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* Value of investment trusts down 0.4 pct to 59.64 trln yen
HONG KONG: Chinese inflation data showing a sharp jump in consumer prices sent Asian stocks lower Thursday as dealers grew anxious that Beijing would introduce further monetary tightening measures.
TOKYO, March 11 (Reuters) - The benchmark Nikkei average <.N225> rose 0.8 percent and the broader Topix <.TOPX> gained 0.7 percent on Thursday.
HONG KONG – Chinese inflation data showing a sharp jump in prices put investors in a cautious mood Wednesday while contrasting economic figures from the US and Japan left Asian stocks mixed.
DAILY REPORTS
Mar 11 Investors unconvinced by Fujitsu claims, TSE probe (Japan Times)
Fujitsu Ltd. has drawn renewed calls from investors to shed more light on the departure of former President Kuniaki Nozoe after the Tokyo Stock Exchange ended a probe Tuesday into the conflicting reasons given by the firm. The TSE ended its probe of Fujitsu after determining the company didn't mislead investors enough to warrant further action. In response, the nation's largest provider of computer services said it will strive to disclose information appropriately.
Mar 10 Japan stocks flat; Toyota falls on mounting woes (BusinessWeek)
Japanese stocks finished flat Wednesday, as declines by shipping lines and Toyota Motor Corp. offset encouraging economic data. The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index slipped 3.73 points, or .04 percent, to 10,563.92 in thin trading. With few trading cues, the overall market struggled to find direction. The broader Topix index fell 0.2 percent to 922.44. Toyota shed 1.4 percent to 3,445 yen after the besieged automaker faced more concerns about its quality problems.
Mar 09 Nikkei down after hitting 6-week high (AP)
Japan's Nikkei stock index fell Tuesday on profit-taking after rising to a six-week high, but losses were limited as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the release of key Asian indicators. The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average fell 18.27 points, or 0.2 percent, to 10,567.65 after hitting a six-week high Monday. The broader Topix index shed 0.3 percent to 924.38. "Investors locked in profits following yesterday's rally. It was technical selling," said Masatoshi Sato, market analyst at Mizuho Investors Securities Co. Ltd.
Mar 09 Companies abandoning smaller bourses to focus on TSE (Asahi)
In a trend that could undermine smaller bourses in Japan, more companies are concentrating their shares solely on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). According to TSE records, the number of companies whose shares were listed on the TSE as well as one of Japan's four other stock markets in Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo has slid from 1,042 in 1999 to 773 in 2009. Many companies have pulled out of the smaller bourses to save on the annual commissions paid to those stock exchanges, which range from hundreds of thousand yen to millions of yen, and to reduce paperwork.
Mar 08 Nikkei closes at 6-week high on eased fears about U.S. economy (AP)
Tokyo stocks jumped around 2 percent Monday, sending the key Nikkei index to a six-week closing high, on eased fears about the U.S. economy due to better-than-forecast U.S. jobs, which helped lift Wall Street and the U.S. dollar relative to the yen. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 216.96 points, or 2.09 percent, from Friday to 10,585.92, marking the highest closing level since Jan. 22 when it finished at 10,590.55.
Mar 07 For sceptics of Japan's stock market, the jellyfish might have a sting in the tail (telegraph.co.uk)
Appetising it was not but it did seem entirely apt that my first meal in Tokyo should include a dish described as "two kinds of jellyfish with pickled vegetables". Nothing had been lost in translation, I can assure you. It tasted every bit as awful as it sounds and the glutinous tendrils had an unforgettably unpleasant texture. You need a strong stomach to venture onto the wilder shores of this island's cuisine - and stronger nerves to invest in its stock market. The Nikkei 225 index has been stuck in a 20-year sulk and trades today at barely one quarter of the all time peak it hit in 1990.
