Fidelity Japan Share Discussion Threads

[knowing] 04/7/2007 19:09

Time to buy more ? Interest is picking up nicely.

[knowing] 04/7/2007 10:55

Chart is not showing a true picture.Starting to get more interest at present.

[knowing] 02/7/2007 21:58

July 2 (Bloomberg) -- Japanese stocks advanced for a third day, led by trading companies such as Mitsui & Co., after the price of oil climbed to a 10-month high and a brokerage gave the company its most bullish recommendation.

[knowing] 02/7/2007 21:56

ANALYST COMMENT: Global Rally To Push Nikkei Toward 20,000 Nikkei

[knowing] 02/7/2007 15:37

Maybe buyers have decided this is now oversold.

[knowing] 02/7/2007 11:38

Looking perky today.

[knowing] 02/7/2007 11:17

Tokyo shares end morning narrowly mixed; Tankan fails to provide lead - UPDATE


TOKYO (Thomson Financial) - Share prices ended the morning session little
changed, after the Bank of Japan's June quarter Tankan survey came in as
expected, showing little real change in business sentiment among big
manufacturers from March.
The blue-chip Nikkei 225 Stock Average ended the morning session down 17.74
points, or 0.10 pct, at 18,120.62, off a low of 18,062.49 and a high of
18,139.04.
The broader-covering TOPIX index was up 2.50 points, or 0.14 pct, at
1,777.38, off a low of 1,770.30 and a high of 1,777.60.
Gainers beat decliners 910 to 654 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's first
section, with 161 issues flat.
An estimated 863 mln shares changed hands, up from 824 mln Friday morning.
Business confidence among Japan's large manufacturers was steady in the
second quarter, after a decline in the first, according to the results of the
Tankan survey released just before the opening bell.
The diffusion index of sentiment among large manufacturers was plus 23 last
month, unchanged from March. Economists had forecast, on average, that this
index would come in at plus 23.
The large non-manufacturers' diffusion index came in at plus 22, in line
with the average forecast.
The absence of fresh trading incentives prompted some investors to lock in
gains after prices had risen late last week on window dressing activity by
foreign investors seeking to spruce up their portfolios ahead of the end of the
first half of the year.
"Profit-taking was inevitable following the technical rises Friday. With all
the key scheduled events (data, the Tankan) since late last week now out of the
way, the Nikkei is likely to trend higher this week, possibly testing
18,400-18,500 points," said Hiroichi Nishi, an equities information manager at
Nikko Cordial Securities.
Some bargain hunting was seen on dips as investors generally expect the weak
yen to help exporters achieve better-than-forecast earnings in the current
fiscal to March 2008.
Among losers in the limelight, shares of Japan's largest department store
operators, Takashimaya and Mitsukoshi, both fell after they separately reported
year-on-year declines in fiscal first quarter to May earnings.
Takashimaya slumped 27 yen or 1.74 pct to 1,529 while Mitsukoshi dropped 9
yen or 1.46 pct to 608.
Among counters in the news, Isuzu Motors rose 22 yen or 3.29 pct to 690,
with Hino Motors up 9 yen or 1.22 pct at 746, on the back of a Nikkei business
daily report that the two truckmakers will jointly develop technology for
cleaning up emissions from diesel engines. The move is designed to enable them
to compete more effectively against European and U.S. rivals, the report said.
Toyota Motor which has stakes in the two truckmakers ended the session flat
at 7,880.
Asahi Breweries slipped 14 yen or 0.73 pct to 1,897 on the back of a report
that the brewer may post current profit of 27 bln yen in the first half to June
30, down

