Profit at a Discount from Japan’s Long-term Growth

Article Excerpt

Japanese stock markets remain volatile along with global markets. As well, a slowing U.S. economy plus a continued rise in the yen in relation to the falling U.S. dollar would hurt Japan’s major export industries. However, overall, we think that Japan’s economy will keep growing and push stock prices up. JAPAN EQUITY FUND $7.39 (New York symbol JEQ; CWA Rating: Aggressive) invests mostly in large capitalization stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Lately, the fund has added to its holdings of firms selling to emerging markets, to offset exposure to the slowing U.S. economy. It has also upped its holdings of Japanese financial stocks. These have limited exposure to subprime-related securities. The Japan Equity Fund’s top holdings include: Toyota Motor, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial, Sony Corp., Denso Corporation, Mitsubishi Corp., Canon, East Japan Railway, Komatsu Ltd. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Japan Equity Fund is available for 9% less than the current value of its assets. Our long-standing advice is that you…