Investment Philosophy
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:
- Those in “crisis mode” where poor standing in the market compels management/employees to make fundamental changes
- Those whose mindset is changing toward enhancing corporate value
- Those with attractive potential that may be priced into the stock price in the future
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.
Experienced Team with Long Track Record
Chief portfolio manager Takaaki Harashima has ultimate responsibility for investment decisions regarding the strategy’s portfolio construction. Harashima also leads the investment team. Harashima joined Amova 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 Amova 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 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 Amova AM’s robust equity research platform, consisting of a team of experienced sector analysts.
Key Characteristics
Japan Value Equity Team
Takaaki Harashima, CMA
Chief Portfolio Manager &
Head of Japan Value Team
Shinya Takada, CMA
Senior Portfolio Manager
Breakdown of Clients by Mandate Length
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.
Focus on Turn-Around Catalysts
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 defined as stocks that are underperforming due to cyclical issues. They comprise approximately 30–40% of the portfolio*.
Phase 1 Stocks:
Stocks underperforming due to structural issues, but have a turn-around catalyst
Focus on the catalyst to turn stock price around
- Structural change due to the company’s own efforts (supply side catalyst)
- 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?
Phase 2 Stocks:
Stocks underperforming due to cyclical issues
Assessment of type of cycle and position within cycle
- Cyclical factor due to economic cycle
- Cyclical factor due to product life cycle
- Cyclical factor due to time lag between upfront investment and recovery
- 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.
Investment Process
Defining Investment Universe
- All listed stocks (approx. 4,000)
- Exclude high credit risk and low liquidity stocks;
- Reduce to approx. 2,000 stocks
Defining Value Research Universe
- Exclude overvalued stocks
- Secondary check on liquidity
- Reduce to 600 - 700 stocks
Bottom-up Research & Fundamental Analysis
- Identify attractive stocks with:
- Business continuity
- Downside protection
- Turnaround catalyst
- Multi-layered Research to understand diverse business opportunities & risks
Portfolio Construction
- From Buy List (approx. 200 stocks), select portfolio of 80-100 stocks
- Determine active weight
Risk Management
- Disciplined selling criteria
- Use of risk models to evaluate portfolio risk attributes
Examples of “ESG Soft Integration” Portfolio Holdings
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.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
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 individual stocks is for illustration purpose only and does not guarantee their continued inclusion in the strategy’s portfolio, nor constitute a recommendation to buy or sell.
Risks Information
The risks associated with investments in equities may be higher, because the investment performance of equity securities depends on factors which are difficult to predict. Such factors include the possibility of sudden or prolonged market declines and risks associated with individual companies. The fundamental risk associated with any equity portfolio is the risk that the value of the investments it holds might decrease. Equity security values may fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to the general market and/or economic conditions.
Counterparty risk – the possibility that the counterparty, such as brokers, clearing houses and other agents be unable to perform its obligations due to insolvency, bankruptcy or other causes.
Liquidity risk – investments that could have a lower level of liquidity due to (extreme) market conditions or issuer-specific factors and or large redemptions of shareholders. Liquidity risk is the risk that a position in the portfolio cannot be sold, liquidated or closed at limited cost in an adequately short time frame as required to meet liabilities of the Strategy.
Operational risk – due to issues such as natural disasters, technical problems and fraud.
Derivative risk – the Strategy may use derivatives as described in the Prospectus - Objectives and Investment Policy. Use of derivatives results in higher chances of loss due to the use of leverage, or borrowing. Derivatives allow investors to earn large returns from small movements in the underlying asset's price. However, investors could lose large amounts if the price of the underlying assets moves against them significantly.
Sustainability Risk
The risk arising from any environmental, social or governance events or conditions that, were they to occur, could cause material negative impact on the value of the investment. Specific sustainability risk can vary for each product and asset class, and include but are not limited to: Transition Risk, Physical Risk, Social Risk and Governance Risk.
If you intend to invest in the UCITS Fund, please refer to the Fund Prospectus in order to identify whether the Sub-Fund will manage sustainability factors within the meaning of the SFD Regulation (EU) 2019/2088: an article 6 (limited to analysing sustainability risk as part of its risk management process), an article 8 (which also promotes certain environmental and social characteristics) or article 9 (which has sustainable investment as its primary objective).
