Core Insights - The unexpected victory of Sanae Takaichi as the new president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party signals the introduction of a new economic policy framework known as "Takaichi Economics" [1] - This policy is perceived as a continuation of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's "Abenomics," but with a stronger emphasis on fiscal expansion [1][3] - Market participants are closely monitoring the implications of this political shift on Japan's monetary policy, fiscal discipline, and yen exchange rate [1] Economic Policy Framework - "Takaichi Economics" is structured around three main pillars, reminiscent of "Abenomics" [2] - The first pillar focuses on enhancing national crisis management capabilities and promoting economic growth [3] - The second pillar advocates for expansionary fiscal policies, emphasizing the need to raise taxes and utilize existing government funds to avoid increasing Japan's national debt [3] - The third pillar clarifies that the government will be responsible for monetary policy, while the Bank of Japan retains autonomy in selecting specific policy tools [3] Central Bank Policy Outlook - The policy stance of Takaichi aligns with that of Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, both recognizing the current inflation as cost-push rather than demand-driven [4] - Nomura Securities maintains its forecast that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates in January 2026, with a potential pause thereafter [4] - However, there are uncertainties; a rapid depreciation of the yen or a stock market rally could lead to an earlier rate hike, while fiscal expansion could hinder rate increases [4] Yen Exchange Rate Outlook - The yen is expected to face short-term selling pressure, with the dollar-yen exchange rate potentially testing the critical level of 150 [5][6] - The sustainability of the yen's weakness will depend on Takaichi's public statements regarding the independence of the central bank [7] - Any signals perceived as attempts to curb or prevent interest rate hikes could lead to further depreciation of the yen [7] Upcoming Political Events - Takaichi is expected to be nominated as Prime Minister around October 15 [8] - A significant diplomatic event is the anticipated visit of U.S. President Donald Trump from October 27 to 29, focusing on trade agreements, including Japan's $550 billion foreign direct investment [8] - The new government is expected to draft a supplementary budget for fiscal year 2025 in late November, which will reveal the actual scale of fiscal expansion [8]

Core Insights - Crypto adoption is rapidly increasing in Japan, with Nomura Holdings aiming to expand its presence in the market through its subsidiary Laser Digital [1][2] - The transaction value in Japan's crypto market doubled to ¥33.7 trillion ($230 billion) in the first seven months of the year, indicating strong growth [2][6] - Supportive global policies and domestic reforms, including tax cuts and new regulations, are driving the momentum in Japan's crypto sector [3][5] Company Developments - Nomura's Laser Digital is collaborating with Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) to obtain approval for offering crypto trading services to large investors [1][7] - Laser Digital's CEO, Jez Mohideen, emphasized the company's confidence in the long-term potential of Japan's digital asset market [2] - The subsidiary was launched in 2022 to provide services such as asset management and venture capital [6] Market Trends - The Japanese crypto market experienced a 120% increase in on-chain transaction value from June 2024 to June 2025, surpassing other countries like South Korea, India, and Vietnam [6] - Traditional financial institutions, such as Daiwa Securities, are beginning to integrate crypto into their services, allowing customers to use Bitcoin and Ether as collateral for loans [4][5] - Government reforms have made investing in crypto more attractive, particularly for younger investors and large institutions [5]

Core Insights - Nomura Holdings (NMR) and Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) are both considered by investors in the Financial - Investment Bank sector, with a focus on determining which stock offers better value [1] Valuation Metrics - Both NMR and HOOD currently hold a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook due to favorable analyst estimate revisions [3] - NMR has a forward P/E ratio of 9.44, significantly lower than HOOD's forward P/E of 89.21, suggesting NMR is more undervalued [5] - The PEG ratio for NMR is 3.52, while HOOD's PEG ratio is 5.10, indicating NMR's expected earnings growth is more favorable relative to its valuation [5] - NMR's P/B ratio stands at 0.87, compared to HOOD's P/B of 15.76, further highlighting NMR's undervaluation in terms of market value versus book value [6] - Based on these valuation metrics, NMR is assigned a Value grade of A, while HOOD receives a Value grade of F, indicating a significant difference in perceived value [6] Conclusion - Despite both companies having solid earnings outlooks, NMR is identified as the superior value option based on the discussed valuation figures [7]

Core Viewpoint - Nomura Holdings is planning to enhance its global interest rate and currency trading operations, anticipating that increased market volatility will drive demand for these services [1] Company Strategy - The company aims to capitalize on the expected rise in market volatility by expanding its trading operations [1] Market Outlook - A senior executive at Nomura Holdings expressed confidence that the current market conditions will lead to higher demand for interest rate and currency trading [1]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1][2]. Company Overview: Nomura Holdings (NMR) - Nomura Holdings currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating potential as a solid momentum pick [3][12]. - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), which is associated with a strong track record of outperformance [4]. Performance Metrics - Over the past week, NMR shares increased by 1.07%, while the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry remained flat [6]. - In the last month, NMR's price change was 3.62%, outperforming the industry's 3.31% [6]. - Over the past quarter, NMR shares rose by 18.63%, and over the last year, they increased by 42.72%, compared to the S&P 500's gains of 8.31% and 17.5%, respectively [7]. Trading Volume - NMR's average 20-day trading volume is 428,619 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [8]. Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, one earnings estimate for NMR increased, while none decreased, raising the consensus estimate from $0.76 to $0.77 [10]. - For the next fiscal year, one estimate has also moved upwards with no downward revisions [10].

