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

Toshiba – First Impression of Spin Off Plan Is Negative

Toshiba – Processing Things After Speaking to the Company

Toshiba – We View Elliot’s Entry as Only Marginally Positive

Toshiba – Possibility of a Kioxia-Western Digital Deal

Gravity Works As WeWork Doesn't; Now Plan B

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

In this morning's news: "Merger talks between Western Digital and Kioxia stall" (Reuters, October 22, 2021, updated 9:07 a.m. JST). It is yet not clear how serious this might be.On October 19, the Nikkei reported that Toshiba affiliate Kioxia, Canon (7751) and Dai Nippon Printing (7912) are aiming to use nanoimprint lithography in Kioxia's NAND flash memory production in 2025.The potential savings in terms of equipment and operational costs could be great enough to give Kioxia a competitive advantage. It would also justify years of development and give Canon and Dai Nippon Printing important new products.But 2025 is a long time from now and technical hurdles remain. For the time being, more immediate issues are likely to move the stocks. LightStream's Mio Kato continues to see upside potential for Toshiba, but primarily as an exit opportunity (see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/toshiba-possibility-of-a-kioxia-western-digital-deal" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:56685" rel="noopener">Toshiba – Possibility of a Kioxia-Western Digital Deal</a> )

In this morning's news: "Merger talks between Western Digital and Kioxia stall" (Reuters, October 22, 2021, updated 9:07 a.m. JST). It is yet not clear how serious this might be.On October 19, the Nikkei reported that Toshiba affiliate Kioxia, Canon (7751) and Dai Nippon Printing (7912) are aiming to use nanoimprint lithography in Kioxia's NAND flash memory production in 2025.The potential savings in terms of equipment and operational costs could be great enough to give Kioxia a competitive advantage. It would also justify years of development and give Canon and Dai Nippon Printing important new products.But 2025 is a long time from now and technical hurdles remain. For the time being, more immediate issues are likely to move the stocks. LightStream's Mio Kato continues to see upside potential for Toshiba, but primarily as an exit opportunity (see Toshiba – Possibility of a Kioxia-Western Digital Deal )

Toshiba (6502 JP): Nanoimprint Litho Could Add Value to Kioxia, but Not Soon

Toshiba Corp

Toshiba (6502 JP): Nanoimprint Litho Could Add Value to Kioxia, but Not Soon