Buffett adds to his holdings of Japanese trading houses

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa.N) said on Monday it added to holdings in Japan’s five biggest trading houses, likely underpinning strong momentum propelling the nation’s stock market to multi-year highs.

Berkshire said its stakes in Itochu (8001.T), Marubeni (8002.T), Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T), Mitsui & Co (8031.T) and Sumitomo (8053.T) now average more than 8.5%.

It first announced the buys in 2020, and the additional purchases are in line with its plans to hold the stakes long term and increase them to as much as 9.9%.

Buffett’s investments and his optimism about Japan’s prospects have drawn attention to improving economic conditions and shareholder-friendly corporate governance reforms that have helped underpin a sparkling rally in the Nikkei share average.

The market (.N225) ended 1% lower on Friday, and Berkshire’s announcement came after Monday’s close, but 10 weeks of consecutive gains have helped the Nikkei rise 28% this year.

“The tailwinds for Japanese equities continue to multiply,” said Charu Chanana, market strategist at broker Saxo Markets in Singapore.

This report’s information was first seen on REUTERS; to read more, click this link.