Active Investing in Japan

Japan market summary for Tuesday (Oct. 30)
Nikkei 225 Stock Average: -47.07 (-0.3%) to 16,651.01
Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: -60 (-0.4%) to 16,670, Singapore (SGX) -45 (-0.3%) to 16,6806, Chicago (CME) *10/29 +90 (+0.5%) to 16,755
TOPIX: +0.72 (+0.0%) to 1,607.21; Advancers 857 x decliners 761 (unch. 105), New highs 12 x new lows 73; 19/33 sectors posted gains
Nikkei Jasdaq: -5.35 (-0.3%) to 1,860.17
Yen: weakened 0.5% against US$ to 114.70 level late in Tokyo; weakened 0.3% to 165.20 level against euro
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Japan market summary for Monday (Oct. 29)
Nikkei 225 Stock Average: +192.45 (+1.2%) to 16,698.08
Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: +240 (+1.5%) to 16,730, Singapore (SGX) +235 (+1.4%) to 16,725, Chicago (CME) 10/26 +270 (+1.65%) to 16,665
TOPIX: +32.52 (+2.1%) to 1,606.49; Advancers 1,242 x decliners 402 (unch. 79), New highs 11 x new lows 61
Nikkei Jasdaq: +14.40 (+0.8%) to 1,865.52
Yen: weakened 0.1% against the US$ to the 114.15 level late in Tokyo; weakened 0.3% against the euro to the 164.70 level
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Earnings and monetary policy are key for this week. Both the U.S. FOMC and Bank of Japan (BOJ) have rate decision meetings ending on Wednesday. It goes without saying that market participants are most concerned with the Fed’s decision and clearly expect another rate cut (by 0.25%). Unfortunately, Japanese stocks remain vulnerable because a negative surprise for U.S. market players from the Fed means “sell sell sell” for everyone. continue reading…

Japan market summary for Friday (Oct. 26)
Nikkei 225 Stock Average: +221.46 (+1.4%) to 16,505.63
Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: +210 (+1.3%) to 16,490, Singapore (SGX) +200 (+1.2%) to 16,490, Chicago (CME) *10/25 (%) to -5 (-0.0%) to 16,395
TOPIX: +25.90 (+1.7%) to 1,573.97; Advancers 1,098 x decliners 522 (unch. 113), New highs 10 x new lows 95
Nikkei Jasdaq: +2.49 (+0.1%) to 1,851.12
Yen: mostly flat against US$ at 114.30 level late in Tokyo; weakened 0.8% against euro to 164.25 level
Notes: Emerging stock indices MOTHERS jumped 4.7% and HERCULES rose 1.8%. Briefly, Honda and Sony both jumped 9% following their earnings releases late Thursday. Honda’s results fueled a rally in the automotive sector. Nomura rose more than 4% and Nintendo gained 2% — both reported late Thursday as well.

Japan market summary for Thursday (Oct. 25)
Nikkei 225 Stock Average: -74.22 (-0.5%) to 16,284.17
Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: -90 (-0.6%) to 16,280, Singapore (SGX) -85 (-0.5%) to 16,290, Chicago (CME) *10/24 -180 (-1.1%) to 16,400
TOPIX: -15.79 (-1.0%) to 1,548.07; Advancers 431 x decliners 1,210 (unch. 84), New highs 4 x new lows 123
Nikkei Jasdaq: -9.64 (-0.5%) to 1,848.63
Yen: strengthened 0.1% against the US$ to 114.25 level late in Tokyo; weakened 0.1% against the euro to 162.95 level
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General Motors’ Asia Pacific president Rick Brown at the Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday said comparing GM to Toyota is a waste of time and energy — ?????????????????????????????? — referring to the much talked about point that Toyota could surpass GM in global vehicles sold (volume) annually, as early as this year. GM’s Brown said what’s most important is to focus on design and production, as well as satisfying dealers. Have to agree with Brown on that point, but his attitude of something like who cares, “Toyota may pass GM” or “it may not pass GM”, seems inappropriate, especially at the Tokyo Motor Show. continue reading…

The following is a schedule of fiscal Q2 earnings release dates for Japanese stocks focused on those with ADRs. The list has been updated to include earnings dates for some that were previously unavailable. continue reading…

Japan market summary for Wednesday (Oct. 24)
Nikkei 225 Stock Average: -92.19 (-0.6%) to 16,358.39
Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: -110 (-0.7%) to 16,370, Singapore (SGX) -110 (-0.7%) to 16,375, Chicago (CME) *10/23 +70 (+0.4%) to 16,580
TOPIX: -6.69 (-0.4%) to 1,563.86; Advancers 657 x decliners 932 (unch. 136), New highs 14 x new lows 66
Nikkei Jasdaq: +1.60 (+0.1%) to 1,858.27
Yen: mostly flat against the US$ at 114.35-40 level late in Tokyo; weakened about 0.1% against the euro to 162.75 level
Notes: Emerging stock indices MOTHERS and HERCULES both traded to the upside, +2.2% and +1.7%, respectively. The title effectively explains what happened in Wednesday’s market. Other Asian benchmarks also faced heavy selling and reversals late in the day.

Japan market summary for Tuesday (Oct. 23)
Nikkei 225 Stock Average: +12.11 (+0.1%) to 16,450.58; first gain in 3 sessions albeit a limited one
Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: +40 (+0.2%) to 16,480, Singapore (SGX) +20 (+0.1%) to 16,485, Chicago (CME) *10/22 +50 (+0.3%) to 16,510
TOPIX: +7.48 (+0.5%) to 1,570.55; Advancers 1,007 x decliners 596 (unch. 122), New highs 8 x new lows 48; 23/33 sectors traded higher
Nikkei Jasdaq: -1.92 (-0.1%) to 1,856.67
Yen: weakened 0.5% against the US$ last trading near 114.40 level late in Tokyo; strengthened 0.1% against the euro to about the 162.65 level
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Despite dipping into the red around 10 A.M. JST after gapping up, the Nikkei ended the morning session more than 50 points higher, as TOPIX 1 advancers outnumbered decliners about 2:1. A weaker yen helped as the US$ was up about Y0.50, or 0.4% to the Y114.55-60 level. Monday trading in the U.S. was volatile but positive at market close. Apple’s earnings and after-hours surge provided a boost to sentiment. The N225 has almost doubled its gains at the beginning of afternoon trading.