Funds

In August, Japanese equities advanced as the TOPIX rose 3.8%, marking a fifth consecutive monthly gain, while the Nikkei 225 increased 3.0%, supported by strong domestic corporate earnings and easing concerns over excessive AI investment following US technology sector results. Semiconductor and AI-related stocks rebounded after July's sharp correction, while softer US economic data reduced expectations of near-term Federal Reserve tightening and further supported sentiment.

[External Link] Katsunori Ogawa, Chief Portfolio Manager for Sakigake High Alpha at SuMi TRUST AM, shared his views with WealthBriefing on the long-term outlook for AI investment, highlighting that infrastructure capacity, energy efficiency, and power management are likely to become increasingly important as AI adoption accelerates.

[External Link] Kei Fujimoto, Senior Economist at SuMi TRUST AM, shared his views with the media on the Bank of Japan's policy outlook, highlighting the potential for a faster pace of monetary tightening amid stronger economic growth and rising import-price inflation.