Mar 06 Tokyo pins IPO hopes on insurer's bumper offer (Reuters)
IPOs don't get much larger than the $12 billion offering from Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Co, Japan's second-biggest insurer, and optimism is running high that it will kickstart the country's moribund IPO market. The IPO, potentially the world's largest after credit card firm Visa Inc's (V.N) $19.7 billion offering in 2008, is so big that Tokyo's stock exchange TSE.UL has amended trading rules for the shares on their debut even after its launch of a new turbo-charged trading system.
Mar 05 Tokyo stocks rise on weaker yen amid report on BOJ monetary easing (AP)
Tokyo stocks rebounded Friday morning as investor sentiment was buoyed by a weaker yen following a news report that the Bank of Japan may implement further monetary easing. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 209.91 points, or 2.07 percent, from Thursday to 10,355.63. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 13.70 points, or 1.53 percent, to 911.34. In contrast to the previous trading day, all 33 sectors on the TSE advanced, led by real estate, warehouse and sea transport issues.
Mar 04 Tokyo stocks stay flat as stronger yen caps Greece hopes (AP)
Tokyo stocks were mostly flat Thursday morning in Tokyo as a stronger yen capped buying incentives from fresh austerity measures announced by Greece to rein in its ballooning debt. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 2.96 points, or 0.03 percent, from Wednesday to 10,250.18. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 0.08 point, or 0.01 percent, to 905.73.
Mar 03 Tokyo stocks gain on hopes about Greece bailout (AP)
rose marginally Wednesday, with investors taking comfort over an imminent announcement of a bailout package for debt-ridden Greece, which helped lift U.S. and European stocks overnight. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average
Mar 02 Japanese Stocks Rise as Chip Companies Advance; Sekisui Gains (BusinessWeek)
Japanese stocks rose for a third day as global chip sales climbed and U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected. Sumco Corp. led gains by chip-related stocks. Sony Corp., an electronics maker that gets almost 25 percent of sales in the U.S., advanced 1.3 percent. Sekisui House Ltd., Japan's second- biggest homebuilder, climbed 3.3 percent after the company forecast a return to profit. Nintendo Co. jumped 3.1 percent after Kyodo News said the company sold more than 10 million Wii consoles in Japan.
Mar 02 Inventors struggling to strike jackpot (Yomiuri)
Atsuko Yoda used to get frustrated that her soap would get sticky after getting wet. After searching high and low for a solution to her sudsy struggle, she eventually decided to take matters into her own hands. The result was "oshare soupu disshu caba" (stylish net for soap dishes)--a net that covers a soap dish to prevent the cake of soap from directly touching it, thereby helping the soap dry more quickly. Yoda's invention three years ago has not only given her one less thing to worry about, but also is providing her with some pocket money: The cover sells for 1,050 yen, and Yoda expects to sell 1,000 of them this year.
Mar 01 Japan stocks rise on reported Greece rescue plan, rising copper price after quake in Chile (canadianbusiness.com)
Japanese stocks rose Monday as investors cheered a report on a rescue plan for Greece's debt-ridden economy, while metal shares rose on a jump in copper prices following a killer earthquake in Chile, the world's top copper producer. The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index increased 46.03 points, or 0.5 percent, to 10,172.06. The broader Topix index edged up 0.5 percent to 898.93.
Feb 28 World waking up to signs of Japanese resurgence (Times Online)
Could dawn really be in sight at long last in the land of the rising sun? Several prominent fund managers certainly think so and are rushing to buy Japanese shares ahead of an expected stock market correction in western markets. The economy in Japan has drifted sideways for years, while shares have continued to fall in value following the 1989 Nikkei peak of 38,915. Today it stands at about 10,380. However, following stellar performance from emerging markets last year, as well as strong stock market rises in Britain, North America and Europe, Japan is one place that has not yet bounced back and may - finally - hold out some promise for investors.
Feb 26 Tokyo stocks inch higher on upbeat Jan. output, U.S. data awaited (AP)
Tokyo stocks edged up Friday after choppy trading as better-than- expected Japanese industrial output data for January supported buybacks after a three-day losing streak, although gains were capped as investors cautiously awaited U.S. economic data and other key events next week. After drifting in and out of negative territory in the morning, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed up 24.07 points, or 0.24 percent, from Thursday at 10,126.03.
