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☆ Asia markets open lower as traders assess Aussie business activity data, U.S. tech earnings
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets fell on Wednesday as traders assessed July business activity data from Australia, tech earnings from the U.S. and awaited Japan PMI readings. Late Tuesday, automaker Toyota said it will buyback 806.85 billion yen ($5.17 billion) of its shares from major Japanese banks and insurers, including Tokio Marine , Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group . Heavyweight Samsung Electronics plunged 1.8%, even as Reuters reported that chip giant Nvidia had cleared its chips for use in a processor for the China market. The South Korean electronics company is still grappling with a strike from its largest workers union, with talks on Tuesday yielding no results, according to the National Samsung Electronics Union, which has about 30,000 members. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 17,474, just marginally higher than the HSI's last close of 17,469.36.

Persons: Topix, Australia's Organizations: Sydney Opera House, Japan PMI, Nikkei, PMI, Toyota, Tokio Marine, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Samsung Electronics, Reuters, Nvidia, National Samsung Electronics Union, Juno Bank . Hong Locations: Asia, Pacific, Australia, U.S, Japan, China, Korean, Juno Bank . Hong Kong

☆ 'A fantastic market': Strategist names one under-the-radar stock to play in Japan right now
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | In Amala-Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Several investors have been looking favorably at Japanese stocks in the past few months, and market strategist Matt Orton is no exception. "Japan overall, has been a fantastic market ... Japan was the top performer within the Asian equity market complex," the chief market strategist at asset management firm Raymond James Investment Management told CNBC's " Squawk Box Asia " on April 1. One stock that stands out to Orton is Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group . Of the 14 analysts covering the stock, 10 give it a buy or overweight rating, while four have a hold rating, according to FactSet data. Analysts' average price target for the stock is 9,537.50 Japanese yen ($62.89), giving it around 11% potential upside.

Persons: Matt Orton, Raymond James, CNBC's, levered, they've, Orton Organizations: Raymond James Investment Management, Japan's Nikkei, Tokyo Exchange, Orton, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Sumitomo Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Philippines

The BOJ will now look to utilize its short-term interest rate as its primary policy tool. It will employ an interest rate of 0.1% to current account balances held by financial institutions at the central bank from March 21, while encouraging the uncollateralized overnight call rate (another interest rate used as a policy lever by the bank) to remain at around 0 to 0.1% — effectively raising interest rates from -0.1% previously. It would resort to "nimble responses" in the form of increased Japan government bond purchases and fixed-rate purchases of JGBs, among other things, if there is a rapid rise in long-term interest rates. Japanese investors have looked elsewhere for better returns given years of artificially depressed interest rates in their home market. The Fed is due to announce its own interest rate decision on Wednesday.

Persons: Japan Alexander Spatari, Kazuo Ueda, Rob Carnell, BOJ, Ueda, Michael Brown, —, JGBs, Vishnu Varathan, Hayden Briscoe, Briscoe Organizations: Japan's, Japan Inc, Asia, ING, CNBC, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, Bank of America, Barclays, U.S . Federal, UBS Asset Management Locations: Dotonbori, Japan, Japan's, U.S, Mizuho's, Asia

☆ Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group CEO dies at 65
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (SMFG)'s new chief executive Jun Ohta attends a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, December 14, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) (8316.T) on Monday said group CEO Jun Ohta died on Nov. 25 aged 65 of pancreatic cancer. Japan's second-biggest lender after Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.T) said it plans to announce a successor in the near future as soon as an appointment is made. Ohta joined The Sumitomo Bank, a predecessor of SMFG, in 1982 and rose to group CEO in April 2019. Ohta recently sought to expand SMFG's footprint in overseas markets through an alliance with U.S. investment bank Jefferies Financial Group (JEF.N).

Persons: Jun Ohta, Kim Kyung, Japan's, Toru Nakashima, Ohta, Mariko Katsumura, Rocky Swift, Kim Coghill, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc, REUTERS, Rights, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Sumitomo Bank, Keidanren, Jefferies Financial, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, SMFG

