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Measuring Intangibles for Asia's Growth Companies
by Taizo Ishida, Michael Oh of Matthews Asia, 9/10/20

Portfolio managers Taizo Ishida and Michael Oh, CFA, explore the growth drivers for Asia's new economy sectors, including how to measure and assign potential future value of intangible assets.

Japan Election and Macro Update
by Taizo Ishida Matthew, Shuntaro Takeuchi of Matthews Asia, 9/3/20

As Japan considers Prime Minister Abe's successor, fiscal and monetary policy appears to be remaining stable and Japanese corporate profits are climbing back from COVID-19 impact, at least for now.

Demographics Drive Japan's Innovation and Growth
by Taizo Ishida, Shuntaro Takeuchi of Matthews Asia, 3/27/20

Japanese growth stocks, along with global equities, experienced considerable volatility in the first quarter. Uncertainty around the coronavirus, slowdowns in global manufacturing activity and worries about dampened consumer activity related to Japan's consumption tax each impacted Japan's markets.

Pakistan?Reputation and Reality
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 4/4/14
I have been spending an increasing amount of time in ?frontier? Asian countries, exploring such fascinating locales as Mongolia and Myanmar. But only recently did I make my first trip to Pakistan. It is a country that has long piqued my interest and was a last, unexplored frontier for me. Through the years, we have debated the issues of safety and law and order there. For many in the West, the mention of Pakistan instills some fears, and many governments continue to warn their citizens to defer all non-essential travel to the country.

Celebrating Asia's Growth Past and Present
by Taizo Ishida, Mark Headley of Matthews Asia, 12/20/13
Today, Matthews Asia celebrates 10 remarkable years that have passed since we launched our Asia Growth strategy to U.S. investors. During this time, the region has evolved in many significant ways. In the early 2000s, only the "Asian Tiger" economies had managed to reach GDP per capita levels considered the tipping point for consumption growth. More recently, consumption has been on the rise in many of the regions economies, laying the foundation for Asias ongoing prosperity.

Now Showing in Macau
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 10/11/13
What is most impressive about Macau today is the strong sense of collaboration and commitment from all involved parties: both Macau and mainland Chinese government officials and casino operators. While Asias other gambling centers (Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and the Philippines) have also seen waves of notable development in recent years, Macau, in my opinion, should be recognized as the gold standard of the gaming space in Asia.

Fast Emerging Asia
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 4/19/13
Over the past 20 years, Asia has come a long way to evolve into an asset class in itself. China and India have famously led the way as symbols of emerging nations. But when I think about seeking growth in Asia, I am particularly drawn to the regions smaller equity markets as attractive hunting grounds for investment opportunities. Asia continues to change at a rapid pace, and this change is not restricted to Chinas ever-changing landscape, but to many other areas that may see fewer media headlines.

Vietnam Under Pressure
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 6/22/12
I recently spent a few days in Vietnam for research, meeting with several companiesall of which expressed a cautious near-term outlook. Having seen an average of about 7% GDP growth each year since 2000, Vietnam is lagging thus far this year. During the first quarter of 2012, the country saw GDP growth of just 4%. This contrasts sharply from the environment I encountered during my prior visit in September last year.

Mongolia's Treasure Chest
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 5/4/12
There has been much hype recently over the treasure chest of natural resources in Mongolia. Dubbed the next Saudi Arabia of coal, Mongolia claims more coal than China, which produced nearly 4 billion tons last year. At the same time, however, there continue to be conflicting reports from the Mongolian government over who may be allowed to develop and ultimately own the rights to the country's precious resources. One key concern among global investors is natural resource nationalism, a term used to describe the tendency of governments to assert control over these resources.

Sri Lanka's Story
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 2/3/12
Ever since Sri Lanka ended more than 25 years of civil war in early 2009, its economy has been on the upswing. The countrys stock market has quadrupled in the two years since the end of its long and bitter conflict, helped by strong, pent-up domestic demand. Among Sri Lankas top priorities has been a rebuilding of its tourism industry, and officials have set a target of attracting 2.5 million visitors by 2016. They may well get there if they keep pace with their 2011 annual growth rate, which saw a 30% increase to 856,000 visitors.

The Dilemma of the Yen
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 9/2/11
Last month, Japan took steps to help its economy ride out the surge in the yen. What the market may be overlooking, however, is that thus far Japanese companies are managing relatively well under the new 80-yen regime. The most recent operating margins appear to be a bit higher than the historical average of 4.5%. Nobody can accurately predict where the yen will go from here, but its current strength is a double-edged sword. While it can make Japanese exports less competitive, the strong yen also boosts Japans purchasing power abroad.

Searching for Growth in Asia
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 3/9/11
There are many ways one might define ?growth? and go about uncovering it. There are a few key elements I look for: main drivers of growth, sustainability and scope of growth, and market expectations. Many global investors today are seduced by the last several years of strong stock performance in China and India, fueled by robust economic growth. However, economic growth alone does not guarantee good stock performance. In fact, many studies argue that, historically, there has been little correlation between stock market performance and economic growth.

Postcard from Bangladesh
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 12/17/10
While some foreign investors may consider Bangladesh a ?frontier? market, its market capitalization already surpasses that of Pakistan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. I believe there is a good chance that this market will be a more integrated part of the Asian investment landscape soon.

Postcard from Vietnam
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 10/29/10
As much as two-thirds of Vietnam's GDP can be attributed to strong personal consumption in a country of 86 million (with an average age of 26). Over the past 20 years, the country has shown impressive economic expansion, averaging 7.1 percent growth per year, which has pushed GDP per capita up to just over $1,000 U.S. Although Vietnam still faces potential problems with inflation, it is still encouraging to witness the real changes taking place in the country's consumer behavior.

Postcard from Indonesia
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 8/6/10
On paper, Indonesia has made big strides, with annual GDP growth of more than 5 percent in the last several years - including in 2008 when most markets suffered. The country's stock market has also been the best-performing market in Asia since late-2008. But if you stand in the middle of Jakarta you somehow don't get that sense. Indeed, there are still challenges to overcome: infrastructure woes, the country?s widespread poverty and a government lacking checks and balances.

Postcard from Macau
by Taizo Ishida of Matthews Asia, 5/7/10
Following a visit to Macau, Ishida is upbeat on the tourism and casino industries there.
16 results found.