Feb 26 A new dawn for investing in Japan (moneyobserver.com)
After decades in the doldrums, undervalued Japan is back on investors' radar, reports Heather Connon Japan could be described as full of Eastern promise as every few years it seems to promise great riches for investors. But invariably the promises are exposed as empty. While Western markets have suffered from one lost decade, Japan is coming to the end of its second one: its stock market is only worth around a quarter of the value it was at the end of the 1980s. And while there have been occasional rallies - 2005 was a good year - these have quickly petered out.
Feb 25 Tokyo stocks fall as stronger yen outweighs Fed chief's rate remarks (AP)
Tokyo stocks fell Thursday for the third consecutive session, as mounting pressure from the yen's advance in the currency market outweighed initial gains on bargain-hunting spurred by the U.S. Federal Reserve chief's commitment to keep interest rates low. Despite a positive start, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average declined 96.87 points, or 0.95 percent, from Wednesday to 10,101.96. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dropped 4.28 points, or 0.48 percent, to 891.41. By sector, glass and ceramics saw the largest percentage decline, followed by mining and sea transport. The warehouse, electricity and gas, and retailer sectors were among the major gainers.
Feb 24 Tokyo stocks fall as strong yen, U.S. consumer unease hit exporters (AP)
Tokyo stocks tumbled Wednesday, led by losses in exporter shares such as electronics makers brought on by a stronger yen, with investor sentiment dampened on a sharp fall in U.S. consumer confidence. While losses were slightly trimmed from the day's low, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 153.27 points, or 1.48 percent, from Tuesday to 10,198.83.
Feb 23 Japan stocks down as yen rises, investors await Toyota testimony (canadianbusiness.com)
Japanese stocks retreated Tuesday as investors locked in profits from the previous day's big gains and waited to see how Toyota Motor Corp. executives fare under questioning by U.S. lawmakers. The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average slipped 48.37 points, or 0.5 percent, to 10,352.10. On Monday, the index rose 2.7 percent in its sharpest climb in 11 weeks.
Feb 23 Japan eyes commodity boom as home-grown ETFs launch (Reuters)
A trickle of recently-launched commodity-linked funds in Japan is set to swell in coming years as stodgy savers, pension funds and regional banks search for higher returns beyond the usual mix of bonds and equities. Money managers looking to offer more commodity asset products to customers are eyeing a share of an estimated $20 trillion pool of investment funds -- or 1.5 times U.S. GDP -- held by retail investors, life insurers and corporate pension funds.
Feb 23 'Gratitude' spurs JAL stock splurge (Yomiuri)
Even though shares in Japan Airlines were rendered worthless Saturday following the firm's delisting, an Osaka Prefecture woman snapped up 10,000 shares out of gratitude for an incident that occurred half a century ago. JAL currently is undergoing rehabilitation under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law. "JAL provided me with a large slice of happiness, and I want nothing more than to see the company get back on its feet," Taeko Matsubara said.
Feb 22 Tokyo stocks stage rebound on eased U.S. rate hike jitters (AP)
Tokyo stocks jumped Monday, rebounding from Friday's plunge, on eased jitters about Wall Street's response to the U.S. Federal Reserve's move to raise its discount rate, while the U.S. dollar's firmness against the yen encouraged buying of exporters. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 276.89 points, or 2.74 percent, from Friday to 10,400.47.
Feb 22 Stock investors turning to personal trading (Yomiuri)
An increasing number of investors are bypassing stock exchanges and trading shares on proprietary trading systems (PTS) operated by securities companies. Last year, the volume of PTS stock trading was on a similar scale to trades made on the Jasdaq Securities Exchange. Market insiders speculate that such systems will help stimulate the entire range of Tokyo markets.
Feb 21 TSE 1st Section 'to see 9.9% profit rise' (Yomiuri)
The aggregate pretax profits, not including financial services, of companies listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, will show an upturn for fiscal 2009, the first in two business years, Nikko Cordial Securities Inc. has forecast. Chief among the factors behind the profit gains of major firms is the improved business performance of motor vehicle and electronics manufacturers, due to better-than-expected exports to emerging econo-mies during the October-December quarter, Nikko said Friday.
