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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

In May, the Nikkei released a market consultation on proposed changes to 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> covering capping the weight of new constituents in the index at 1% by using a Price Adjustment Factor, limiting the number of index changes at a periodic review to 3, and changing the index universe from stocks listed on TSE's 1st section to stocks that are listed on the Prime Market (post the reorganisation). Most of the proposed changes were subsequently approved.This is the first <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a> rebalance after the market consultation that tweaked things around. The tweaks could ensure the inclusion of stocks that were historically not included in the index due to their high stock price, though the impact will be much smaller since their weight in the index will not exceed 1%.At the upcoming rebalance, we see a high probability of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nintendo-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5415:1" rel="noopener">Nintendo Co Ltd (7974 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zozo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18379:1" rel="noopener">ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)</a> being included in the index while there is a lower probability of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oriental-land-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13517:1" rel="noopener">Oriental Land (4661 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orix-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9936:1" rel="noopener">Orix Corp (8591 JP)</a> being included.Potential deletion candidates are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toho-zinc-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2796:1" rel="noopener">Toho Zinc (5707 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sky-perfect-jsat-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14097:1" rel="noopener">Sky Perfect Jsat (9412 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/maruha-nichiro-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20640:1" rel="noopener">Maruha Nichiro (1333 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pacific-metals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3439:1" rel="noopener">Pacific Metals (5541 JP)</a>.There will be quite a large impact from passive trading on a few names.The changes will be announced early September and will be implemented at the close of trading on 30 September.

In May, the Nikkei released a market consultation on proposed changes to the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) covering capping the weight of new constituents in the index at 1% by using a Price Adjustment Factor, limiting the number of index changes at a periodic review to 3, and changing the index universe from stocks listed on TSE's 1st section to stocks that are listed on the Prime Market (post the reorganisation). Most of the proposed changes were subsequently approved.This is the first Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) rebalance after the market consultation that tweaked things around. The tweaks could ensure the inclusion of stocks that were historically not included in the index due to their high stock price, though the impact will be much smaller since their weight in the index will not exceed 1%.At the upcoming rebalance, we see a high probability of Nintendo Co Ltd (7974 JP) and ZOZO Inc (3092 JP) being included in the index while there is a lower probability of Oriental Land (4661 JP) and Orix Corp (8591 JP) being included.Potential deletion candidates are Toho Zinc (5707 JP), Sky Perfect Jsat (9412 JP), Maruha Nichiro (1333 JP) and Pacific Metals (5541 JP).There will be quite a large impact from passive trading on a few names.The changes will be announced early September and will be implemented at the close of trading on 30 September.

Nikkei225 Index Rebalance Preview: Perennial Favourites Could Be In

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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

Zozo posted strong results with revenue beating consensus by 3.4% and OP beating by 10.9%. We had expected revenue to be weaker than consensus based on weak data points on web traffic but revenue growth of +15.4% YoY was materially stronger than our +4% estimate (consensus +11.7%) thanks to elevated spend per member driven by state of emergency declarations. Despite the strong results, guidance remains challenging and a clear miss remains on the cards if spend per member normalises.

Zozo posted strong results with revenue beating consensus by 3.4% and OP beating by 10.9%. We had expected revenue to be weaker than consensus based on weak data points on web traffic but revenue growth of +15.4% YoY was materially stronger than our +4% estimate (consensus +11.7%) thanks to elevated spend per member driven by state of emergency declarations. Despite the strong results, guidance remains challenging and a clear miss remains on the cards if spend per member normalises.

Conviction Call Zozo – Spend Per Member Refuses to Drop but Hurdles Get Steeper Going Forward

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. 

United Arrows core (and original) customer is now in their 40s and 50s with a large wallet and a willingness to spend on premium fashions. The venerable select shop retailer doesn’t want to age alongside its first customers and has unveiled a new brand targeting younger consumers with its lowest prices yet. United Arrows has faced tough trading during the pandemic but should benefit from a rebound given its strong brand and improving supply chains delivering better cost performance.

United Arrows core (and original) customer is now in their 40s and 50s with a large wallet and a willingness to spend on premium fashions. The venerable select shop retailer doesn’t want to age alongside its first customers and has unveiled a new brand targeting younger consumers with its lowest prices yet. United Arrows has faced tough trading during the pandemic but should benefit from a rebound given its strong brand and improving supply chains delivering better cost performance.

Zozo stock has remained stubbornly strong this year despite increasing signs of deceleration for apparel EC and in stark contrast to parent Z Holdings which at one point was 44% below its Nov 2020 high. We believe that web traffic and apparel retailer data points to disappointing top line growth numbers for 1Q.

Zozo stock has remained stubbornly strong this year despite increasing signs of deceleration for apparel EC and in stark contrast to parent Z Holdings which at one point was 44% below its Nov 2020 high. We believe that web traffic and apparel retailer data points to disappointing top line growth numbers for 1Q.

Conviction Call Zozo – 1Q GMV Trends Are a Risk

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zozo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18379:1" rel="noopener">ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)</a> today announced a JPY 32bn buyback. And it announced a JPY 25bn placement. The reasoning is that the company wants to have a place in the TSE Prime market and without a higher float, the company won't meet the 35% tradable shares criteria it is supposed to have in June. While this will not get them there by end of June, companies with a "plan" to get there will be granted provisional inclusion if they meet the other criteria, and this construct has a decent chance of getting them there.The explanation by the company is a little odd though. Investors should understand the details. Big picture they don't mean much, but the convoluted nature of the situation suggests

ZOZO Inc (3092 JP) today announced a JPY 32bn buyback. And it announced a JPY 25bn placement. The reasoning is that the company wants to have a place in the TSE Prime market and without a higher float, the company won't meet the 35% tradable shares criteria it is supposed to have in June. While this will not get them there by end of June, companies with a "plan" to get there will be granted provisional inclusion if they meet the other criteria, and this construct has a decent chance of getting them there.The explanation by the company is a little odd though. Investors should understand the details. Big picture they don't mean much, but the convoluted nature of the situation suggests 

Oh No ZoZo! An Overly Complicated Buyback+Issuance To Stay Prime

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)

Nikkei225 Index Rebalance Preview: Perennial Favourites Could Be In

Nintendo could be included in the NKY at the upcoming rebalance though the impact will not be very large. The new methodology could also result in...

Brian Freitas

Conviction Call Zozo – Spend Per Member Refuses to Drop but Hurdles Get Steeper Going Forward

Despite Zozo's strong results, guidance remains challenging and a clear miss remains on the cards if spend per member normalises.

Mio Kato

United Arrows Unveils Online Brand

United Arrows has had a tough time during the pandemic like all premium fashion retailers but should benefit from a rebound as well as its new...

Michael Causton

Conviction Call Zozo – 1Q GMV Trends Are a Risk

We believe that web traffic data for Zozo and apparel retailer data points to disappointing top line growth numbers for 1Q.

Mio Kato

Oh No ZoZo! An Overly Complicated Buyback+Issuance To Stay Prime

Zozo's Buyback and Equity Commitment Line is minimally EPS accretive but creates a flow overhang. I expect the ToSTNeT-3 to go differently than the...

Travis Lundy

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