Markets
The Best Performing Japanese Stocks (1-Year Returns)
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The Best Performing Japanese Stocks (1-Year Returns)
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On Feb. 22, 2024, the Nikkei 225 (Japan’s leading stock index) closed at 39,098.68, setting a new record high for the first time since 1989. A little over a week later, the index surpassed 40,000 for the first time ever.
To add context to Japan’s recent stock rally, we’ve ranked the top 10 Japanese stocks by their 1-year percentage gains. This is shown by the black bars in the graphic, while market capitalization (in USD) is shown by the white bubbles. All figures are as of March 5, 2024.
The figures we used to create this graphic are listed in the table below.
| Company | Stock Symbol | 1-Yr Performance (%) | Market Cap (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sakura Internet Inc | 3778 | 1,515 | $2.2B |
| Sumiseki Holdings | 1514 | 1,032 | $1.3B |
| Japan Engine Corp | 6016 | 1,022 | $275M |
| Micronics Japan | 6871 | 507 | $2.1B |
| Namura Shipbuilding Co | 7014 | 491 | $1.0B |
| Genetec Corp | 4492 | 481 | $71M |
| Yamadai Corp | 7426 | 441 | $33M |
| Mitsui E&S Co | 7003 | 438 | $1.3B |
| Towa Corp | 6315 | 423 | $1.8B |
| Forside Co | 2330 | 381 | $110M |
| Nikkei 225 Index | -- | 44 | -- |
While all of these stocks have greatly outperformed the Nikkei 225, just three have grown by over 1,000% over the 1-year period ending March 5, 2024.
Sakura Internet Soars after AI announcement
Japan’s best stock over the past 12 months is Sakura Internet Inc., which offers a variety of internet services like cloud computing and home internet.
The stock rallied after it was announced that Sakura would be building a supercomputer designed to develop generative AI models. On top of that, the Japanese government is expected to cover half of the computer’s cost.
The Nikkei 225 Experiences a Pullback
Unfortunately, nothing moves in a straight line. Since closing at 40,109.23 on March 4, 2024, the Nikkei 225 index has fallen 3.6%, closing at 38,695.97 on March 13.
Some believe this dip will be short-lived, and that the rally will continue throughout the year. Japanese companies have reported strong earnings as of late, partly thanks to a weak yen, which benefits many of the country’s export-reliant companies.
Another reason is the creation of the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA), which encourages Japanese households to invest more of their savings in domestic equities.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Japanese stock market, consider this graphic which illustrates the country’s 25 largest companies by market cap.
Markets
The European Stock Market: Attractive Valuations Offer Opportunities
On average, the European stock market has valuations that are nearly 50% lower than U.S. valuations. But how can you access the market?
European Stock Market: Attractive Valuations Offer Opportunities
Europe is known for some established brands, from L’Oréal to Louis Vuitton. However, the European stock market offers additional opportunities that may be lesser known.
The above infographic, sponsored by STOXX, outlines why investors may want to consider European stocks.
Attractive Valuations
Compared to most North American and Asian markets, European stocks offer lower or comparable valuations.
| Index | Price-to-Earnings Ratio | Price-to-Book Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| EURO STOXX 50 | 14.9 | 2.2 |
| STOXX Europe 600 | 14.4 | 2 |
| U.S. | 25.9 | 4.7 |
| Canada | 16.1 | 1.8 |
| Japan | 15.4 | 1.6 |
| Asia Pacific ex. China | 17.1 | 1.8 |
Data as of February 29, 2024. See graphic for full index names. Ratios based on trailing 12 month financials. The price to earnings ratio excludes companies with negative earnings.
On average, European valuations are nearly 50% lower than U.S. valuations, potentially offering an affordable entry point for investors.
Research also shows that lower price ratios have historically led to higher long-term returns.
Market Movements Not Closely Connected
Over the last decade, the European stock market had low-to-moderate correlation with North American and Asian equities.
The below chart shows correlations from February 2014 to February 2024. A value closer to zero indicates low correlation, while a value of one would indicate that two regions are moving in perfect unison.
| EURO STOXX 50 | STOXX EUROPE 600 | U.S. | Canada | Japan | Asia Pacific ex. China |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURO STOXX 50 | 1.00 | 0.97 | 0.55 | 0.67 | 0.24 | 0.43 |
| STOXX EUROPE 600 | 1.00 | 0.56 | 0.71 | 0.28 | 0.48 | |
| U.S. | 1.00 | 0.73 | 0.12 | 0.25 | ||
| Canada | 1.00 | 0.22 | 0.40 | |||
| Japan | 1.00 | 0.88 | ||||
| Asia Pacific ex. China | 1.00 |
Data is based on daily USD returns.
European equities had relatively independent market movements from North American and Asian markets. One contributing factor could be the differing sector weights in each market. For instance, technology makes up a quarter of the U.S. market, but health care and industrials dominate the broader European market.
Ultimately, European equities can enhance portfolio diversification and have the potential to mitigate risk for investors.
Tracking the Market
For investors interested in European equities, STOXX offers a variety of flagship indices:
| Index | Description | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|
| STOXX Europe 600 | Pan-regional, broad market | €10.5T |
| STOXX Developed Europe | Pan-regional, broad-market | €9.9T |
| STOXX Europe 600 ESG-X | Pan-regional, broad market, sustainability focus | €9.7T |
| STOXX Europe 50 | Pan-regional, blue-chip | €5.1T |
| EURO STOXX 50 | Eurozone, blue-chip | €3.5T |
Data is as of February 29, 2024. Market cap is free float, which represents the shares that are readily available for public trading on stock exchanges.
The EURO STOXX 50 tracks the Eurozone’s biggest and most traded companies. It also underlies one of the world’s largest ranges of ETFs and mutual funds. As of November 2023, there were €27.3 billion in ETFs and €23.5B in mutual fund assets under management tracking the index.
“For the past 25 years, the EURO STOXX 50 has served as an accurate, reliable and tradable representation of the Eurozone equity market.”
— Axel Lomholt, General Manager at STOXX
Partnering with STOXX to Track the European Stock Market
Are you interested in European equities? STOXX can be a valuable partner:
- Comprehensive, liquid and investable ecosystem
- European heritage, global reach
- Highly sophisticated customization capabilities
- Open architecture approach to using data
- Close partnerships with clients
- Part of ISS STOXX and Deutsche Börse Group
With a full suite of indices, STOXX can help you benchmark against the European stock market.
Learn how STOXX’s European indices offer liquid and effective market access.
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