In our latest Asia Monthly, we discuss the performance of major Asian credit indices and review UST curve movements in January 2026. We also provide a recap of major news and macroeconomic releases, including those from the US, China, India, Indonesia and Japan. In addition, we summarise the top/bottom performers, recent USD bond issuances and rating actions in Asian corporate credit, as well as a list of our recent research. The Asia Monthly publication serves to keep investors updated on ...
Japan’s Generative AI app market accelerated sharply in 2025, led by AI Assistant apps, with downloads up +126% YoY and in app purchase (IAP) revenue surging 329% YoY. ChatGPT dominated the category, ranking No.1 among GenAI apps by both downloads and IAP revenue. It is also the top non game app by downloads in Japan. Despite rapid adoption, domestic developers remain under represented, creating a strategic opportunity for ecosystem embedded players. Analyst Thao Nguyen highlights Rakuten as a b...
Rakuten’s AI strategy has evolved from experimentation to generating tangible impacts. Analyst Thao Nguyen explains what distinguishes Rakuten from both global and domestic peers and the firm’s commitment to provide AI for everyone and how that translates into earnings.
In our inaugural Asia Monthly for 2026, we share our regional credit outlook for the year, with a focus on China, Macau, India and Indonesia. We also provide a review of 2025, in which we discuss the performance of major Asian credit indices and review UST curve movements for the year. In addition, we provide a recap of major news and macroeconomic releases in December 2025, summarise the Top/Bottom performers, recent USD bond issuances and rating actions in Asian corporate credit, as well a...
2025 was another tougher year for the Japanese incumbents; with KDDI and SoftBank rising modestly and NTT flat, but all (including Rakuten) underperforming a strong Nikkei. This despite prices rising in Mobile. We think the sector is modestly undervalued and will grind higher with EPS. SoftBank remains our top pick.
In our latest Asia Monthly, we discuss the performance of major Asian credit indices and review UST curve movements in November 2025. We also provide a recap of major news and macroeconomic releases, including those from the US, China, India, Indonesia and Japan. In addition, we summarise the top/bottom performers, recent USD bond issuances and rating actions in Asian corporate credit, as well as a list of our recent research. The Asia Monthly publication serves to keep investors updated on ...
KDDI posted better trends following a modest Q1. Revenue was 1% ahead while EBIT inflected to growth. Management has also given more clarity on the EBIT growth going into 2H, expecting a 10% growth based on its unchanged guidance which is in line with consensus. Softbank Corp remains our preferred pick in Japan, followed by KDDI and NTT.
In our latest Asia Monthly, we discuss the performance of major Asian credit indices and review UST curve movements in October 2025. We also provide a recap of major news and macroeconomic releases, including those from the US, China, India, Indonesia and Japan. In addition, we summarise the top/bottom performers, recent USD bond issuances and rating actions in Asian corporate credit, as well as a list of our recent research. The Asia Monthly publication serves to keep investors updated on d...
In our latest Asia Monthly, we discuss the performance of major Asian credit indices and review UST curve movements in September 2025. We also provide a recap of major news and macroeconomic releases, including those from the US, China, India, Indonesia and Japan. In addition, we summarise the top/bottom performers, recent USD bond issuances and rating actions in Asian corporate credit, as well as a list of our recent research. The Asia Monthly publication serves to keep investors updated on...
For almost three years the Nikkei 225 has been tracking its performance from the 2003~5 bull market, albeit at levels some 3.3x higher In this report, Pelham Smithers discusses the similarities and asks three key questions: (1) Can we continue to track 2005 through the rest of the year; (2) Whatever happens in Q4, should we fear or be hopeful for 2026? And (3) Who are the upcoming winners and losers.
In our latest Asia Monthly, we discuss the performance of major Asian credit indices and review UST curve movements in August 2025. We also provide a recap of major news and macroeconomic releases, including those from the US, China, India, Indonesia and Japan. In addition, we summarise the top/bottom performers, recent USD bond issuances and rating actions in Asian corporate credit, as well as a list of our recent research. The Asia Monthly publication serves to keep investors updated on de...
Revenue trends were steady as the softer mobile growth was offset by improvement in non-mobile. Softbank remained the outperformer, but this has already been baked in as expectations for Group revenue are sitting ahead of guidance by 3%.
Q2 was a mixed bag as both revenue and EBITDA accelerated and are tracking well against the full year expectations, however, net losses were higher YoY than expected on tax and delinquency charges for Rakuten Card (~¥4.9bn), higher tax and minority interest and lower net finance income.
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