iShares MSCI South Korea ETF

According to KGI, Apple Watch (AAPL) sales will fall more than 25% in 2016. KGI forecasts sales of 7.5 million units in 2016 compared to estimated sales of 10.6 million units in 2015.

Japan’s import and export dynamics The below graph provides a clearer picture of the import and export dynamics of the Japanese economy. By using 2005 as a base year and adjusting for inflation or deflation, the graph shows how exports and imports have changed on a “real” basis, as opposed to a “nominal” basis. Viewing […]

Malaysia’s trade surplus jumped to 9.9 billion Malaysian ringgit (MYR) (about $2.3 billion as of August 11, 2017) in June 2017—an 80% rise YoY.

A change in yen appreciation? The below graph reflects a potential big change in Japan post-2012—has yen appreciation turned the corner as a result of post-2012 “Abenomics“? In the mid 1970’s, the U.S. dollar bought 300 yen, and by the mid-1980’s, the U.S. dollar bought 250 yen. By the end of the 1980s, the dollar […]

Two business strategies that Micron can use to beat competition include innovating processes that reduce costs and developing next-generation products.

Residential investments in Japan The below graph reflects the ongoing decline in the rate at which residential investments are being made in Japan. As with other forms of fixed investment noted earlier in this series, Japan has seen a long-term decline in the housing market since the peak of the economic bubble, which was accompanied […]

Taiwan’s economy rose by 0.7% on an annual basis in 2Q16—compared to a contraction of 0.29% in the previous quarter and slightly above estimated forecasts.

This article considers the prospects for further real GDP growth acceleration and the implications for Japanese exporters like Toyota.

Australia’s ASX200 lost marginally today. Although the index was trading higher until noon, it erased those gains afterward. 70 stocks gained, while 118 fell. BHP Group (BHP) outperformed the index with marginal gains, while Rio Tinto (RIO) gained 0.64%.

EA’s FIFA franchise remains one of the leading games worldwide. It has approximately 42 million players on console platforms PlayStation (SNE) and Xbox (MSFT).

The sharp rise and fall in the price of bitcoin are mainly because ownership of the currency is heavily concentrated in just a few hands.

Stock markets around the world rallied in 2017. Asian equities, in particular, grabbed investors’ attention in 2017, as they have been outperforming other markets.

Among the 35 OECD countries, the US has the highest corporate tax rate of 35%. This tax rate puts US companies at a disadvantage compared to their foreign rivals.

Exports from Indonesia (EIDO) in June 2017 stood at $11.6 billion, a fall of 11.8% on a year-over-year basis and 19% on a month-over-month basis.

Business confidence in the manufacturing sector in South Korea (EWY) has remained stable at 78 in July 2017.

South Korean equities are soaring in 2017, with the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (or KOSPI), its benchmark index, reaching an all-time high of 2,451.5 in July 2017.

Under Kim Jong-Un, North Korea has adopted a more aggressive stance toward its regional adversaries, fueling unprecedented tension in the region.

China’s (FXI) imports rose to $153.8 billion in June 2017, a 17.2% rise year-over-year (or YoY) and a 2% rise month-over-month.

Chinese (FXI) exports stood at $196.6 billion in June 2017, a rise of 11.3% year-over-year basis and a rise of 8.7% month-over-month.

Apple (AAPL) had a market share of 14.9% in the global Smartphone market at the end of 1Q17. Apple’s market share in 1Q16 was 15.4%.

Several external factors are expected to impact Indonesia’s economy in 2017. The US government’s protectionist stance is expected to influence global trade.

South Korea’s (EWY) inflation rate rose to 2% in May 2017 as compared 1.9% in the previous month.

A higher allocation to Asia could certainly provide diversification benefits to investors while enhancing their risk-adjusted returns.

The EAFE Index provides exposure to slow-growing developed markets while disregarding Asia’s fast-growing markets (FXI) (INDA).

For the last three decades, Asia has posted higher economic growth than any other region of the world.

Qualcomm (QCOM) has been and continues to be the preferred choice of dividend-seeking investors because of its strong balance sheet and rich cash flows.

South Korea’s monetary policy committee kept the benchmark interest rate unchanged at a record low of 1.3%—in line with expectations.

The official manufacturing PMI for China, published by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, came in at 49.9 for July—slightly below June’s reading of 50.

On a quarterly basis, the advance GDP for Singapore rose by 0.8%, marginally below estimated forecasts of 0.9%.

Given the diversity it can provide due to its composition, Asia makes a compelling investment destination for investors who are looking for growth.

Through its foundry business, Samsung provides chip manufacturing services to companies such as Qualcomm (QCOM), NVIDIA (NVDA), and Apple (AAPL).

South Korea–based (EWY) Samsung (SSNLF) is making efforts to boost revenue and maintain a double-digit margin amid slowing smartphone sales.

Micron’s strategy for coping with competition is to reduce its manufacturing costs. It currently has higher manufacturing costs than Samsung and SK Hynix.

In 1990, Japan led the semiconductor industry, with six companies named in the top ten semiconductor sales leaders. In 2014, only two companies made the list.

After memory chips, LEDs comprise the second most produced semiconductor products in South Korea. The country accounts for ~13% of the global LED market.

A fabless company only focuses on chip designing and a foundry focuses on manufacturing the chips designed by fabless firms.

According to IDC, YoY growth in worldwide semiconductor revenues should slow from 7.1% in 2014 to 3.6% in 2015. Semiconductor revenues are estimated to reach $389.4 billion in 2019.