We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Time to Play the Bounce in Currency-Hedged Japanese ETFs?
Read MoreHide Full Article
It seems that the troubled days of Japan investing are about to end now. After witnessing a tumultuous 1H16 on a rising yen, Japanese shares lately turned their course thanks mainly to the sweeping victory of prime minister Shinzo Abe’s coalition in the upper house election on Sunday.
Responding to this win, Japan’s key equity index Nikkei rallied 3.98% on Monday while the broader Topix index shares jumped 3.79%. Hopes of new stimulus measures actually lifted investors’ sentiment.
After all, Abenomics – a monetary and fiscal firepower introduced by Shinzo Abe in 2013 to lift the world’s third largest economy from feeble growth and deflationary pressure – put Japan under the spotlight over the last few years (read: Japan ETFs to Buy on Negative Interest Rates).
Now the landslide victory of Shinzo Abe is being viewed as a chance to act freely on policy easing. Going by an article, Abe government indicated that it will boost agriculture exports from rural areas and invest in infrastructure sector. Government spending is especially needed as a strong yen and anemic demand affected corporate profits and in turn hurt capital spending plans.
He also stressed on better “access to child care and elderly care” as well as educational grants. Issuances of bonds for public-private partnerships and improving the tourism sector are also on Abe’s agenda.
Yen to Be on Downhill Ride?
While this bout of liquidity will give equities a solid boost, the Japanese yen will fall against the U.S. dollar. Also, a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report for the month of June released last Friday firmed up the so-far-sagging greenback. If the wining trend of the U.S. dollar continues, yen will likely shed strength against it.
Thus the dual doses of Japanese stimulus hope and a stronger greenback led the yen ETF CurrencyShares Japanese Yen ETF (FXY - Free Report) to lose over 2.3% on July 11. The fund also shed about 0.01% after hours.
Japanese Stocks to Burst Out?
Since Japan investing is more of a yen story, any pullback in yen will give Japanese stocks ways to outperform. This is because Japan relies on exports considerably and a weaker currency always plays a vital role in helping Japanese companies operating abroad such as Toyota Motor Corp. (TM - Free Report) and Honda Motor Co Ltd (HMC - Free Report) in repatriating more money earned in dollar terms.
In November 2014, WisdomTree discussed in a note that ‘corporate profits in Japan are more important than GDP growth’ as Japanese earnings have skyrocketed 526% cumulatively from October 1994 to October 2014 while its average economic growth was negative 0.17% during this phase (read: Yen Gain Seems Overdone; Time for Japan ETFs?).
Hedged ETFs to Outperform
While all Japan ETFs were on a tear on Monday trading, the essential role was played by the bunch of currency-hedged Japanese ETFs thanks to a receding yen. These ETFs are in shambles from the year-to-date look and thus offer reasonable valuation and more upside potential from here (read: 1H ETF Asset Report: Gold Glows; Equities Fade).
Notably, the largest Japan ETF iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ - Free Report) added over 2.4% on July 11 while it added over 0.4% after hours. But several currency-hedged ETFs offered double the return of EWJ.
Below we highlight a few top-performing currency-hedged Japanese ETFs that may prove vital for investors seeking a Japanese flavor in their portfolio, yet looking to hedge against a falling currency.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials ETF – Up 6.19% on July 11
The fund gives currency-hedged exposure to the financial companies of Japan. The fund yields about 2.34% annually (as of July 11, 2016). This much of yield is quite appealing from a Japanese ETF given that rock-bottom interest rates are prevailing in the economy.
In fact, yields across the developed nations are at nadir. As of July 11, yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury notes was 1.43%, thus pushing investors hard to an investment like DXJF (read: Top and Flop ETFs of 1H).
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan (HEWJ - Free Report) –Up 5.05% on July 11
It is the currency-hedged version of EWJ. The fund yields about 1.94% and advanced about 1.3% after hours.
Deutsche X-trackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF(DBJP - Free Report) – Up 4.97% on July 11, 2016
The fund follows the MSCI Japan US Dollar Hedged Index and the product yields about 1.37% annually.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity ETF(DXJ - Free Report) – Up 4.95% on July 11
The fund looks to track the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index which is designed to provide exposure to the Japanese equity market. The fund tacked on 0.5% gains after hours and yields about 2.29% annually.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity ETF(DXJS - Free Report) – Up 4.83% on July 11, 2016
This ETF gives exposure to the currency-hedged small-cap stocks of Japan. The fund yields 2.19% annually.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Quality Dividend Growth ETF – Up 4.30% on July 11
This fund offers the currency-hedged exposure to the dividend-paying stocks with growth characteristics. The fund yields 2.06% annually.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Real Estate ETF – Up 4.12% on July 11
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Time to Play the Bounce in Currency-Hedged Japanese ETFs?
