Berkshire Hathaway issues yen bonds again, Japanese stock investors eagerly await the "Buffett effect" to reappear
Berkshire Hathaway plans to issue multiple yen bonds, sparking speculation in the market about Buffett's potential increased investment in Japan. The bond offering includes seven tranches with maturities ranging from 3 years to 30 years, at a premium to the bonds of the same tenor in April. Analysts believe that Buffett may expand his investment scope to include sectors such as banking, insurance, and shipping, which could further boost the Japanese market. Market expectations for the Bank of Japan to maintain interest rates unchanged are also affecting investor sentiment
According to the VESYNC Financial APP, "Stock God" Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A.US) is preparing to issue multiple yen bonds on Thursday, sparking speculation in the market that the legendary investor may be seeking to increase investments in Japan.
Berkshire Hathaway launched a seven-part bond deal this week with maturities ranging from 3 years to 30 years. Except for the 3-year bonds, all bonds are priced higher than the yen bonds issued by the company in April. The 10-year bond has a spread of 82 basis points over the mid-swap rate, compared to 71 basis points in April; the 20-year bond has a spread of 91 basis points, up from 78 basis points previously.
Berkshire Hathaway's fundraising plan is closely watched by stock market investors, as Buffett previously purchased shares of Japanese trading companies and helped the Nikkei 225 index reach historic highs. In his annual shareholder letter in February this year, Buffett stated that most of Berkshire Hathaway's investments in Japanese companies are financed through issuing yen bonds.
Berkshire Hathaway issues yen bonds again
If, as some analysts speculate, Berkshire's investment choices expand to include other stocks such as banks, insurance companies, and shipping companies, this could provide a further boost to the Japanese market.
Nomura strategist Tomochika Kitaoka believes that financial companies such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, and Sompo Holdings Inc. all fit the characteristics of Berkshire Hathaway's investment portfolio. However, some observers believe that given Berkshire Hathaway's recent frequent sales of Bank of America (BAC.US) shares, Buffett's focus will remain on trading companies.
This deal is also a key test of demand for yen-denominated bonds. The widening premium on long-term bonds reflects investors' cautious stance on the Japanese interest rate environment.
It is widely expected that the Bank of Japan will maintain interest rates at the next policy meeting on October 31. After Japan's new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated last week that it is currently not appropriate to raise interest rates, some economists have postponed their predictions for a rate hike by the end of the year