☆ Japan's Mizuho applies to set up securities company in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Mizuho Financial Group logo is seen at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan August 20, 2018. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING/TOKYO, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Japan's Mizuho Financial Group (8411.T) has sought to establish a securities company in China, becoming the latest foreign firm to make inroads into China's onshore securities market with a fully-owned entity. The China Securities Regulatory Commission has received the application from the securities arm of the third-largest Japanese banking group, according to a filing record issued on Wednesday from the regulator's website. The application comes as Mizuho is hoping to tap China's lucrative capital markets fee pool, the largest after the United States and Europe. Citigroup (C.N) and Standard Chartered (STAN.L) are also in the process of establishing securities units in China after Beijing allowed wholly-owned foreign securities companies in 2019.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Mizuho, Makiko Yamazaki, Jacqueline Wong, Mrigank Dhaniwala, Kim Coghill Organizations: Mizuho Financial, REUTERS, Rights, Mizuho Financial Group, China Securities Regulatory Commission, Citigroup, Standard Chartered, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Hong Kong, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights BEIJING, TOKYO, China, Mizuho, United States, Europe, Beijing, Hong

☆ Leasing giant SMBC places order for 60 Airbus A320neo planes
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Airbus is seen at the Milipol Paris, the worldwide exhibition dedicated to homeland security and safety, in Villepinte near Paris, France, November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDUBLIN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - SMBC Aviation Capital placed an order for 60 Airbus (AIR.PA) A320neo family aircraft, the world's second largest aircraft leasing firm said on Tuesday, without disclosing the financial details of the deal. Nikkei Asia, which first reported the deal, said it was thought to be worth around $3.4 billion, based on the A320neo's market price. Boeing won new orders for 196 aircraft while Airbus agreed deals for 55 jets amid soaring demand for wide-body planes. "This transaction is further testament of sustained global demand for technologically advanced, fuel-efficient aircraft, and comes amidst the continuing strong recovery in air travel worldwide," SMBC CEO Peter Barrett said in a statement.

Persons: Sarah Meyssonnier, Peter Barrett, Padraic Halpin, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Airbus, REUTERS, Rights, SMBC Aviation Capital, Nikkei, Boeing, Dubai Airshow, Japan's Sumitomo Corp, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Thomson Locations: Paris, Villepinte, France, Nikkei Asia

A banknote of Japanese yen is seen in this illustration picture taken June 15, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsNov 14 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. The policy pressures facing Japanese authorities are intense, and the potential risks to financial markets if policymakers misstep are growing. After battling against deflation for decades, the Bank of Japan is moving away from ultra-loose policy. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Florence Lo, Jamie McGeever, Xi Jinping's, Joe Biden, Shunichi Suzuki, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank's George Saravelos, Xi Jinping, Fed's Jefferson, Barr, Mester, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Economic Cooperation, U.S, Japanese Finance, Bank of, Deutsche Bank's, Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, San Francisco, Asia, Bank of Japan, Japan, India

☆ Japan Inc is only winner in nixed chip deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Anshuman Daga | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But this failed tie-up does have a winner of sorts: Japan Inc.That’s precious little consolation for the others involved. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe nixed deal also complicates Bain Capital’s exit strategy from Kioxia. Yet Western Digital was set to be the majority partner in the proposed deal. The Nikkei business daily also said that Kioxia and Western Digital were unable to agree on conditions with top Kioxia shareholder Bain Capital. The news sent Western Digital shares down 9%.

Persons: Elliot, Bain, Nobuo Hayasaka, –, Antony Currie, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Japan Inc, Western Digital, Elliot Investment Management, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Toshiba, SK Hynix, Western Digital’s, Development Bank of Japan, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, –, Western, South Korea's SK Hynix, U.S, Nikkei, Bain Capital, Thomson Locations: HYDERABAD, India, Japan, Tokyo

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Japan's top banks are set to commit to 1.9 trillion yen ($12.7 billion) financing to support the merger of Kioxia Holdings and Western Digital's flash memory business, four people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Several tech deals have been scuppered in recent years due to delays in regulatory approvals or rejections by China. 2 player in NAND flash memory chips - and Western Digital's fourth-ranked flash business, would control a third of the global NAND flash market, on par with top player Samsung Electronics (005930.KS). Kioxia and Western Digital have held merger talks since 2021 but the negotiations have often stalled over a series of issues including valuation discrepancies. In Japan, the two companies jointly produce NAND flash memory chips, which are widely used in smartphones, personal computers and other devices to store digital data.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Bain, Nobuo Hayasaka, Makiko Yamazaki, Miho Uranaka, Maki Shiraki, Miyoung Kim, Tomasz Janowwski Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Kioxia Holdings, Reuters, Intel Corp, China ., Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Development Bank of Japan, SK Hynix, Toshiba Corp, Samsung Electronics, Nasdaq, Western, Mitsubishi, Mizuho, Sumitomo Mitsui, Western Digital, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, China, Kioxia

