stepwise inclusion of low liquidity stocks. Mercari is a possible add. There...

Brian Freitas

Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Review - Still Fastie, Nitori, Zozo, and Lasertec as Interesting Names

The Nikkei 225 September 2023 review has two months left in the data set before it is set. It will be tough to change rankings now near the top....

Travis Lundy

Zozo Consolidates Market Share

Zozo is on a roll, with strong sales in new categories and segments and clear plans to increase GTVs by ¥200 billion. There are few barriers to...

Michael Causton