Maya Patel

MoU between Chugai, SoftBank and SB for joint research using generative AI

Chugai Pharmaceutical, SoftBank Corp and its subsidiary, SB Intuitions have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct joined research aimed at innovating clinical development processes in new drug development using generative AI. The MoU, effective January 30, 2025, aims to make substantial improvements in the productivity of clinical development processes and accelerate new drug development.

February 03, 2025 at 02:02 pm IST

Leadership changes in Sony to enhance long-term growth story

Sony Group has announced the appointment of Hiroki Totoki as its Chief Executive Officer, with effect from April 1, 2025. The announcement made on January 29, 2025, states that the group is pivoting to a new management structure to support its long-term growth. Totoki will succeed Kenichiro Yoshida, who will continue to be the Chairman of the company.

January 31, 2025 at 06:28 pm IST

First half growth fueled by ongoing demand for Sohgo Security

Sohgo Security Services released its 1HFY25 results on November 6, 2024. Net sales increased 6.9% YoY to JPY263.2bn, aligning with consensus estimates. Following the announcement, the company’s stock price reacted strongly, rising over 6% on November 7 to reach a high of JPY1129.5.

January 31, 2025 at 10:22 am IST

Guidance upgrade for MIURA driven by acquisition and demand for marine boilers

MIURA has updated its FY25 guidance on the back of strong demand for marine boilers from customers outside Japan. The revision in guidance was further made to include the revenue of the acquired Cleaver-Brooks, Inc. in May 2024. As a result, the company now anticipates revenue to be JPY257bn, compared to prior guidance of JPY175.5bn.

January 30, 2025 at 01:57 pm IST

Terumo launches its Injection Filter Needle under INFINO

Terumo announced the global launch of the Terumo Injection Filter Needle on January 15, 2025. This marks an initial step of the INFINO? development program. Indicated for hypodermic as well as for intravitreal injections, the Injection Filter Needle features an integrated polyamide 5-micrometer mesh filter to prevent particles from being injected.

January 29, 2025 at 04:58 pm IST

Strong fundamentals drive guidance revision for SECOM

SECOM Co., Ltd. has revised its guidance upwards for FY25, tracking its strong performance in 1HFY25 and aided by favourable industry trends. The revised guidance, released on November 8, 2024, along with first-half results, now anticipates consolidated sales of JPY1.2tn, operating income of JPY140.8bn and a net income of JPY104.6bn.

January 28, 2025 at 05:22 pm IST

Azbil Corporation’s JPY15bn buyback program gains pace

Azbil has announced its plans to repurchase its own stock to the value of JPY15bn or 24mn shares from November 26, 2024, to March 24, 2025. The company further plans to invest treasury shares worth approximately JPY10bn in human capital and cancellation of approximately JPY5bn of treasury shares. Accordingly, the company repurchased 1.95mn shares for JPY2.39bn in December 2024.

January 28, 2025 at 04:07 pm IST

Netwealth Group reports record net FUA inflows in December

Netwealth has reported Funds under Administration (FUA) of AUD24bn in the December 2024 ended quarter, compared to AUD18bn registered in the prior corresponding period. The rise in FUA was aided by record-level net FUA inflows of AUD4.5bn during the period. The group also reported an increase in total number of accounts to 151,437 during the period end, from 132,826 a year earlier.

January 27, 2025 at 07:34 pm IST

Acquisition of JASTEC to complement JEOL’s growth strategy

JEOL reached an agreement to acquire all shares of Japan Superconductor Technology from Kobe Steel on November 22, 2024. With their expertise in the manufacture and sale of superconducting wires and magnets, Superconductor Technology will add significant value to JEOL by strengthening its development and production systems, and overall competitiveness. Notably, the transaction was expected to be finalised by January 6, 2025.

January 24, 2025 at 06:41 pm IST

TSMC’s new U.S. plant unlikely to get first access to latest tech

TSMC has updated that its new plant in the U.S. is unlikely to get first access to the latest and most advanced chip technology, which would be rolled out in factories in Taiwan initially. The company’s CEO has cited complex compliance issues, local construction regulations and various permitting requirements in the U.S. for the delay in implementation of the latest tech.

January 23, 2025 at 06:22 pm IST

Meituan partners with Walmart for express delivery in China

Meituan has collaborated with U.S. retailer Walmart to launch an express shopping service in mainland China. The announcement, made on December 17, 2024, states that all of Walmart China’s Stores are now listed on the Meituan platform. Moreover, the partnership allows for the delivery of items within 30 minutes.