☆ Japan firms to issue digital currency for clear energy transaction
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Edgar Su/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 12 (Reuters) - A group of Japanese firms will issue a digital currency by July 2024 for the transaction and settlement of clean energy certificates, cryptocurrency exchange DeCurret said on Thursday. GMO Aozora Net Bank will issue the yen-based digital currency, called "DCJPY", which will then be used by telecommunication firm Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ) for settlement of clean energy certificates, DeCurret said. Transaction of DCJPY will be made using a network launched by DeCurret which, unlike stablecoin, is backed by bank deposits through block-chain technology, DeCurret added. DeCurret has been spearheading the launch of a digital currency by anchoring discussions at a consortium of Japanese firms keen to tap the technology. The consortium, which includes megabanks Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (8306.T), Mizuho Financial Group Inc (8411.T) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (8316.T), has been meeting regularly to study ways to build a common settlement infrastructure for digital payments.

Persons: Edgar Su, DeCurret, Leika Kihara, Krishna Chandra Organizations: REUTERS, Aozora, Internet Initiative Japan, Japan, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Inc, Mizuho Financial Group Inc, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Kioxia's banks to refinance $13.5 bln loan for Western Digital merger -Bloomberg
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T), Mizuho Financial Group (8411.T) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.T) intend to submit a commitment letter for the refinancing next month, Bloomberg reported citing unnamed sources. Part of the loan will be used to pay special dividends to Kioxia's shareholders, Bloomberg said. Of the 2 trillion yen loan, 400 billion yen will likely be funded through loan commitments and the Development Bank of Japan will provide a loan of 300 billion yen. The rest will likely be equally split between the three megabanks, Bloomberg reported. Kioxia and Western Digital are speeding up merger talks and nailing down a deal structure, Reuters reported in May, amid a slump in the market for flash memory.

Persons: Kioxia, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Sam Nussey, Makiko Yamazaki, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Taipei, REUTERS, Rights, Western, Bloomberg, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Kioxia, Mizuho, MUFG, Development Bank of Japan, Western Digital, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan

☆ SMBC agrees $3.7 bln deal for 25 Boeing 737 MAX jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBLIN, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Global leasing giant SMBC Aviation Capital said on Tuesday it had concluded an order for 25 Boeing (BA.N) 737 MAX aircraft in a deal worth more than $3.7 billion at current list prices that would support its growth plans and meet customer demand. SMBC, the world's second largest aircraft leasing firm, said the new planes are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029 and will increase its orders of Boeing's more fuel-efficient MAX jets to 81 aircraft. "Our customers have demonstrated clear long-term demand for the 737 MAX and our expanded order pipeline positions SMBC Aviation Capital for future growth against the background of a strong global recovery in air travel," SMBC CEO Peter Barrett said in a statement. The Irish-based lessor, which is owned by a consortium including Japan's Sumitomo Corp (8053.T) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group , currently owns or manages 65 MAX aircraft, out of a total portfolio of 711 planes. Boeing said last week that it is set to meet targets to deliver at least 400 narrowbody 737s this year despite a recently discovered production flaw that has slowed deliveries of the best-selling 737 MAX.

Persons: Peter Barrett, Padraic Halpin, Jason Neely Organizations: DUBLIN, Global, SMBC Aviation Capital, Boeing, Japan's Sumitomo Corp, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Thomson

☆ Morgan Stanley and MUFG’s next act is well-timed
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Una Galani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Morgan Stanley (MS.N) and the $94 billion Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (8306.T) are tapping deeper into a good thing at the right time. As well as collaborating on foreign exchange trading, Morgan Stanley and MUFG will now integrate the institutional Japan equities business by consolidating research and institutional sales into Morgan Stanley’s joint venture entity. It’s a bright backdrop for Morgan Stanley and MUFG’s partnership. Follow @ugalani on TwitterCONTEXT NEWSMorgan Stanley and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial on July 18 announced plans to deepen their 15-year alliance, including in foreign exchange trading and in Japanese research and equities businesses for institutional clients. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, MUFG, James Gorman, Ohta, Morgan, isn’t, Morgan Stanley’s, Antony Currie, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Wall, Mitsubishi UFJ, MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, Jefferies, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, U.S, Japan