Feb 19 Nikkei slips as resources hit after Fed; banks down (Reuters)
Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 2.1 percent on Friday, with resource-linked shares such as Mitsui & Co (8031.T) hurt after the U.S. Federal Reserve's discount rate hike jolted commodities prices. Property shares tumbled after real estate investment advisory firm Davinci Holdings (4314.OJ) said its liabilites exceeded assets, highlighting risks for the sector, while Mizuho Financial (8411.T) dropped after a brokerage downgrade on recapitalisation concerns.
Feb 18 Tokyo stocks edge up in directionless trading as profit-taking weighs (AP)
Tokyo stocks inched higher Thursday in directionless trading, with financial shares such as consumer lenders and banks advancing, but gains were capped by profit-taking after the previous day's sharp rise. Drifting in and out of negative territory, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed up 28.86 points, or 0.28 percent, from Wednesday at 10,335.69.
Feb 17 Nikkei surges to 2-week high on assurances from H.K., Wall St. rallies (AP)
The key Nikkei index surged almost 3 percent Wednesday to a two-week closing high as Wall Street's rise overnight and strong gains in the Hong Kong market after the Lunar New Year holiday boosted investor sentiment, with resource issues leading a broad-based rally. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 272.58 points, or 2.72 percent, from Tuesday to 10,306.83, its highest close since Feb. 4 and the biggest percentage gain in a day since Dec. 3.
Feb 17 BNP Paribas unit gets record fine (Japan Times)
The Tokyo Stock Exchange on Tuesday imposed a record fine of ¥180 million on the Japanese unit of French financial giant BNP Paribas SA for violating bourse rules. The TSE said BNP Paribas Securities (Japan) Ltd. discouraged now-defunct real estate developer Urban Corp. from disclosing key corporate information in 2008 and manipulated the share price of Internet conglomerate Softbank Corp. last year.
Feb 17 War on for control of J:COM (Asahi)
Sumitomo Corp. announced Monday it will make a public tender offer of 139,500 yen ($1,548) a share for Jupiter Telecommunications Co. (J:COM), Japan's largest cable TV provider, to become the company's top shareholder. The trading company's offer runs from March 3 to April 14, escalating competition with telecom firm KDDI Corp., which has also vowed to take control of J:COM. Sumitomo currently is J:COM's second-largest shareholder with a 27.7-percent stake.
Feb 16 Tokyo stocks edge up in slow trade while China, Greece jitters weigh (AP)
Tokyo stocks edged higher Tuesday in sluggish trading, with concerns about China's monetary tightening and Greek debt problems continuing to weigh on sentiment amid a lack of market participants and cues as many other Asian markets remained closed for holidays. Hovering in a narrow range throughout the day, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 20.95 points, or 0.21 percent, from Monday to 10,034.25.
Feb 16 Is now the time to put Japan back on the buy list? (moneymarketing.co.uk)
The arguments for returning to this market make interesting reading. Japan has a new finance minister who is expected to take a more pragmatic approach to fiscal policy than his predecessor. In particular, he is known to favour a weaker yen as a way of combating the deflation that has plagued the country over the past two decades. With the dollar now strengthening, it seems likely he will get his way.
Feb 16 Does Japan still merit its place in your portfolio? (ifaonline.co.uk)
Japan has been disappointing investors for 20 years and towards the end of 2009, it seemed they would abandon the region once and for all. right Major institutions were laying off Japanese analysts and closing funds last year. The Merrill Lynch Global Fund Manager survey showed Japan's popularity at a low point, relative to both the rest of the world and to its own history.
Feb 15 Tokyo stocks fall as China's monetary tightening weighs amid holiday (AP)
Tokyo stocks fell Monday, weighed down by worries that China's raising bank reserve requirements would hinder global economic recovery and with many investors staying on the sidelines while U.S. and major Asian markets are closed for holidays. After brief drifts in and out of positive territory at the outset, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 78.89 points, or 0.78 percent, from Friday to 10,013.30.
