(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].

Core Viewpoint - Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have established a multi-year agreement for exclusive streaming rights to Sony's films after their theatrical releases, enhancing Netflix's content library and providing Sony with a reliable distribution channel as streaming evolves consumer habits [1][2][4]. Group 1: Agreement Details - The agreement allows Netflix to become the exclusive streaming platform for Sony Pictures' films following their theatrical runs and video-on-demand releases [2]. - The rollout of this agreement will begin later this year, with full global availability expected by early 2029 [2]. Group 2: Early Titles and Content Strategy - Early titles included in the deal are "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse," "The Legend of Zelda," "The Nightingale," and four films about The Beatles directed by Sam Mendes [1][3]. - This deal provides Netflix with a consistent supply of studio films, which is crucial as the company increasingly relies on licensed content [4]. Group 3: Industry Context - The announcement coincides with Netflix's plans to acquire Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming assets in a $72 billion deal, indicating a significant shift in the competitive landscape [5]. - Sony's film catalog includes popular titles such as "Uncharted," "Anyone But You," "Venom: The Last Dance," and "It Ends With Us," further enhancing Netflix's content offerings [5].

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]