(Refiles to fix Reuters Instrument Code) By Sam Nussey TOKYO, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Nintendo shares slid 11% on Wednesday as investors fretted about momentum ​for its flagship Switch 2 gaming device. The Kyoto-based gaming company on Tuesday ‌reported robust sales for the Switch 2 during the year-end shopping season, though the system is ‌viewed as lacking high-profile game titles to drive demand. The "Super Mario" maker kept its annual net profit forecast at 350 billion yen ($2.24 billion), lower than a ...

Core Insights - The investment environment in 2025 was challenging, with foreign equity markets achieving their best returns in over a decade, while the International Growth Composite Portfolio finished the year essentially flat due to a market preference for cyclically sensitive businesses [8][11]. Portfolio Performance - The International Growth Composite Portfolio's performance was -2.21% for the quarter and 0.68% year-to-date, compared to the MSCI ACWI (ex-USA) which returned 5.05% for the quarter and 32.39% year-to-date [5]. - Top contributors to the Portfolio's performance included Tokyo Electron, ASML, and Shopify, while the largest detractors were Monday.com, MercadoLibre, and SAP [13][17]. Company-Specific Insights - **Tokyo Electron**: A leading player in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, expected to grow revenues at a high single-digit rate and increase operating margins from 25% in 2024 to 35% in the medium term, driving mid-teens earnings growth [14]. - **ASML**: Benefiting from investor optimism around AI, as its equipment is essential for advanced chips, which are critical for AI applications [16]. - **Monday.com**: Despite strong results, the stock sold off due to concerns over near-term growth slowdown, but revenue growth is expected to sustain over 20% as it expands its market reach [18]. - **MercadoLibre**: The largest e-commerce platform in Latin America, experiencing a decline in stock price due to a slight decrease in operating margin while investing in growth initiatives [19]. - **SAP**: Despite cloud revenue growth exceeding expectations, the stock faced pressure due to market conditions, but is viewed as resilient with a strong market position and high recurring revenues [20]. Portfolio Activity - New position established in **Nintendo**, which is expected to see significant growth following the release of the Switch 2, with anticipated earnings growth of 30% annually over the next few years [23]. - Positions in **Teleperformance** and **Siemens Healthineers** were eliminated due to ongoing business challenges, reallocating funds to invest in Nintendo and Tencent [25][26]. Market Outlook - The outlook for the Portfolio remains positive, with expectations of benefiting from structural trends such as technology shifts and growth in emerging markets like India [27].

Company Retention and Knowledge Transfer - Nintendo has an impressive employee retention rate of 98%, with Japanese employees averaging 15 years at the company, significantly higher than the average tenure in Japan (11 years) and the U.S. (4 years) [1] - The long tenure of employees allows for the transfer of institutional knowledge, with key figures like Shuntaro Furakawa and Shigeru Miyamoto having decades of experience at Nintendo [2] Innovation and Adaptability - Despite the risk of becoming stagnant due to reliance on institutional knowledge, Nintendo successfully combines this knowledge with fresh ideas, allowing for a continuous pipeline of innovative games [3] - The company has faced its share of failures but maintains a competitive position in the video game industry against larger rivals like Sony and Microsoft [3] Positive Employee Sentiment - Former employees of Nintendo express positive sentiments about their experiences, highlighting the opportunity to work with talented designers and learn valuable lessons in game design [4] - This goodwill may stem from Nintendo's stable work environment, which contrasts with the industry's typical volatility [4] Unique Business Approach - Nintendo continues to create games in a manner distinct from its competitors, emphasizing its unique approach to game development [5]

Core Insights - Nintendo's net profit surged by 85% in the first half of the fiscal year, reaching 198.9 billion yen ($1.3 billion) compared to 108.6 billion yen the previous year [1][3] - Sales for the same period more than doubled to nearly 1.1 trillion yen ($7.1 billion) from 523 billion yen in the prior year [2][3] - The company raised its full fiscal year profit forecast to 350 billion yen ($2.3 billion) from an earlier estimate of 300 billion yen ($1.9 billion) [3] Financial Performance - The net profit for April-September was 198.9 billion yen ($1.3 billion), an increase from 108.6 billion yen the previous year [1] - Sales increased to nearly 1.1 trillion yen ($7.1 billion) from 523 billion yen in the same period of 2024 [2] - Nintendo's profit forecast for the full fiscal year through March 2026 was raised to 350 billion yen ($2.3 billion) [3] Product Performance - Nintendo sold over 10 million units of the Switch 2 by the end of September, with an increased sales forecast to 19 million units from 15 million [3] - Popular games for the Switch 2 include "Mario Kart World" and "Donkey Kong Bananza" [3] - Sales of the older Nintendo Switch have declined, but game sales remain strong due to compatibility with the Switch 2 [3] Market Outlook - Analysts anticipate strong earnings for Nintendo during the upcoming holiday season, supported by new game releases in the Pokemon and Kirby franchises [4] - Despite a steady rise in Nintendo stocks over the past year, there was a 0.8% decline on Tuesday [4]

[Musica] Buon pomeriggio a tutti. Io sono Massimiliano. Molti di voi, chi non lo so, mi conosce come Seva Gamer e sono un mi piace chiamarmi divulgatore videoludico, in sostanza parlo dei videogiochi, e ho 45 anni.Perché specifico che ho che ho 45 anni. Perché è un problema, non per me ovviamente, ma per molte persone è un problema. Immaginate, chiamiamolo Faustino.Faustino è un uomo di circa 50-60 anni, sta sul suo eh divano a scorrere Instagram, a scorrere TikTok e gli capita un mio video. Lo guarda e in ...

Music in Film & Media - Programmatic music, aiming to tell a story through instrumental music, often falls short due to music's abstract nature [1][2] - Music's impact is subjective, varying based on individual experiences and contexts, unless external context is provided [2][3] - Soundtrack can consist of original compositions or pre-existing music, with context alteration [4] The Composer's Role - A film's music is considered its soul, requiring careful selection and integration [4][5] - Effective film music often operates invisibly, enhancing the scene without drawing undue attention [6] - Composers must prioritize the scene's needs over showcasing their music, ensuring harmony between sound and visuals [7][8] Technical Aspects of Film Scoring - Scoring involves adapting to the scene's emotional shifts, potentially altering tempo and time signatures [10][11][12] - Key musical themes are strategically placed throughout a scene, including introductions, emotional turning points, and climaxes [13] - The creative process blends technical skill with intuition, balancing artistic expression with the scene's requirements [14][15]

Core Viewpoint - Nintendo's newly launched Switch 2 console has generated significant consumer interest and excitement, leading to a record high in the company's stock price and a substantial increase in market capitalization [1][2]. Sales Performance - Nintendo sold 3.5 million units of the Switch 2 within the first four days of its launch, indicating strong demand [3]. - The company has forecasted sales of 15 million units for the fiscal year ending March 2026, although analysts believe this estimate may be conservative [3]. Stock Market Impact - Nintendo's shares have increased by 46% this year, adding approximately $39 billion to the company's market value [2]. - Since the launch of the original Switch in March 2017, Nintendo's stock has surged nearly 470%, resulting in an increase of over $81 billion in market capitalization [6]. Historical Context - The original Switch console, launched in 2017, has sold over 152 million units, making it Nintendo's second-most successful console [4]. - The hybrid nature of the Switch, allowing for both TV and portable play, has contributed to its popularity [4]. Strategic Advantages - Nintendo has leveraged its strong franchises, including Super Mario, Zelda, and Pokemon, to enhance the success of its consoles [5]. - The company has also expanded its intellectual property into movies and theme parks, further boosting its core video game products [5].