Foreign Investors Increase Japan Stock Exposure

Hiruki Nakamura
13 Nov, 2014
New York City

Market indexes in Japan closed higher and the Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended gains to 11% in the month. Foreign investors added net 2 trillion yen of $17.3 billion of Japanese equities in the two weeks to November 7.

[R]4:30 PM Tokyo – Market indexes in Japan closed higher and the Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended gains to 11% in the month. Foreign investors added net 2 trillion yen of $17.3 billion of Japanese equities in the two weeks to November 7.[/R]

Stocks in Tokyo closed higher and the Nikkei surged ahead with foreign investors preferring to invest in the index than in the broader index of larger and smaller companies.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said revised industrial output in September climbed 2.9% sequentially, faster than the 2.7% estimate.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average jumped 195.74 or 1.1% to 17,392.79 and the broader Topix index gained 12.46 to 1,389.51.

The yen closed at 115.83 against one dollar.

Ministry of Finance said foreign investors purchased net of 2 trillion yen or $17.3 billion of Japanese stocks in the two-week period ending on November 7.

Stocks in Review

Japan Display Inc gained 0.9% to 329 yen after the mobile and tablet display screen maker said net sales in the first-half ending in September plunged 11% to 285.57 billion yen from 320.96 billion yen from a year ago period.

Net in the quarter swung to a loss of 27.79 billion yen compared to profit of 26.54 billion yen and loss per share swung to a 46.25 yen from earnings per share of 132.43 yen in the same period a year ago.

Chief executive officer Shuichi Otsuka estimated net loss of 12 billion yen in the full-year but said business in the second-half will be stronger from the European and U.S. clients.

NEXT Co., Ltd rose 0.7% to 685 yen after the online real estate information provider reported net sales in the second-quarter ending in September climbed 13.1% to 7.75 billion yen from 6.85 billion yen a year ago period.

Net income in the quarter declined 16.9% to 686 million yen compared to 826 million yen in the same period a year ago.

Recruit Holdings Co Ltd slipped 0.9% to 3,925 yen after the recruiting service provider reported net sales in the second-quarter ending in September soared 10.4% to 617.3 billion yen from 559.3 billion yen a year ago period.

Net income in the quarter dropped 4.1% to 28.4 billion yen compared to 29.6 billion yen and diluted earnings per share increased to 53.75 yen from 29.39 yen in the same period a year ago.

Tokuden Co., Ltd fell 1.9% to 255 yen after the aluminum casting parts maker said net sales in the first-half ending in September soared 13.2% to 4.20 billion yen from 3.71 billion yen from a year ago period.

Net income in the quarter surged 210.3% to 67 million yen compared to 21 million yen and earnings per share jumped to 8.40 yen from 2.71 yen in the same period a year ago.