Feb 12 Japanese Stocks: Why Small-Caps Will Lead Japan's Economy Out Of The Wilderness (istockanalyst.com)
It's a move that is about as popular as a geek on prom night. But on Monday, my good friend and colleague, Alexander Green, took the plunge and slapped a "Buy" rating on investing in Japan. I'm right there with him, too. And it's not just because I don't want my friend to be lonely. Why? Well, given that I'm a contrarian investor by nature, I started the thought process with one simple question: What investments do people universally love or hate? I couldn't come up with a better answer than Japan.
Feb 10 Tokyo stocks rebound on Greece rescue hopes, weaker yen (AP)
Tokyo stocks snapped a four-day loss to rebound Wednesday, with the Nikkei index temporarily recovering to above the 10,000 line, as hopes of possible aid to ease sovereign debt concerns in Europe prompted buying and a slightly weaker yen in the currency market lifted Japanese exporters. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average traded mostly above the 10,000 threshold in the morning before ending the day at 9,963.99, up 31.09 points or 0.31 percent from Tuesday.
Feb 10 Japan Needs to Be More Flexible With Steel Mergers (BusinessWeek)
Japan's competition regulator needs to be more flexible on anti-monopoly rules to enable domestic steelmakers to compete with international rivals, a trade ministry official said. "The Fair Trade Commission needs to embrace a perspective of international competitiveness" when it considers mergers and tie-ups among Japanese steelmakers, Masaki Koito, director of the iron and steel division at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said in an interview on Feb. 5.
Feb 09 Japan looks good - but it's not time to invest there yet (moneyweek.com)
It's been a busy fortnight in the markets, with the rally running out of steam amid fears over Greece's debt problems. It's always risky to second-guess the markets over the short term. But my feeling for now is that this has the potential to turn into the big sell-off I've been expecting for months. Sentiment has shifted. Bad news is being seized upon and good news ignored. That doesn't worry me very much. A slump now will present us with better buying opportunities in a number of stocks.
Feb 09 Tokyo stocks slip on Europe woes and yen, but dip-buying trims losses (AP)
Tokyo stocks edged down Tuesday to a new two-month closing low on continued jitters about sovereign debt problems in Europe and the persistent strength of the yen, although losses were limited by support from dip-buying including of recall-mired Toyota Motor. After brief swings into positive territory, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 18.92 points, or 0.19 percent, from Monday at 9,932.90, its lowest closing level since Dec. 10 and extending its losing streak to four days.
Feb 08 Nikkei closes below 10,000 line for 1st time since Dec. 10 (AP)
Tokyo stocks fell sharply Monday, with the key Nikkei index closing below the 10,000 line for the first time since Dec. 10, as exporters were badly hit by a stronger yen relative to the U.S. dollar and euro. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 105.27 points, or 1.05 percent, from Friday to 9,951.82. The last time the Nikkei ended below the 10,000 threshold was Dec. 10 when it fell to 9,862.82.
Feb 05 Japan stock outperformance likely to peter out (moneycontrol.com)
Foreign investors have been snapping up Japanese shares at the fastest pace in two years, bargain-hunting blue-chips after the market lagged the rest of Asia in 2009, but the buying is unlikely to continue at this rate. Fund managers are bringing their portfolios closer to neutral on Japan after having been heavily underweight in 2009, pulling funds out of other Asian markets in the past few months. But once the initial rush is over, shares such as tech stocks are still seen in demand as investors target individual growth stories.
Feb 05 Nikkei tumbles to 2-month closing low on stronger yen, flight from risk (AP)
The key Nikkei stock index fell almost 3 percent Friday to its lowest close this year and barely hung above the 10,000 line, hurt by a sharply stronger yen while investors fled from risky assets amid disappointing U.S. jobs data and escalating debt jitters in Europe. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed at 10,057.09, down 298.89 points or 2.89 percent, to its lowest since Dec. 10.
