Compelling Valuations in Japan

Japanese equities are currently trading at compelling valuation levels compared to other developed equity markets around the world and relative to their own historical averages. We believe the Japanese market deserves a closer look.

December 2019
  • Masakazu Takeda
    Masakazu Takeda, CFA, CMA
    Portfolio Manager
  • Tadahiro Fujimura
    Tadahiro Fujimura, CFA, CMA
    Portfolio Manager

1. Attractive Price-to-Earnings Multiple

The price-to-earnings multiple, or P/E ratio, is the most common measure used to value equities. Japanese large-cap equities, as represented by the Tokyo Price Index (TOPIX), are currently trading on a P/E multiple of 14.6x forward earnings, over 20% lower than the U.S.

 

2. Low Price-to-Book

On a price-to-book basis (P/B), Japanese equities are also offering investors great value compared with other global developed equity markets. TOPIX is trading at just 1.2x book value, a third lower than the average among the top developed equity markets and almost two-thirds lower than the U.S.

 

3. Japan Small-Caps at a Discount

Small-cap Japanese companies are also trading at a discount to international peers. Small-cap stocks in Japan are trading on just 16.2x forward earnings, and as a point of reference, a 37% discount to U.S. small caps trading at 25.6x.

 

4. Japan’s Attractive P/E Relative to History

Japanese equities have a history of trading at relatively high P/E multiples. However, Japan’s current forward P/E multiple of 14.6x is slightly lower than its 10-year average of 15.0x.

 

 

Summary

We believe Japan’s growth story is just starting to unfold. Following the advent of Abenomics, many Japanese companies are experiencing higher profitability due to corporate restructuring, better governance, and a more competitive currency. With Japanese equities currently offering attractive valuations compared to G7 developed country equity markets and relative to history, we believe
Japan deserves a closer look as a component of an investor’s portfolio.

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To view the top 10 holdings of a Fund, please click the Fund name: Cornerstone Growth, Focus, Cornerstone Mid Cap 30, Cornerstone Large Growth, Cornerstone Value, Total Return, Equity and Income, Balanced, BP Energy, BP Midstream, Gas Utility, Japan, Japan Small Cap, Large Cap Financial, Small Cap Financial, Technology. Fund holdings are subject to change and not recommendations to buy or sell any security.

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To view the Morningstar ratings for the Japan Fund, please click here. (Media - TD Ameritrade) JPSIX received Overall Morningstar rating of 5 Stars based on risk-adjusted returns among 40 Japan Stock funds, as of 12/31/19.

To view the Morningstar ratings for the Focus Fund, please click here. (Media - CNBC-B. Macualey) HFCSX received Overall Morningstar rating of 4 Stars based on risk-adjusted returns among 568 Mid-Cap Growth funds, as of 2/29/2020.

To view the Morningstar ratings, please click here.

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