This post is part of Japan: A Special Report for Investors.

"Although some people may think it inappropriate, our job is to make readers aware of opportunities as they occur," says Glenn Rogers.

The contributing editor to Internet Wealth Builder explains, "Invariably, every major crisis creates such opportunities although they may only be suitable for aggressive investors. This one is no different.

"The question is: where to begin? Usually the best place to start is by looking at some of the securities that were hardest hit by the big sell-off that followed the disaster.

Continue reading Japan: Opportunities from Crisis

Japan: Opportunities from Crisis originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of Japan: A Special Report for Investors.

"The list of those hurt financially by the earthquake include the Japanese government (so don't buy Japan's government bonds), insurance companies (who will make up their losses through higher future premiums) and the unfortunate Japanese people themselves," says Martin Hutchinson.

The contributing editor to Money Morning explains, "Of course, even among listed companies, there will be some losers. Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TKECY), or TEPCO, is the unfortunate owner of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.

Continue reading Japan: Contrarian Buys from Autos to Housing

Japan: Contrarian Buys from Autos to Housing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of Japan: A Special Report for Investors.

"Following the earthquake in Japan, the Nikkei 225 Index lost 18% in just 3 trading days, a worse decline than even the crash of 1987; the behavior of the iShares MSCI Japan Index ETF (EWJ) looks like a selling climax has occurred," says Marvin Appel.

The editor of Systems & Forecasts explains, "After a fast decline, the market bounced on unusually heavy volume. In this particular case, EWJ opened on March 15 with a loss of 7%. However, by the close, all of this loss was recouped on exceptionally heavy volume.

Continue reading Japan: iShares MSCI Japan Index ETF (EWJ)

Japan: iShares MSCI Japan Index ETF (EWJ) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Few people know exactly how long it will take Japan to recover and rebuild, nor the full impact of the destruction in the world's third-largest economy," says Louis Basenese.

The contributing editor to Investment U advises, "In the short term, expect volatility to be the norm; but if you're a long-term investor there are reasons for bullishness:

"First, Japan is cheap. Even before the earthquake hit, Japan was one of the world's cheapest markets with the average stock on the TOPIX trading at a price-to-book ratio of 1.0 -- a 56% discount to the average U.S. stock.

Continue reading Japan: A Special Report for Investors

Japan: A Special Report for Investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Market Timer Says It's Time to Buy Japan

Market Timer Says It's Time to Buy Japan originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Sector Guru Focuses on India and Japan

Sector Guru Focuses on India and Japan originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Japan: The World's Cheapest Market?

Japan: The World's Cheapest Market? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Writing from Japan, while speaking at an economic conference, Mark Skousen looks to opportunities in Japan's stock market for his latest buy.

In his top notch trading service, The Hedge Fund Trader Alert, he says, "Surveying the landscape in Japan, two things are perfectly clear: the market and the currency here are both extremely cheap."

"The Nikkei 225 reached 40,000 back in 1989. Today, almost 20 years later, it is around 12,600 -- more than two-thirds lower.

"The yen also is cheap, due in part to ultra-low interest rates. Many international investors are playing a dangerous game, borrowing money in yen at low rates and lending it out in other currencies at higher rates in order to earn 'the spread.'

"This works fine until the yen begins to surge. Then there will be massive buying of the Japanese currency, as traders rush to cover their bets. That day is not here yet. But when it arrives, we may see one of the most dramatic currency surges ever witnessed in modern financial markets.

"A jump in the yen, however, would not be good for Japan's largest companies. Most of them -- such as Toyota, Honda, Sony, Canon and Mitsubishi -- are major exporters.

Continue reading Mark Skousen seeks "Wisdom" from Japan

Mark Skousen seeks "Wisdom" from Japan originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Will the 'Land of the Rising Sun' ever rise again?" asks Mike Burnick in Global Market Investor. "From a valuation perspective, Japan is a real bargain; in fact, half its stocks trade below book value." Here is his review.

"First, let's cover the bad news; Japan's economy is slowing right now, just like the U.S. and Europe. Consumer spending is slumping worse than in the U.S. In other words, the domestic economy looks dismal. But at the same time, Japan's exports are booming, businesses are flush with cash, and industrial production is running strong.

"The reason is that Japan is an economy in transition, for years they counted on exports to the U.S. and Europe, but today China is becoming its most important trading partner. Exports to China jumped nearly 14% in November, as overall exports expanded 10%. That's why a slowdown in the U.S. and Europe may not hurt Japan as much as some people think.

"What was already one of the world's cheapest markets just went into deep-discount territory last year. In fact, half the stocks listed in Tokyo now trade below book value. In other words, the share price is less than the stock's per share net worth - that's unheard of in developed markets.

Continue reading Japan: 'High yields; bargain prices'

Japan: 'High yields; bargain prices' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"My favorite, and more conservative investment idea for 2008 is Japan -- specifically, the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (ASE: EWJ)," says Mike Burnick, editor of Global Market Investor.

"Japan has been one of the most out-of-favor major industrial stock markets over the past two years, yet corporate profits are growing at a fast pace, thanks to a robust export market. Japan's proximity to China certainly helps in this regard, as Japan has become a key exporter to China, as well as other emerging Asian nations.

"From a valuation perspective, Japan appears to be the most undervalued major market in the world right now. Many blue-chip Japanese banks and industrial firms sell at book value or even less then book.

"Meanwhile, bonds typically yield more than stocks, to compensate investors for the lack of appreciation potential in bonds. However, in Japan today the normal stock/bond risk/reward relationship is turned upside-down.

Continue reading Best Stocks for 2008: Global expert goes with Japan ETF (EWJ)

Best Stocks for 2008: Global expert goes with Japan ETF (EWJ) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The land of the rising sun may be the investor's best bet as a land of rising stock prices, according to a trio of leading advisors.

Japan's current economic expansion is now over 60 months and running, making it the longest expansion in that country in the postwar period according to global advisor expert Carl Delfeld. He says, "Investors should not underestimate Japan's potential - it may be the best growth story in Asia."

The editor of Chartwell Advisor explains, Japanese stocks took a breather in 2006 -- rising 5.5% -- after gaining 35% in 2003, 15% in 2004 and 25% in 2005.

Despite these gains, he notes that the Japanese market is still 60% below its 1989 peak. Is it time to catch up? He says, "Investors should not underestimate Japan's potential - it may be the best growth story in Asia."

Indeed, while many see Xhina as the more exciting growth play, he says, "Japanese companies have long tentacles in emerging Asia, with especially strong networks in Southeast Asia. Plus, in Japan, there is a mountain of cash sitting on the sidelines. Even if just a small amount moves into equities, it will ignite some handsome returns."

Among individual stocks, he likes Kyocera (NYSE:KYO), a large multinational with products and markets that span electronics, fiber optics, and wireless. For broad exposure to the Japanese market, he recommends the iShares Japan ETF (ASE:EWJ), which tracks the MSCI Japan index, which is made up of 350 companies.

Continue reading Global trio turns to Japan

Global trio turns to Japan originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.