[knowing] 01/7/2007 23:49

Tokyo shares seen retesting 7-year high as first-half gains may extend


TOKYO (Thomson Financial) - The Tokyo stock market is expected to extend its
first-half gains into the second half, propelling the benchmark Nikkei 225 index
toward 20,000, its highest level in seven years and more than 10 percent
above the close on Friday.
In a continuation of trends seen in the first half, the industrialization of
the so-called BRIC countries
-- Brazil, Russia, India and China -- and a firm economic outlook in other parts
of the world are
expected to encourage investors to buy shares of exporters, while concerns about
the strength of
domestic demand remain, analysts said.
In the first half, Hitachi Zosen, Japan Steel Works and Sumitomo Metal
Mining enjoyed the biggest percentage gains among Nikkei components as investors
eyed growing demand in the BRIC countries and greater Asia for industrial
materials and cargo transportation.
Those gains helped power the blue-chip market gauge to a 5.3 pct gain to
18,138.36 on Friday from
17,225.83 on December 29, its last trading day in 2006.
Not all stocks took part in the rally. Shinsei Bank, Casio Computer and Sky
Perfect JSAT suffered the steepest percentage declines, hit by earnings worries.
The Nikkei touched a seven-year closing high of 18,240.30 on June 21, after
overcoming the global stock market turmoil triggered by a sharp sell-off in the
Chinese market in late February. The steep decline on the Shanghai stock
exchange caused the Nikkei to shed its year-to-date gains and sent it to a March
5 closing low of 16,642.25, a full 8.6 pct below the February 26 close of
18,215.35.
For the rest of the year, the Nikkei is likely to advance further into
territory not seen since mid-2000, as the benefits of a weaker yen are felt,
boosting investor confidence in the export-oriented Japanese economy, analysts
said.
"The market will probably trend higher to a little above or below 20,000 on
the Nikkei by the year-end. This is based strictly on the condition that the yen
stays near current levels and thereby leads to the upgrading of earnings
projections by major exporters," said Hiroyuki Fukunaga, strategist at Rakuten
Securities.
The dollar has climbed to just below 124 yen in recent sessions, up almost
eight yen from its March level with half of the four-month gain coming after
Japanese companies had hammered out earnings projections that were based on an
outlook for a firmer yen.
By sector, producers of steel and other industrial materials, as well as
shipping companies and shipbuilders, are expected to remain investor favorites
in light of strong demand from BRIC countries and broader Asia.
"Steel makers and marine transporters are best placed to benefit from
surging demand in such emerging countries as China. Nippon Steel and Mitsui OSK
Lines, the leaders of these sectors, are a must to have in portfolios," said one
trader at a European asset management firm.
Nippon Steel has forecast that its revenues would expand 11 pct to 4.76 trln
yen in the current fiscal year. Mitsui OSK has forecast an 8 pct rise in
revenues to 1.70 trln yen in the year to March 2008.
Shares of carmakers, such as Toyota Motor, may also gain in popularity as
the yen weakens, raising hopes that these companies that are heavily dependent
on offshore demand may beat the earnings projections made in April and May,
analysts said.
A weak yen buoys the yen-converted value of earnings received in foreign
currencies.
Shares of high tech companies, on the other hand, may not enjoy as much
investor interest despite their deep ties to demand abroad, as they are faced
with stiffer competition from players in not only the US and Europe but also
Asia, analysts said.
Bridgestone, the world's largest tire maker, on Wednesday lifted its
earnings guidance for the year to
December, attributing its improved outlook to the weaker-than-expected yen so
far this year, as well as surprisingly firm sales in the US.
Analysts said Bridgestone's announcement is the first sign of the impact the
weak yen is having and bodes well for all the carmakers, the major constituents
of the Nikkei index.
"There is a possibility that the yen's recent weakness may lift earnings
sharply" at carmakers, while their business fundamentals have also improved,
thanks partly to the increasing weight of China and other emerging markets, said
Shinya Naruse, a car-sector analyst at Nomura Securities.
Rising gasoline prices have made fuel-efficient cars popular, and this
should also help Japanese carmakers escape much of the impact of softer demand
in the US where top Japanese carmakers generate roughly 60 pct of their
operating profits, he said.
The Nomura analyst on Wednesday lifted his investment recommendation on the
auto sector to bullish from neutral, and said car shares are broadly undervalued
at current levels.
But although most analysts are bullish on the stock market, they caution
that political uncertainty may pressure the Nikkei towards 17,500 or slightly
lower before the upper house election on July 29.
"The election, along with a probable rate hike by the Bank of Japan, is the
most significant event when looking at the market's prospects through the
year-end," said the trader at the European asset manager.
Investors are wary that the vote may sap Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling
Liberal Democratic Party and drag on the government's efforts to reform the
Japanese economy.
Reforms have been a key market driver in recent years. The Nikkei began its
advance in October 2005 when the Parliament passed a bill to privatize the
postal services, a plan proposed by Abe's predecessor, the reformist prime
minister Junichiro Koizumi. At that time, the Nikkei was trading around 13,000.
"If a loss by the LDP in the vote removes foreign investors' hopes in
Japan's chances to reform, they may unload the holdings built in positive
response to the passing of the postal services reform bill. That would be a
major pressure on the market," Rakuten's Fukunaga said.
The lack of a steady recovery in consumer demand may continue to be a source
of concerns for investors as it has been for the Bank of Japan which aims to
"normalize" its super low interest rates.
Even so, investors expect the central bank to raise its overnight call rate
target by 25 basis points to 0.75 pct after the election, most likely in August.
"Share prices have factored in the possibility of one rate hike this year,
while uncertainties remain on chances of a second move," said Tsuyoshi Segawa,
strategist at Shinko Securities.
Investors will monitor closely the effects of one or two rate hikes on the
economy and on the yen, analysts said.
The best timing to launch into buying will be around September if a possible
August rate hike fails to spark the active unwinding of yen carry trades, which
would cause the yen to strengthen again.
"An upgrading of earnings projections by carmakers and other exporters in or
around September
will trigger the buying spree which I expect to send the Nikkei rising towards
its highs for the year,"
Rakuten's Fukunaga said.

