Aims to deliver superior performance by identifying undervalued companies that are expected to undergo change and investing in them over the long term.
We seek to generate high returns through a long-term, contrarian approach that identifies undervalued companies likely to undergo transformation.
The mature nature of the Japanese economy makes its stock market highly cyclical, allowing seasoned investors to take advantage of repeated patterns. In this type of market, a consistent application of contrarian value-oriented investment is the most effective way to generate excess returns. We aim to benefit from opportunities in which stocks are revalued by the market.
Examples of undervalued companies that are expected to undergo transformation include:
Companies that offer goods and services needed by society will generally have business continuity, offer downside protection, and are likely to possess a turnaround catalyst, even if they are temporarily undervalued. Our research seeks to identify such companies that demonstrate these three attributes.
Chief portfolio manager Takaaki Harashima has ultimate responsibility for investment decisions regarding the strategy’s portfolio construction. Harashima and senior portfolio manager Shinya Takada jointly lead the investment team. Harashima joined Nikko Asset Management as a sector analyst in 2000. In 2005, he became a dedicated value style analyst, before progressing to a portfolio management role within the team the following year. Takada joined Nikko Asset Management as a sector analyst in 2004. He changed his role to that of a value style analyst in 2006 and eventually became a portfolio manager in 2012.
The Value Strategy Fund Management Team also features four value style analysts whose in-depth bottom-up research provides a level of insight that allows the team to invest with conviction and effectively avoid "value-trapped" stocks. The accumulation of years of such research contributes significantly to the strategy's success. The team is also supported by Nikko AM’s robust equity research platform, consisting of a team of experienced sector analysts.
Decades-long Track Record
Turn-around Catalyst Driven Investment
Dedicated Value Analyst Team
3-5 Year Investment Horizon
Chief Portfolio Manager & Co-Head of Japan Value Team
Senior Portfolio Manager & Co-Head of Japan Value Team
More than half of clients have invested in the strategy for over 10+ years, representing more than 50% of strategy AUM.
The length of mandate by client is calculated according to the base date, or the date when management of the portfolio adopting this strategy began.
For fund-type portfolios, in principle one fund is counted as one client and the length of mandate is calculated from the inception date. In line with the actual period managed, some funds have a mandate length of less than five years.
In the case of a single client investing in a multiple portfolios of the strategy, the length of the mandate is calculated from the start of the initial mandate; the multiple portfolios are counted as one client.
Figures above may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Past performance does not guarantee future returns.
We seek to understand whether poor stock performance is due to a structural or cyclical issue, and invest in companies that we believe are underperforming due to structural issues, but possess a turn-around catalyst—what we call "Phase 1" stocks, which are the main focus of the strategy and comprise around 60–70% of the portfolio*.
“Phase 2” stocks are companies that resolve their structural issues in Phase 1 and start to generate positive cash flow in Phase 2. They comprise approximately 30–40% of the portfolio*.
Stocks underperforming due to structural issues, but have a turn-around catalyst
Focus on the catalyst to turn stock price around:
A. Structural change due to the company’s own efforts (supply side catalyst)
B. Structural / environmental change in the market (demand side catalyst)
Does the company have products / services / human resources that are needed by the market to capture new demand?
Stocks underperforming due to cyclical issues
Assessment of type of cycle and position within cycle:
A. Cyclical factor due to economic cycle
B. Cyclical factor due to product life cycle
C. Cyclical factor due to time lag between upfront investment and recovery
D. Cyclical factor due to business cycles unique to the company
*Weightings of Phase 1 and Phase 2 stocks are subject to change, depending on market conditions.
The strategy identifies major secular trends that are related to anomalies or societal issues, including various environmental and social challenges, and aims to select companies that offer potential (i.e. products or solutions) to address such issues while remaining undervalued. These four are examples of such companies, shares of which are currently held by the strategy.
Industrial equipment manufacturer; while known as maker of industrial equipment ranging from motorcycles to ships, it possesses core technologies related to every stage of the hydrogen value chain; the firm can produce, store and transport hydrogen and then using it to generate power. It has also jointly developed a robotic-assisted surgery system which promises to reduce healthcare costs for both the government and individuals.
Comprehensive housing and wood product manufacturer whose operations include forest management, the processing and distribution of lumber, construction of wooden buildings and biomass power generation. It operates a sustainable value chain focused on wood (so called “wood cycle”) and contributes to decarbonization of society through its experience in forest management and ecosystem conservation.
Seasoning maker which introduced “umami” (savoury) taste to consumers worldwide; through its plant-based protein supplements and other products has contributed to healthy diets and richer lifestyles while also implementing a sustainable bio-cycle for its amino acid production; due to its contributions to society, the company, in our view, represents the “S” (social) aspect of ESG principles.
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company with the world’s most advanced technology in antibody medicines; firm develops innovative specialty drugs to treat rare illnesses.
ESG soft integration is defined as integrating ESG outcomes through methods such as internally defined ESG scores, best in class investment, and engagement.
Reference to any particular company is purely for illustrative purpose only and does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, nor to be relied upon as financial advice in any way
The funds mentioned are Singapore registered funds approved for sale or purchase in Singapore. By proceeding, you are representing and warranting that you are either resident in Singapore or the applicable laws and regulations of your jurisdiction allow you to access the information.
The information on this website is not intended to be an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell any product or service to any person in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction.
This website may contain links to the website of certain overseas affiliates of Nikko Asset Management Asia Limited (“Nikko AM Asia”). However, providing such links should not be considered as offering or solicitation by Nikko AM Asia of any product or service of its affiliates to any person.
This website is purely for informational purposes only with no consideration given to the specific investment objective, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person. It should not be relied upon as financial advice. The mention of individual securities, sectors, regions or countries within this website are for illustration purposes only and does not imply a recommendation to buy or sell. You should seek advice from a financial adviser before making any investment. In the event that you choose not to do so, you should consider whether the investment selected is suitable for you. Investments in funds are not deposits in, obligations of, or guaranteed or insured by Nikko AM Asia.
Past performance or any prediction, projection or forecast is not indicative of future performance. The Funds or any underlying funds may use or invest in financial derivative instruments. The value of units and income from them may fall or rise. Investments in the Funds are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal amount invested. You should read the relevant prospectus (including the risk warnings) and product highlights sheet of the Funds, which are available and may be obtained from appointed distributors of Nikko AM Asia or our website (www.nikkoam.com.sg) before deciding whether to invest in the Funds.
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