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International Monetary Fund: Global Economy to Slow Down in 2015
In this series, we’ll look at the International Monetary Fund’s expectations for economic growth around the world, and we’ll explore how these projections might affect your investments.
The EWJ ETF Fell Ahead of Bank of Japan Meeting
The EWJ ETF is an indicator of the Japanese equity market. On October 27 it fell by 0.80% from the previous trading session, ahead of the Bank of Japan’s meeting.
How the Hennessy Japan Fund Investor Class Fared in September 2015
The Hennessy Japan Fund (HJPNX) dived by 8.2% in September from the previous month—the worst performer in September among the nine funds we’re reviewing.
Growth in Japanese Housing Starts Slowed in July 2015
Japanese housing starts rose in July 2015, but their pace slowed compared to a month ago. Housing starts rose by 7.4% in July compared to a year ago.
Japanese Yen Rose on Positive GDP Numbers
The Japanese yen gained early on December 8, 2015, as GDP (gross domestic product) figures were upwardly revised.
Banking Stocks Dragged Down EWJ for the Second Straight Day
To understand what drove EWJ and what pulled it down on November 27, 2015, it’s important for investors to analyze the performance of the various industries in EWJ that day.
Analysis of the iShares MSCI Japan ETF and Its Top Performers
An analysis of the iShares MSCI Japan ETF will tell us about more about its Volatility, showing the fluctuation in periodic returns from average returns.
DXJF Crosses below Its 20-day Moving Average on October 30
DXJF is the only ETF to provide exposure to Japanese financial stocks. Trading activity in the DXJF fund has been scarce, with only a few thousand shares trading hands each day.
Investment-Grade Bond Funds Saw Inflows Last Week
Flows into investment-grade bond funds were positive last week. Investment-grade bond funds saw net inflows of $907.1 million during the week ending July 6.
Why the High Volatility of the Japanese Yen in Recent Months?
The US dollar–Japanese yen currency pair has been one of the most volatile developed country currencies in the past six months. The Japanese yen saw heavy appreciation in August.
Amada Holdings Was EWJ’s Top Stock, Upgraded by Mitsubishi UFJ
On Monday, December 7, 2015, the stocks at the top of the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) were Amada Holdings, Mixi, and TDK.
DXJF Is in a Bearish Trend
On December 11, 2015, DXJF closed at $25.57. This was below its 100-day, 50-day, and 20-day moving averages of $27.71, $27.39, and $27.47, respectively.
EWJ’s Sectoral Composition and Industry Performances
The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) fell 0.08% from the previous day to close at $12.50 on October 26 ahead of the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy review on Friday, October 30.
Banking Stocks Dragged down EWJ on November 25
Leading Japanese banking companies like Sumitomo Mitsui and Mizuho declared that they would realize investment gains by selling stock holdings on their latest earnings.
Japanese Financial ETF DXJF Is in a Bearish Trend in 2016
The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials (DXJF) seeks to provide exposure to the Japanese financial sector.
88% of EWJ’s Holdings Close above Their 50-Day Moving Averages
On November 13, 2015, 76% of the holdings of the iShares MSCI Japan ETF closed above their 100-day moving averages as compared to 67% on November 12.
Moving Average Analysis of EWJ’s Banking Industry
On December 31, 2015, the banking industry of the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) returned -0.4%. The Wisdom Tree Japan Hedged Equity ETF (DXJ) fell by 1%.
Why Has CIGRX Delivered Below-Average Returns?
The Calamos International Growth Fund – Class A (CIGRX) seems to be cautious about its portfolio positioning for now.
Bank of Japan Surprised the Markets with a Negative Interest Rate
The US dollar-Japanese yen currency pair is inversely related to the Japanese yen. It rose to a high of 121.68 after the BoJ’s (Bank of Japan) monetary policy.
How Japan’s Fiscal Policies Can Help Achieve Its Economic Goals
Prime Minister Abe’s administration initially achieved coordination between the Bank of Japan’s QQE and fiscal stimulus.
Key Highlights of Japan’s QQE with Yield Curve Control
The Bank of Japan will set two interest rates: a short-term policy rate and an operating target for long-term interest rates. These rates will serve as guidelines for market operations.
Why Has QQE Failed to Raise Inflation in Japan?
As Kuroda pointed out, the primary reason inflation hasn’t risen in Japan is what he calls the deflationary mindset—the view that prices will not rise.
Why CIGRX Delivered a Below-Average Performance
The Calamos International Growth Fund – Class A (CIGRX) has been a below average performer in 2016 year-to-date among the 12 funds chosen for this review.
What Are the BoJ’s Projections for Economic Activity in Japan?
The Bank of Japan gave its economic outlook after the monetary policy meeting on July 29. The weak data are due to the slowdown in emerging economies.
Volatility in the Japanese Yen before the BoJ’s Meeting
The Japanese yen gained strength during mid-July due to growing uncertainties surrounding the BOE’s (Bank of England) monetary policy.
Why Has the Matthews Asia Dividend Fund Done Well in 2016 So Far?
2016 year-to-date has been great for the Matthews Asia Dividend Fund – Investor Class (MAPIX).