Feb 04 Businessman given prison sentence, fine, record penalties (AP)
The Tokyo District Court on Thursday sentenced a businessman to two and a half years in prison for engaging in insider stock trading in connection with the 2006 takeover by former temp staffing agency Goodwill Group Inc., now known as Radia Holdings Inc., of another staffing agency. Isamu Nakao, 69, former chairman of a Goodwill Group subsidiary, was also given a fine of 5 million yen. In addition, the three-judge panel ordered Nakao to pay 1.53 billion yen in penalties over the illicit stock trading.
Feb 04 Japanese stocks end down (AsiaOne)
Japanese stocks closed down 0.46 percent Thursday, weighed by deepening concerns over Toyota Motor's mass safety recall while investors remained cautious ahead of a US jobs report. The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index fell 48.35 points to 10,355.98. The broader Topix index of all first-section shares lost 4.59 points, or 0.50 percent, to 911.09.
Feb 03 Tokyo stocks rise but gains capped as Toyota, Fast Retailing weigh (AP)
Tokyo stocks rose Wednesday on strong U.S. earnings and resource- linked advances on higher commodity prices, but overall gains were capped by sharp losses in major blue chips such as Fast Retailing and Toyota Motor. After brief dips into negative territory, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed up 33.24 points, or 0.32 percent, from Tuesday to 10,404.33.
Feb 02 Nikkei rises 1.6 pct on yen and Toyota (Reuters)
Japan's Nikkei average rose 1.6 percent on Tuesday, with Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) jumping after detailing plans of its fix for recalled vehicles, while exporters climbed on a weaker yen and strong U.S. manufacturing data. Resource-linked shares such as trading house Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T) gained ground after oil and gold settled up 2 percent on Monday as commodity markets started February on a steadier note after their worst fall in more than a year last month.
Feb 01 Narita IPO eyed to bail Kansai airport (Japan Times)
A key transport ministry panel is looking at assisting the debt-ridden operator of Kansai International Airport Co. in a way that is likely to be fiercely opposed by the Finance Ministry and local governments. A draft of the report, made available Saturday, proposes using the proceeds from Narita International Airport Corp.'s initial public offering later this year to bail out its Kansai counterpart, which is burdened by over ¥1 trillion in interest-bearing debt.
Jan 31 Japan's listed firms keep boosting profits (AFP)
Japan's listed companies saw their profits rise 14 percent in the October-December period for a third straight quarter-on-quarter gain, a newspaper survey showed Sunday. The survey, conducted by the leading business daily Nikkei, covered 438 non-financial firms that had released their October-December earnings reports by January 29. It excluded start-up markets. The earnings, in terms of pretax profits, represented a 120-percent gain from a year earlier to about 1.78 trillion yen (20 billion dollars), the Nikkei said.
Jan 30 M&A investment involving Japanese firms down 42% in 2009 (AP)
Mergers and acquisitions investment involving Japanese companies totaled 7.24 trillion yen in 2009, down 42.2 percent from the previous year to its lowest level since 2003, according to data compiled by M&A adviser Recof Corp. The number of M&A deals was 1,957 last year, down 18.4 percent and falling below 2,000 for the first time in six years.
Jan 29 Nikkei stock index falls to 6-week low (AP)
Japan's Nikkei stock index dropped to a six-week low Friday, pressured by a strong yen and fresh concern over the U.S. economic outlook as major technology firms gave disappointing forecasts. The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average lost 216.25 points, or 2.1 percent, to 10,198.04, the lowest finish since Dec. 21 when the index ended at 10,183.47. The Nikkei index fell 3.7 percent for the week. The broader Topix index fell 1.4 percent Friday to 901.12.
Jan 29 Property investment funds 'downbeat about Japan' (hedgeweek.com)
Commercial property investment funds have become increasingly downbeat about the Japanese market, new figures show. Statistics published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) showed that the market for the commercial property asset class became more active across 70 per cent of the world in the last three months of 2009.