☆ Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui launches US digital bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, July 12 (Reuters) - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) has launched a digital banking service in the United States, as Japan's number two lender aims to tap growth in the U.S. consumer banking market, a bank executive said on Wednesday. Sumitomo Mitsui is providing personal loans through a newly created online banking division of Manufacturers Bank, a California state-chartered bank wholly owned by the Japanese group. Starting with a 270-strong workforce, the digital banking service targets some tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars) in net profit within 10 years, said Daisuke Tanaka, an executive at the bank's corporate development group. "But we eventually want to have a solid presence in the United States." ($1 = 139.5100 yen)Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Daisuke Tanaka, Tanaka, Makiko Yamazaki, Robert Birsel Organizations: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui, Manufacturers Bank, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, United States, U.S, California

As of end-March, the three banks had total credit exposure of about $64 billion to China, or roughly 1% of their total assets, according to their financial statements. The FSA's request to look into China-related geopolitical risk was made in May, said two other sources. At a meeting last month, one of the banks was asked by the FSA how it is assessing risk related to China operations, one of them said. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Dealing with China sanctions would be extremely complex, the executive added.

Persons: Banks, SMFG, Antony Blinken, Wang Yi, Takaya Yamaguchi, Makiko Yamazaki, Sumeet Chatterjee, Jamie Freed Organizations: Financial Services, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, Mizuho, American Chamber of Commerce, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, TOKYO, Ukraine, Russia, United States, China . U.S, Beijing, West, Taiwan, U.S, Tokyo, New York

☆ Toyota shareholders make 15% the new win-win
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Antony Currie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Both Glass Lewis and ISS reckon there aren’t enough properly independent directors on the board, even though Toyota complies with the requirements laid down by the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Yet ISS held back from advising shareholders vote against them because it would risk “increasing management dominance of the board”. Toyota is a laggard on both and is now under pressure to get powerful investors back onside. CONTEXT NEWSMore than 15% of voting shareholders were against reappointing Chairman Akio Toyoda to Toyota Motor’s board at its annual meeting on June 14, the Japanese carmaker said on June 15. About 15% of shareholders who voted supported a resolution asking the company to issue an annual review of its climate lobbying activities.

Persons: Akio Toyoda, Glass Lewis, Glass Lewis plumped, Toyoda, Masahiko Oshima, carmaker, Pete Sweeney, Thomas Shum Organizations: MELBOURNE, Reuters, Toyota, ISS, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, Nikkei, California Public, New York, New York City Comptroller, Twitter, Thomson Locations: New York City

TOKYO, June 13 (Reuters) - Toyota (7203.T) faces an unprecedented challenge at its annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday, with some pension funds voting against Chairman Akio Toyoda on governance issues, while seeking more disclosures on the Japanese automaker's climate lobbying. Two prominent U.S. proxy advisers have flagged concern about Toyota's board independence. The step comes as companies across Japan face more pressure from investors, especially on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. The strong financial performance has meant concerns about board independence have largely been shrugged off, said Kazunori Suzuki of Waseda Business School. He enjoys strong support from individual investors and the many suppliers and Toyota group companies among its shareholders.

Persons: Akio Toyoda, Toyoda, Kentaro Shibata, Kazunori Suzuki, Anders Schelde, Denmark's, AkademikerPension, AkademikerPension's Schelde, Nicholas Benes, Benes, that's, Makiko Yamazaki, Maki Shiraki, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, William Mallard, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Toyota, Nikkei, Waseda Business School, Tokyo, Exchange, Services, International Paralympic Committee, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Training, of Japan, Nissan, Honda, Reuters, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, New York, Japan, Toyota

☆ Toyota governance fight gets stuck in traffic
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, May 30 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Governance campaigns against Japanese companies have a hard enough time gaining traction as it is. ValueAct Capital’s two-year campaign against Seven & i (3382.T) culminated last week with at best just a third of shareholders backing its four board candidates. Glass Lewis asserts just three of Toyota’s 10 board candidates are unaffiliated, fewer than the one-third the advisory sets as a floor. Toyota insists its board meets the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s independence standards. He should go in any event: having the former CEO of 14 years lead the board is bad governance.

TOKYO, May 28 (Reuters) - Proxy adviser Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has recommended that shareholders of Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) vote in favour of a resolution urging the automaker to improve disclosure of its lobbying related to climate change. ISS in a report also said it regarded three of Toyota's four outside board director nominees as not truly independent. Toyota's board said the fluidity of such disclosure made the proposal unsuitable for enshrining in the articles of incorporation. A spokesperson previously said few firms globally have made climate policy engagement-related disclosure to the extent of Toyota. "Toyota does not provide shareholders with enough information to evaluate its lobbying activities," ISS said.