January 22, 2025 at 07:12 pm IST

Hindustan Zinc reports record metal production in third quarter

Hindustan Zinc announced its production numbers for 9MFY25 on January 2, 2025. Mined metal production increased 1% YoY in 9MFY25 to 784kt, supported by improved mined metal grades and mill recovery. Refined metal production was also highest at 783kt during the period, rising 3% YoY, aided by better plant availability and operational parameters. Within refined metal production, refined zinc production grew 3% to 613kt, and lead production surged 4% to 170kt.

January 21, 2025 at 08:33 pm IST

MOU between Japan Exchange and Authentic Indication

JPX has signed a MOU with Authentic Indication, K.K. to enhance the execution environment for block trades through the provision of Indication of Interest (IOI) services. This platform allows investors to gauge demand for block trades discreetly, without revealing their own interests to the market.

January 20, 2025 at 07:43 pm IST

Share buybacks signal positive management view for Kikkoman

Kikkoman Corporation has provided an update on its share buyback plan on January 6, 2025. Accordingly, the company has repurchased 3.9mn shares during the period October 25, 2024, to December 31, 2024, representing 0.42% for JPY6.7bn. The buyback is a part of the program to acquire up to 11mn shares or 1.15% of outstanding shares, worth JPY15bn by FY25 end.

January 17, 2025 at 04:25 pm IST

Bharat Electronics strengthens order book through recent wins

Bharat Electronics, in a recent exchange release on January 13, 2024, announced that it has secured additional orders worth INR5.6bn, since its last disclosure on December 23, 2024. The latest order inflow, comprising a range of defence and electronics equipment, bolsters the current FY25 order book to INR103.6bn.

January 16, 2025 at 07:10 pm IST

Tokyo Electron revises guidance aided by WFE market recovery

Tokyo Electron has revised its FY25 estimates upwards and expects to significantly outperform market growth, driven by a recovery in the Wafer Fab Equipment (WFE) market, and strong demand for AI-related devices. The company now expects FY25 net sales of JPY2,400bn, compared to previous forecasts of JPY2,300bn; operating income of JPY680bn, from JPY627bn; and net income of JPY526bn, from JPY478bn. The company announced the revision in 2QFY25 release published on November 12, 2024.

January 15, 2025 at 06:21 pm IST

Fast Retailing’s share price slides despite solid results

Fast Retailing announced its 1QFY25 results on January 9, 2025, reporting strong increases in revenue and profit. However, the company’s shares tanked by over 6% the following day, owing to muted performance in Mainland China, Hong Kong and the Taiwan market. Nevertheless, analysts hold a favourable view of the company and expect net sales to register a CAGR of 9.2% over the period FY24-27 to reach JPY4,037.7bn.

January 14, 2025 at 06:22 pm IST

Nitta Mold acquisition by Asahi Intecc to boost design capabilities

Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd. announced its decision to acquire all 980 shares of Nitta Mold Co., Ltd. on November 14, 2024. The acquisition would aid the parent in product design support activities, and would also support molding and assembly, thereby stabilizing the Group’s supply of products.

January 13, 2025 at 06:13 pm IST

Surge in stock prices post first half results for Nitto Denko

Nitto Denko released results for 1HFY24 on October 28, 2024. The company’s performance overpassed estimates, as a result of which the stock price surged by 3.2% from the day’s lows to settle at JPY 2,434.5 on October 28. The stock sustained its momentum on the following day and increased further by 3%. Since the declaration of the H1 results, the stock has delivered total returns of around 11% till date, indicating bullish sentiments amongst investors.

January 10, 2025 at 05:55 pm IST

FTSE All-World Index addition and earnings boosts Lotes Co. shares

Lotes Co was added to FTSE All-World Index on September 22, 2024. Post the inclusion, the stock has been on an uptrend, registering its all-time high of TWD2,015 on December 5, and delivering returns of over 34% till date. Price surge was also supported by positive 3QFY24 results, which witnessed a revenue enhancement of 24.9% YoY to TWD8.1bn, while EBITDA increased 27.4% YoY to TWD3.3bn, with margins rising to 40.9% despite higher R&D and SG&A expenses. Consequently, net income grew 10.2% YoY to TWD2.1bn.

January 09, 2025 at 09:01 pm IST

Organo Corporation shares surge following positive outlook

Organo Corporation (Organo) has revised its guidance for the second time in a row for FY25 (ending March 2025). The company published the new guidance on November 1, 2024, and now expects orders of JPY170bn (up from the original guidance JPY155bn), and revenue of JPY165bn, up from the original guidance of JPY155bn and 1QFY25 guidance of JPY160bn. Investors reacted positively to the news, with the share price jumping over 14% the next day and increasing by around 28% since the announcement.

January 07, 2025 at 08:22 pm IST