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

"The Japanese market was already among the most beaten down in the world, even before the earthquake; the Nikkei 225 stock index now has has presented investors with some bargains," notes global specialist Nicholas Vardy.

The editor of The Global Bull Market Alert explains, "Our latest recommendation is based on an expected bounce in the Japanese stock market through one of its biggest and most liquid stocks, Toyota Motor Corp. (TM).

Continue reading Japan: Toyota Motor Corp. (TM)

Japan: Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 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.

"It's during times of panic and uncertainty that investors are able to get the biggest advantage because other investors are running for the sidelines 'waiting for things to settle down'," says value investor Charles Mizrahi.

The editor of Hidden Values Alert suggests, "When valuing a company, you're not trying to guess what the company will do over the next few days or weeks.

"Instead, you are trying to value it based on what they will be doing over the next few years or decades.

Continue reading Japan: Five Value Ideas

Japan: Five Value Ideas originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

"Uranium and nuclear power stocks are the most directly impacted by events in Japan. In my view, this isn't the time to sell uranium plays," says Elliott Gue, who continues to recommend Cameco Corp. (CCJ), the leading uranium mining company.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "Investors looking for a road map of what's likely to transpire over the next few weeks should recall the Macondo Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in late April 2010.

Continue reading Japan: Stay Bullish on Cameco (CCJ)

Japan: Stay Bullish on Cameco (CCJ) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

"Japan's tsunami has struck worldwide," says Richard Moroney, the editor of Dow Theory Forecasts, which has maintained a model portfolio of blue chip stocks for over 50 years.

Here, he reviews a number of the top buy recommendations in the newsletter's portfolios to determine the potential risk posed by the recent tragic developments in Japan.

Stocks cited as "Focus List Buys" are are those issues that the service expect to significantly outperform the market over the next 12 months.

Continue reading Japan: Dow Theory's Blue Chip Portfolio Review

Japan: Dow Theory's Blue Chip Portfolio Review originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

"Without underestimating the magnitude of the tragedy and human suffering following the earthquake in Japan, we recommend investors buy into Japan amid the current market weakness," says Yiannis Mostrous.

The Asian stock expert and editor of Global Investment Strategist explains, "The tragic earthquake in Japan has roiled markets, but the country's long-term strength remains intact. This is a good time to establish long-term positions in some of Japan's best companies, such as Mitsubishi Corp. (MSBHY).

Continue reading Japan: Mitsubishi Corp. (MSBHY)

Japan: Mitsubishi Corp. (MSBHY) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:30:00 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.

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

"Tokyo-based Mizuho Financial Group (MFG) is Japan's second-largest bank in terms of total assets," notes Paul Tracy.

The editor of High Yield International suggests, "Banks are typically considered cheap when they trade at a discount to their underlying book value and Mizuho currently trades at just 0.7 times book.

"The past two decades have not been kind to the Japanese banking industry, though the leading financials have been restructuring successfully.

Continue reading Japan: Mizuho Financial Group (MFG)

Japan: Mizuho Financial Group (MFG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 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.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Aflac (AFL) represents a top year-ahead pick based on its solid operating momentum and modest valuation," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts explains, "In our proprietary ranking system (known as Quadrix), the stock earns an Overall score of 99.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Aflac (AFL)

Top Picks 2011: Aflac (AFL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Japanese stocks are the elephant in the room as President Obama visits the Asian democratic countries, among them Japan," says international stock expert Vivian Lewis.

The editor of Global Investing highlights two favorite Japanese stocks for investors comfortable buying individual shares: Hoya (HOCPF) and Makita Corp. (MKTAY).

Continue reading Global Experts' Favorite Japanese Stocks

Global Experts' Favorite Japanese Stocks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:10:00 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.

"When I'm bargain hunting I will always keep in mind two things. First, why is the stock trading at a discount? Second, can the company recover? If the company can recover from the problem quickly, then I will buy that stock. Such is the case with Toyota Motor Company (TM).

Continue reading Contrary Call on Toyota (TM)

Contrary Call on Toyota (TM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Aflac (AFL) is best known in the U.S. for its 'duck ads,' but actually earns over 75% of its money from Japan," says Dirk Van Dijk.

In selecting the stock as his top pick for 2010, the strategist for Zacks.com, recalls "Aflac happens to be an old favorite of mine, a stock that I first recommended back in 1991." Here's his current update.

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Aflac (AFL)

Top Picks for 2010: Aflac (AFL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:00:00 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.

Aflac (NYSE: AFL) is a new addition to the "Borderless Portfolio" maintained by global expert John Christy. Here's the latest from his industry-leading Forbes International Investment Report.

"If you own a television, chances are you're quite familiar with the infamous squawking duck in Aflac's commercials. Aflac has also been in the news lately as the first American company to give shareholders a 'say on pay', or the ability to vote on executive compensation.

"Less well known, however, is Aflac's huge presence in the Japanese insurance market. In 2007, roughly
75% of the company's pre-tax operating earnings were generated in Japan.

"Alfac has been doing business in Japan for more than 30 years, and one in four Japanese households has an Aflac insurance policy. In Japan, Aflac sells healthcare policies for certain things that aren't covered by the national healthcare system, as well as life insurance. And, yes, they have a talking duck in their ads over there too.

"At a time when many financial companies are reporting massive write-offs, Aflac reiterated its target of 15% earnings growth this year, and double-digit growth in 2009. Aflac Japan is doing its part to help drive this growth with 19% operating earnings growth in the first quarter of 2008."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

Forbes expert 'quacks' for Aflac (AFL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:00:00 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.