It seems that the troubled days of Japan investing are about to end now. After witnessing a tumultuous 1H16 on a rising yen, Japanese shares lately turned their course thanks mainly to the sweeping victory of prime minister Shinzo Abe’s coalition in the upper house election on Sunday.
Responding to this win, Japan’s key equity index Nikkei rallied 3.98% on Monday while the broader Topix index shares jumped 3.79%. Hopes of new stimulus measures actually lifted investors’ sentiment.
After all, Abenomics – a monetary and fiscal firepower introduced by Shinzo Abe in 2013 to lift the world’s third largest economy from feeble growth and deflationary pressure – put Japan under the spotlight over the last few years (read: Japan ETFs to Buy on Negative Interest Rates).
Now the landslide victory of Shinzo Abe is being viewed as a chance to act freely on policy easing. Going by an article, Abe government indicated that it will boost agriculture exports from rural areas and invest in infrastructure sector. Government spending is especially needed as a strong yen and anemic demand affected corporate profits and in turn hurt capital spending plans.
He also stressed on better “access to child care and elderly care” as well as educational grants. Issuances of bonds for public-private partnerships and improving the tourism sector are also on Abe’s agenda.
Yen to Be on Downhill Ride?
While this bout of liquidity will give equities a solid boost, the Japanese yen will fall against the U.S. dollar. Also, a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report for the month of June released last Friday firmed up the so-far-sagging greenback. If the wining trend of the U.S. dollar continues, yen will likely shed strength against it.
Thus the dual doses of Japanese stimulus hope and a stronger greenback led the yen ETF CurrencyShares Japanese Yen ETF (FXY - Free Report) to lose over 2.3% on July 11. The fund also shed about 0.01% after hours.
Japanese Stocks to Burst Out?
Since Japan investing is more of a yen story, any pullback in yen will give Japanese stocks ways to outperform. This is because Japan relies on exports considerably and a weaker currency always plays a vital role in helping Japanese companies operating abroad such as Toyota Motor Corp. (TM - Free Report) and Honda Motor Co Ltd (HMC - Free Report) in repatriating more money earned in dollar terms.
In November 2014, WisdomTree discussed in a note that ‘corporate profits in Japan are more important than GDP growth’ as Japanese earnings have skyrocketed 526% cumulatively from October 1994 to October 2014 while its average economic growth was negative 0.17% during this phase (read: Yen Gain Seems Overdone; Time for Japan ETFs?).
Hedged ETFs to Outperform
While all Japan ETFs were on a tear on Monday trading, the essential role was played by the bunch of currency-hedged Japanese ETFs thanks to a receding yen. These ETFs are in shambles from the year-to-date look and thus offer reasonable valuation and more upside potential from here (read: 1H ETF Asset Report: Gold Glows; Equities Fade).
Notably, the largest Japan ETF iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ - Free Report) added over 2.4% on July 11 while it added over 0.4% after hours. But several currency-hedged ETFs offered double the return of EWJ.
Below we highlight a few top-performing currency-hedged Japanese ETFs that may prove vital for investors seeking a Japanese flavor in their portfolio, yet looking to hedge against a falling currency.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Financials ETF – Up 6.19% on July 11
The fund gives currency-hedged exposure to the financial companies of Japan. The fund yields about 2.34% annually (as of July 11, 2016). This much of yield is quite appealing from a Japanese ETF given that rock-bottom interest rates are prevailing in the economy.
In fact, yields across the developed nations are at nadir. As of July 11, yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury notes was 1.43%, thus pushing investors hard to an investment like DXJF (read: Top and Flop ETFs of 1H).
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan (HEWJ - Free Report) –Up 5.05% on July 11
It is the currency-hedged version of EWJ. The fund yields about 1.94% and advanced about 1.3% after hours.
Deutsche X-trackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF(DBJP - Free Report) – Up 4.97% on July 11, 2016
The fund follows the MSCI Japan US Dollar Hedged Index and the product yields about 1.37% annually.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity ETF(DXJ - Free Report) – Up 4.95% on July 11
The fund looks to track the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index which is designed to provide exposure to the Japanese equity market. The fund tacked on 0.5% gains after hours and yields about 2.29% annually.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged SmallCap Equity ETF(DXJS - Free Report) – Up 4.83% on July 11, 2016
This ETF gives exposure to the currency-hedged small-cap stocks of Japan. The fund yields 2.19% annually.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Quality Dividend Growth ETF – Up 4.30% on July 11
This fund offers the currency-hedged exposure to the dividend-paying stocks with growth characteristics. The fund yields 2.06% annually.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Real Estate ETF – Up 4.12% on July 11
This currency-hedged fund provides exposure to Real Estate companies in Japan and yields 2.14% annually (read: Why is it the Best Time to Invest in Japan REIT ETF - DXJR?)
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>