How Healthcare Has Helped MJFOX So Far in 2016
The Matthews Japan Fund – Investor Class (MJFOX) rose 0.3% in the first four months of 2016, placing it third among the nine funds in this review.
HJPNX: How It’s Changing Its Portfolio in 2016
Industrials, consumer discretionary, healthcare, and consumer staples form the core of HJPNX. These four sectors combine to form 72% of the portfolio.
Healthcare Stocks Save the Day for CNJFX
Financials were the biggest negative contributors to CNJFX’s total returns in the first four months of 2016.
How Has the AB International Growth Fund Performed?
The AB International Growth Fund is invested in companies like Roche Holding (RHHBY), Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), ING Groep (ING), TAL Education Group (XRS), and Tata Motors (TTM).
A Portfolio Scan of the Matthews Japan Fund (MJFOX) in 2015
The Matthews Japan Fund – Investor Class (MJFOX)adopts a bottom-up approach to constructing portfolios. This means that it looks at companies with acceptable valuations that are expected to do well in the future, rather than specific industries.
At Long Last, the Matthews Asia Dividend Fund (MAPIX)
The Matthews Asia Dividend Fund focuses on income and aims “to provide a level of current income that is higher than…Asian equity markets.”
How Is the Japanese Yen Gaining Strength?
The US dollar to Japanese yen currency pair, which is inversely related to the Japanese yen, had a remarkable week beginning Monday, February 1, 2016. It fell from close to 121 to a low of 115.
A Portfolio Scan of the Hennessy Japan Fund (HJPNX) in 2015
The Hennessy Japan Fund – Investor Class (HJPNX) was managing $128 million in assets at the end of December 2015.
The Reasons for the Poor Showing by Fidelity Japan Fund in 2015
The Fidelity Japan Fund (FJPNX) did not have a good 2015 as its stock picks from the information technology and materials sectors did badly during the year.
Toshiba Tops EWJ’s Performance
On January 4, 2016, Toshiba (TOSBF) was the top performer of the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ).
Japanese Yen Expects a Strong Start in 2016
The BoJ made it clear that a strong yen isn’t something that it wants. The expectations of a strong yen are mainly due to the economy.
Japanese Yen Gains against the Dollar after BoJ’s Policy Release
The US dollar-Japanese yen currency pair is inversely related to the Japanese yen. It fell by more than 1% on December 18 after the BoJ’s monetary policy.
Japanese Yen Rose Slightly Due to Safe-Haven Demand
The Japanese yen was trading with a slightly stronger bias against the US dollar on December 14, 2015. Investments increased in the safe-haven currency.
Russia versus Turkey and the Demand For Safe-Haven Currencies
The rise of geopolitical tension in Syria Today, on November 24, with Turkey shooting down a Russian plane near the Syrian border, meant that there was again demand for safe-haven currencies.
Fukuoka Financial Group Led EWJ, Toyota Lagged
Fukuoka Financial Group returned 2.8% on November 19, 2015. Moody’s, the global credit rating agency, upgraded the bank’s outlook to positive in September 2015.
EWJ: Why Are Most of the Holdings Moving towards an Uptrend?
On November 18, 75% of the portfolio holdings of the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) closed above their 100-day moving averages—up from 66% on November 17.
Japanese Yen Strengthens as BoJ Keeps Monetary Policy Unchanged
The US dollar to Japanese yen currency pair fell by 0.59% on November 19. The pair fell to a low of 122.6, before closing the day at 122.9.
Japanese Yen Fell Due to the Disappointing GDP
The US dollar-Japanese yen currency pair rose nearly 0.8% on November 16. The currency pair reached a high of 123.3 before closing for the day at 123.2.
The Japanese Yen Rises as the Bank of Japan Holds Further Easing
The Japanese yen rose versus the US dollar on October 30, 2015, as the Bank of Japan kept rates unchanged at 0.1%.
The Hennessy Japan Fund Investor Class (HJPNX): Historical Overview
The Hennessy Japan Fund Inv Class seeks “long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks of Japanese companies” and has 22 holdings as of September.
Japanese Yen Rallies, Offsetting Lask Week’s Plunge
The Japanese Yen rallied against the US dollar on October 27, 2015, after a massive fall in the currency last week.
How Did the Components of EWJ Perform?
The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) is a well known US-traded ETF that provides exposure to Japanese equities.
Why Does Japan Need to Focus on Productivity Growth?
For Japan, a major obstacle to the productivity growth in the economy is still its demographics. The median age in Japan is 46 years.
How Does the Macroeconomic Picture of Japan Look?
Policymakers and investors have been worried about Japan’s debt burden becoming unmanageable. The International Monetary Fund noted that Japan’s debt could near 300% of its GDP mark by 2030.
Bank of Japan Maintains Ultra Eased Monetary Policy
Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda kept the rates unchanged at 0.1% in the monetary policy statement announced on Friday.
Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Issuance Hits Near 3-Month High
Investment-grade corporate bonds worth $55.4 billion were issued in the primary market in the week ended July 17, 2015. The number of issuers rose to 20 from 17 in the previous week.
Why the G20 thinks that structural reforms are important
Usually governments are reluctant to pursue structural reforms. The reforms are difficult and complex to undertake. They can face stiff opposition.
