Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Over 15 years analysing Japanese and Asian stocks from a long/short perspective

I focus on cyclically driven sectors such as Gaming, Factory Automation and Autos

An eclectic background as a long-short analyst, upper management at a financial data startup through its listing, and as the founder of a team analysing big/alternative data, all of which supports independent and differentiated views... we hope

An appreciation for Mathematics drives the development of a "Micro-Quantamental" process which can provide a data-driven, historically-informed and semi-automated foundation upon which to layer more qualitative and judgemental analysis, thus improving investment decision-making speed and accuracy

Japan/Asia Long-Short

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Update 30th April - D1Life, Toto, JR-W, CTC, Murata, Nidec, Mercari

🇯🇵 JAPAN MARKET UPDATE 4th May - No Quarter

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions Update 7th May - Yamaha, Misumi, FANCL, Workman, Nintendo

2020 High Conviction - A Mercarific Holiday Season to All

Mercari – Physical Stores and Data Partnerships Strengthen Ecosystem Further

Mercari Recruits Retailers and Brands to Exploit Data & Expand Markets

Japan Payment Wars: NTT Docomo and Merpay/Origami to Attempt Catch up with PayPay and Rakuten

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

Mercari released solid 3Q numbers today with revenue up 50% YoY to ¥20.4bn (consensus ¥19.4bn) and an operating loss of ¥6.39bn (consensus ¥6.37bn). More pertinently, the company announced forecasts for FY06/20 with sales forecast at ¥73-75bn (consensus ¥70.4bn) and operating loss forecast at ¥23-25bn (consensus ¥24.7bn). The company also established a nomination and remuneration committee with majority outside directors which is encouraging for a company of its size. The internals were even more encouraging, and we examine these below.

Mercari released solid 3Q numbers today with revenue up 50% YoY to ¥20.4bn (consensus ¥19.4bn) and an operating loss of ¥6.39bn (consensus ¥6.37bn). More pertinently, the company announced forecasts for FY06/20 with sales forecast at ¥73-75bn (consensus ¥70.4bn) and operating loss forecast at ¥23-25bn (consensus ¥24.7bn). The company also established a nomination and remuneration committee with majority outside directors which is encouraging for a company of its size. The internals were even more encouraging, and we examine these below. 

Mercari – Prospects for Achieving Profitability Next Year Have Increased Significantly