Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Securities analyst covering electronics, precision equipment & robotics, engineering, construction, transport and other sectors for more than 25 years in Japan and 3 years in Korea. Permanent resident of Japan.

Senior Technology Analyst, Japanese Equities

Sumco (3436 JP): 21% Dilution from New Share Issue, Buy into Current Weakness

Sumco – Overcapacity Risks but Oversold

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

Year-on-year sales and profit comparisons turned positive in 2Q of FY Dec-21 and management is guiding for further improvement in 3Q. But the share price has dropped 23% since mid-July,Potential reasons for the sell-off include concern over the resurgent pandemic, price competition, an over-heated semiconductor market and plans for new green field investment, which could limit profitability.On the plus side, management reports that contract prices are firm, spot prices have started to rise and customer inventory has been declining. Supplies of both 300mm and 200mm silicon wafers remain tight.Taking an optimistic view of logic and memory demand over the next few years, we recommend buying into the current weakness.

Year-on-year sales and profit comparisons turned positive in 2Q of FY Dec-21 and management is guiding for further improvement in 3Q. But the share price has dropped 23% since mid-July,Potential reasons for the sell-off include concern over the resurgent pandemic, price competition, an over-heated semiconductor market and plans for new green field investment, which could limit profitability.On the plus side, management reports that contract prices are firm, spot prices have started to rise and customer inventory has been declining. Supplies of both 300mm and 200mm silicon wafers remain tight.Taking an optimistic view of logic and memory demand over the next few years, we recommend buying into the current weakness.

SUMCO Corp

SUMCO (3436 JP): Buy on Weakness