(1 usd = 123.21 yen)

[knowing] 28/6/2007 19:39

Monday, June 25, 2007 9:24:49 AM ET
J.P. Morgan Securities

LONDON, June 25 (newratings.com) - Analysts at JP Morgan say that the Japanese economy is set to outperform due to a combination of both cyclical and structural factors.

In a research note published this morning, the analysts mention that a global manufacturing rebound is around the corner. The performance of the Japanese economy is expected to improve going ahead in view of the high positive correction of the nation's relative performance with key manufacturing indicators, the analysts say. Japanese financials are cyclical, and a rising loan deposit ratio, normal yield curve and appreciating land prices are expected to result in an outperformance in the financial sector, JP Morgan adds.

[knowing] 28/6/2007 19:38

Wednesday, June 27, 2007 11:30:00 AM ET
newratings.com

LONDON, June 27 (newratings.com) – Japan's May retail sales rose unexpectedly for the first time in eight months, according to data published by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Wednesday.

The ministry said May retail sales rose 0.1% year-over-year. April retail sales were down 0.7% year-over-year. Consumer spending makes up 55% of the Japanese economy. The ministry added that the biggest contribution to the growth came from the food and beverages sector, which grew 1.7% year-over-year. Auto sales fell 4.5% year-over-year.

[gb904150] 22/6/2007 20:00

worth mentioning that the exchange rate at around 250Y:£1 is at a resistance point not breached since around 1992 (when we dropped out the ERM and commenced a spiral that saw the £ lose about 1/3 its value.

[cyborg27] 22/6/2007 18:45

You could be right, but things may not improve much until the Yen starts rising, making Japanese equities look more attractive to foreigners. If the Yen reverses, foreigners pile in, and smaller companies come back into vogue, these could double over a few months - it's happened before - but don't bank on it either!

[knowing] 22/6/2007 16:03

Could we see a quick run upto the mid 70s now.

[knowing] 21/6/2007 14:50

Asia: Nikkei at 7-year best
Thu 21 Jun 2007

LONDON (SHARECAST) - The Nikkei closed at its highest in seven years Thursday as higher DRAM chip prices sent the electronics sector north, while news of a technology licensing deal had steelmaker Kobe Steel in the blue.

Nippon Steel was also in demand, as were Elpida Memory and Toshiba, helping the leading index add 28 points to 18,240.

Some dealers reckon Tokyo could go higher still on optimism ahead of the Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan corporate sentiment survey on 2 July.

In economic news, Japan's merchandise trade balance yielded a surplus of 389.53 bln yen in May, up 9.3 pct from the year-earlier surplus of 356.32 bln, the Ministry of Finance said.

The May surplus came in below market expectations as economists had been projecting a trade surplus of 445.1 bln yen, on average.

Hong Kong hit another record high thanks to China's decision to allow mainland fund managers and brokers to invest client funds in overseas securities as part of its qualified domestic institutional investor (QDII) program.

The expected inflow of funds helped Hong Kong overcome last night's triple digit slide on Wall Street, with the Hang Seng jumping 240 points to 21,925.

Dealers say this could see mainland funds attracted to the region's equity market.

Property issues such as Cheung Kong and Sun Hung Kai built gains, while China Mobile also joined in the advance.

[knowing] 20/6/2007 21:54

GB check the links in the header of the "FUND" page which may help your search.

[nikolaos17] 17/6/2007 17:10

Japan has been my great disappointment ater almost doubling my money in 2004/5
SInce then with weaknes of yen it was one big downturn.
FJV is a great disappointment now at 66p bought at 80p
and switched most to JFJ which somehow moved 15p up in 2 days to 236p.
It looks at last a double bottom and I hope we see sustain upturn soon which as normal with these stocks will be sudden and unnoticed

[knowing] 15/6/2007 16:11

Could be. i'm hoping for a very strong Nikkei/Topix monday.

[sir josephs mate] 15/6/2007 11:09

iS that a double bottom?

[knowing] 15/6/2007 10:41

ANALYST COMMENT: Nikkei At 18,500 Next Month, 19,000 By Year-End Nikkei Interactive 18:38

[cyborg27] 11/6/2007 08:57

Just bought some more of these as the company is buying back, and the discount could reduce quite quickly soon.

[coincall] 08/6/2007 09:14

Knowing,

There's your 250000 purchase for the 7th June!

Fidelity Japanese Values PLC announces that on 7 June 2007 the Company
repurchased 250,000 of its own shares for cancellation at a price of 65.932
pence per share. The total number of ordinary 25p shares now in issue is
97,957,453.

[sir josephs mate] 08/6/2007 06:05

OUCH!!!!


HANG SENG -302.82 -1.46% 20,499.68
NIKKEI 225 -306.99 -1.70% 17,746.39

[knowing] 07/6/2007 16:35

Then a large sell.