Core Viewpoint - Nomura's chief economist Andrew Ticehurst expects the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to announce a hold on the official cash rate, likely with unanimous support, indicating a shift towards a less dovish stance compared to August's communication [1] Economic Indicators - Recent data shows stronger GDP growth, a low unemployment rate, and signs of rising inflation [1] - The RBA's forecast suggests a quarter-on-quarter increase in core CPI of approximately 0.65% for Q3 and Q4, while Ticehurst anticipates a higher increase of 0.95% for Q3 [1]

Company Overview - Dhoot Transmission Ltd. is an automotive-parts manufacturer backed by Bain Capital, with a 49% stake held by Bain after an investment in January [2][5] - Founded in 1999 and based in Maharashtra, India, Dhoot produces electronic sensors, automotive switches, cords, and cables for various vehicles and appliances [2][5] - The company operates manufacturing plants not only in India but also in the UK, Slovakia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea [2][5] IPO Details - Dhoot Transmission Ltd. is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) in Mumbai, expected to raise approximately $250 million [1][5] - The IPO is likely to include a fresh issue of shares and secondary sales by existing investors, with a potential valuation of up to $1.5 billion [1][5] - The company has appointed four banks, including Axis Bank Ltd. and Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., to facilitate the IPO [5] Market Context - Over $10 billion has been raised in Indian IPOs this year, marking a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [5] - Notable IPOs this year include HDB Financial Services Ltd. and Hexaware Technologies Ltd., each raising over $1 billion [5]

Group 1 - The current market is pricing in multiple interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, indicating a slightly lower threshold for hawkish surprises compared to dovish ones [1] - The Federal Reserve is likely to maintain a cautious communication approach and will not disclose too much information [1] - Economic forecasts and press conferences may emphasize that any rate cuts are precautionary, with a gradual approach to policy easing [1]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the economic situation in China, focusing on inflation trends, particularly Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) dynamics, as well as the implications of the anti-involution campaign on the economy [1][2][10]. Core Insights 1. **CPI and PPI Trends**: - August CPI recorded a deflation of -0.4% year-on-year, down from 0.0% in July, which was below market expectations [1][4]. - PPI deflation improved to -2.9% year-on-year in August from -3.6% in July, aligning with market expectations [1][7]. 2. **Food Prices Impact**: - The decline in CPI was largely driven by food prices, which fell to -4.3% year-on-year in August from -1.6% in July [5][11]. - Major contributors to negative food inflation included pork (-16.1%), vegetables (-15.2%), and eggs (-12.4%) [6][11]. 3. **Non-Food Price Resilience**: - Non-food prices showed some resilience, with inflation rising to 0.5% from 0.3% in July, supported by higher oil and gold prices [1][5]. 4. **Future Expectations**: - CPI is expected to remain negative at -0.2% year-on-year in September, with some support from food prices due to upcoming holidays [3]. - PPI deflation is anticipated to ease to -2.2% year-on-year in September, driven by a lower base from the previous year [3]. 5. **Economic Challenges**: - The anti-involution campaign may not effectively reflate the economy due to multiple anticipated demand shocks and lack of substantial demand-side catalysts [2]. - Local governments' excessive investment in manufacturing may not be contained, potentially leading to overcapacity issues [2]. Additional Important Points 1. **Sector-Specific Insights**: - The improvement in PPI deflation was concentrated in upstream sectors, while factory-gate prices for durable goods continued to deteriorate [1][8]. - The ongoing trade-in program has led to significant price cuts in various sectors, impacting overall demand [2]. 2. **Market Dynamics**: - The recent stock market rally may provide new funding opportunities for corporations in overcapacity sectors, which could further complicate the economic recovery [2]. 3. **Government Policy Implications**: - The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) noted that improved competition in domestic markets has led to a narrowing of price declines in several industries, indicating potential regulatory impacts on pricing strategies [10]. 4. **Inflation Contributions**: - Core CPI inflation, excluding food and energy, edged up to 0.9% year-on-year in August from 0.8% in July, indicating some underlying inflationary pressures in services [5][11]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights and data points discussed during the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current economic landscape in China, particularly regarding inflation and its implications for various sectors.

Core Insights - The article highlights the successful completion of the Nomura Information Technology (Shanghai) 2025 Summer Internship Program, emphasizing the growth and learning experiences of the interns during their two-month tenure [1]. Group 1: Internship Experience - Interns reported significant personal and professional growth, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the financial IT industry, teamwork, and workplace dynamics [3]. - Key takeaways from the internship included technical skill enhancement, particularly in managing access permissions in high-security environments, and the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world projects [4]. - The importance of teamwork and communication was underscored, with interns learning to think more rigorously and engage proactively with colleagues to ensure system stability [4]. Group 2: Company Culture - Nomura's culture is characterized by a balance of professionalism and openness, with a strong emphasis on IT stability and security throughout the internship [7]. - The supportive team environment facilitated quick adaptation for interns, with colleagues and mentors readily sharing their experiences and insights [7]. - The company culture promotes a high degree of freedom for employees, provided that work quality and deadlines are met [7]. Group 3: Preparation for Transitioning to the Workplace - Transitioning from university to the workplace requires preparation in three key areas: mastering professional knowledge and practical tools, adopting a responsible and proactive mindset, and gaining practical experience through internships or projects [8]. - A shift in thinking is necessary, as the workplace has less room for error compared to academic settings, necessitating a focus on teamwork and basic workplace communication etiquette [8].