☆ Japanese lender Mizuho to buy Greenhill in $550 mln deal to expand US footprint
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 22 (Reuters) - Japan's Mizuho Financial Group Inc (8411.T) will acquire independent investment bank Greenhill & Co Inc (GHL.N) in an all-cash transaction, in a bid to expand further into U.S. investment banking. Of Japan's three megabanks, Mizuho has, however, been slower to move than bigger rivals Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.T) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T). The Greenhill business will sit within Mizuho's banking division, led by Michal Katz, head of banking in the Americas, the statement said. Greenhill Chairman and CEO Scott L. Bok will become chairman of the M&A and restructuring advisory business, it added. Last year, Mizuho CEO Yoshiro Hamamoto told Reuters that the group's brokerage arm Mizuho Securities Co "has room for further growth" in the United States and acquisitions were an option it was exploring.

There are some signs that the broader $275 billion AT1 market is recovering. Reuters GraphicsLast month, Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) was the first major global bank to sell AT1s since the March rout. With time, analysts expect UBS to sell AT1s aplenty to meet its capital requirements. It has a 700 million Singapore dollar ($755 million) AT1 bond repayable in November followed by a heftier $2.5 billion bond in January. RATINGS GAMEInvestor appetite for a UBS AT1 could also hinge on its future credit profile.

☆ Sumitomo triples down on Jefferies at right time
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Antony Currie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, April 28 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Jun Ohta may have preferred to catch a bigger Wall Street fish. But the CEO of Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) is expanding his relationship with relative minnow Jefferies (JEF.N) at an opportune moment. The $56 billion SMFG also intends to increase its ownership of the $7.6 billion company run by Richard Handler to 15% by purchasing ordinary shares that it will convert into preferred stock. Slumping deal flow after what Jefferies called an “off-the-charts” 2021 prompted its earnings to more than halve last year. SMFG will buy common stock on the open market and then convert it into non-voting preferred stock.

☆ Japan's SMFG boosts U.S. presence via bigger stake in Jefferies
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 27 (Reuters) - Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC) said it will combine its U.S. equity and M&A business with Jefferies Financial Group Inc (JEF.N) as part of a deal in which its parent, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T), will boost its stake in the U.S firm and its presence in the country. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) will raise its stake in Jefferies from 4.5% currently to as much as 15%, giving it the right to nominate a member to the U.S. company's board of directors, the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday. Its SMBC Nikko Securities unit, formerly Citigroup Inc's (C.N) Japanese broker and a key investment banking unit that SMFG bought in 2009, has a limited footprint abroad. SMFG's bigger domestic rival, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (8306.T), has boosted its U.S. presence through a $9 billion investment in Morgan Stanley (MS.N) in 2008, which gave MUFG some 20% ownership of the Wall Street bank. The Financial Times first reported the news on SMBC and Jefferies.

☆ Japan's SMFG is first global bank to sell AT1 bonds since C.Suisse wipeout
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Junko Fujita | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AT1 bonds - the riskiest tranche of a bank's bonds also known as "contingent convertibles" or "CoCo" bonds - can be converted into equity or written off if a bank's capital level falls below a certain threshold. SMFG sold the bonds in two tranches, in 89 billion yen ($662.50 million) five-year notes, and 51 billion yen 10-year bonds. The 89 billion yen issuance carries a coupon rate of 1.879% for the initial five years and two-month period, a regulatory filing showed. "In Japan, where spreads over corporate bonds are thin, the terms for these AT1 bonds were reasonably good, provided that the banking sector is credible," said Pictet's Otsuki. Japanese banks' AT1 bonds had been configured in a way the value is secured even if the government is involved in restructuring, and SMFG's new issues are seen to have the same features, she said.

☆ SMFG becomes first big Japan bank to sell AT1 bonds since Credit Suisse's debt wipeout
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Junko Fujita | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SMFG priced the bonds in two tranches, in 89 billion yen ($662.50 million) five-year notes, and 51 billion yen 10-year bonds, whose terms market players said were attractive. "In Japan, where spreads over corporate bonds are thin, the terms for these AT1 bonds were reasonably good, provided that the banking sector is credible," said Nana Otsuki, senior fellow at Pictet Japan. Swiss regulator FINMA determined that Credit Suisse's AT1 bonds would be wiped out, a decision that rocked global credit markets. AT1 bonds - known as "contingent convertibles" or "CoCo" bonds - can be converted into equity or written off if a bank's capital level falls below a certain threshold. The 51 billion yen one would yield 2.180% for the first 10 years and two months.

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