MAXIS Nikkei 225 Index Fund

• Headwinds for Chinese Equity Bourses

  By Peter Pham - April 21, 2013 | Tickers: FXI, NKY, SPY

  The selective tightening policy of the Chinese central bank has created headwinds for economic growth retarding the ability of the Chinese stock market to gain traction. The Chinese equity markets have experienced a methodical decline over the past 2-years, with minor corrections that have provided investors hope that the bear market has come to an end. Domestic investors have a few investment options other than real estate which has driven more »

• A Blowout for Honda

  By Peter Pham - August 27, 2012 | Tickers: F, HMC, NKY, ^NI225, TM

  A couple of months ago we profiled Honda’s (NYSE: HMC) return to form after having to process the twin disasters of the tsunami as well as the flooding in Thailand.   The release of their 2^nd quarter earnings confirms that the Japanese vehicle manufacturer is continuing to strengthen their position in the ever-changing market for cars and trucks. 

  Honda posted quarterly profit of 131.7 billion yen ($1.7 more »

• Japan and the Fiscal Oil Slick

  By Peter Pham - July 2, 2012 | Tickers: EWJ, NKY, BNO

  While the Federal Reserve plays a dangerous game of chicken with the E.U. over who is going to fund the bailout and restructuring of Europe’s finances, while at the same time trying to bring Iran, Russia and China to heel with threats of sanctions for China and Iran and falling oil and ruble prices for Russia, Japan quietly sits back and allows the Yen to appreciate in the more »

• A Leader in Asia

  By Peter Pham - June 25, 2012 | Tickers: CARZ, HMC, NKY, TM

  Suzuki may only sell 25,000 cars and 50,000 motorcycles a year in the U.S., but around the world it sells more than 5.6 million vehicles.  They’ve never been a big player in the U.S. for a variety of reasons, most notably that they shipped OEM versions of other people’s cars here.  In recent years, however, that has changed with them importing their very more »

• Slow the Bloat To China

  By Peter Pham - June 25, 2012 | Tickers: HBC, FXI, EWA, NKY, WYNN |

  According to the IMF, China’s contribution to global economic growth has increased to an average of 31% from 2010-2013, up from just 8% in the 1980s, making it the world’s largest single contributor to global GDP. China’s GDP growth in Q1 2012 was 8.1%, a three-year low.

  With the Eurozone on the brink and the US still treading water, the world is again looking to China more »

• Greece’s Election Results and the Singapore Dollar

  By Peter Pham - June 21, 2012 | Tickers: FXE, EWS, NKY, SPY

  Sunday’s elections in Greece resulted in what has been described as the best possible outcome for the Euro.  The pro-bailout, pro-Euro New Democracy party pulled out a narrow victory over SYRIZA, while PASOK secured enough potential MPs to allow a tenuous coalition government to be formed that will re-open negotiations with the Troika on new bailout terms.  The election results weren’t certified before there were murmurs out of more »

• The Energy Knot

  By Peter Pham - June 20, 2012 | Tickers: FXY, NKY, IPW, BNO

  To say it’s been a challenging 15 months for Japan’s energy sector would be to engage in the very highest form of understatement.  First the tragedy over Fukishima and then the ramping up of war rhetoric over Iran’s nuclear program by the U.S. and Israel have made the first year of Prime Minister Noda’s tenure a near nightmare.

  On Friday he announced that the first more »

• Marco Pivot Point

  By Peter Pham - June 4, 2012 | Tickers: FXY, TLT, NKY, BNO |

  There are a number of advantages to having a strong currency but short-term export growth is not one of them.  Japan is at an interesting crossroads as the events in Europe play out.  The strong appreciation of the Yen versus both the U.S. Dollar and the Euro is obviously making it difficult for Japan to goose net exports via currency devaluation.   So far they have resisted further easing to more »