Nomura Asset Management's $8604.T flagship fund, once dubbed the "¥1 Trillion Fund" due to its massive size, is undergoing significant restructuring after years of underperformance. The firm announced plans to merge the Nomura Japan Equity Strategy Fund with its long-standing Nomura Japan Open fund, aiming to address declining returns and regain investor confidence.

Why is the Fund Being Merged?

The Nomura Japan Equity Strategy Fund, launched in early 2020, initially capitalized on a booming technology sector during the IT bubble. In just a few months, the fund's net assets surged to ¥1.167 trillion (approximately $7.8 billion). However, as market conditions shifted, its performance began to decline, leading to a loss of investor interest.

Key reasons behind the fund’s restructuring include:

Capital A Berhad $AIABF, the owner of the budget airline AirAsia, recently announced a new initiative to publish its internal business objectives alongside quarterly results. This move is aimed at providing investors with a more comprehensive view of the company’s financial outlook. After facing severe repercussions due to travel restrictions implemented during the pandemic, Capital A is now striving to overcome its PN17 status and demonstrate its market resilience.

Background and Strategic Objectives  

Capital A Berhad was classified as PN17 on the Malaysian stock exchange due to the financial difficulties brought on by the pandemic. In response, the management has taken several strategic measures:

BBVA $BBVA.MC has announced a significant step forward in the development of sustainable lending, raising its target for financing sustainable enterprises to 700 billion euros over the next five years. This news follows the bank’s creation of a global financial division focused on clean technologies and innovation. BBVA’s initiative clearly demonstrates its commitment to supporting sustainable business growth in a time of increasing environmental and climate-related challenges.

New Horizons in Lending and Investment Opportunities  

BBVA is upping its aspirations by revising its sustainable enterprise financing target from the previously set 300 billion euros to 700 billion euros. This decision is driven by several key factors:  

1. The establishment of a global division dedicated to clean technologies and innovation.  

On Monday, Dutch investor Prosus $PRX.AS announced its intention to acquire all outstanding shares of Just Eat Takeaway.com $TKWY.AS for 4.1 billion euros (4.31 billion dollars). The deal, which has received unanimous support from the management and supervisory board of Just Eat, is aimed at creating a leading tech champion in European food delivery. Prosus, whose controlling stake is held by South African company Naspers $NPSNY, already owns 28% of the shares of the global food delivery leader Delivery Hero $DHER.DE.

Significance of the Deal in Today’s Food Delivery Industry

The negotiations surrounding the public offer for Just Eat Takeaway.com signal a major step for Prosus in the European market. This strategic move demonstrates the investor's ambition to expand its presence in the rapidly growing food delivery sector. Key implications of the deal include:

- Establishment of a European tech champion in food delivery

Stellantis $STLAM.MI is undergoing a significant transformation. Amid interviews for the CEO position, the Chairman of the Board, John Elkann, is focused on evaluating the future viability of the company’s 14 brands. The merger of Fiat-Chrysler and Peugeot PSA in 2021 created one of the most diverse brand portfolios in the automotive sector, offering both vast opportunities and complex challenges for this global automaker.

Stellantis Brand Portfolio – Advantages and Challenges

The extensive brand portfolio of Stellantis enables the company to target a wide range of market segments; however, this diversity also brings challenges when it comes to prioritizing strategic directions. Successful brands such as Jeep, Ram, and Peugeot are well known, while others like DS, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo are facing more difficulties in capturing consumer attention.

Key Points

The recent settlement of a lawsuit related to allegations of anti-Semitism in the workplace marks a significant milestone for Intel $INTC. Former Vice President of Engineering, John Doe, who previously took legal action after complaining about an overtly anti-Semitic superior, has now successfully resolved his case. Of particular note is the involvement of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which for the first time filed a lawsuit against a Fortune 500 company over workplace anti-Semitism.

Overview of the Dispute and Legal Proceedings

The core of the legal dispute centered on the claim that John Doe, a former Intel employee, was terminated in April last year under conditions suggestive of anti-Semitic discrimination. Key steps in the case included:

1. Filing the complaint in August 2024.

American investment giant Berkshire Hathaway Inc. $BRK-A, led by Warren Buffett, has announced plans to gradually increase its stake in five of Japan’s largest trading houses. This announcement, detailed in the company's annual shareholder letter, has caught the attention of analysts and investors alike. The move is expected to provide long-term support to the stocks of these key Japanese corporations, following a period of market challenges.

Companies in Berkshire Hathaway's Spotlight

Berkshire Hathaway first acquired stakes in Japan’s leading trading firms back in 2020. The company initially promised to keep its holdings below 10% for each firm, but this limit may now be raised. The five companies in question are: Mitsubishi Corporation $MSBHF, Mitsui & Co. $MITSY, Itochu Corporation $ITOCY, Sumitomo Corporation $SSUMY, Marubeni Corporation $MARUY. These firms, known as Japan’s "sogo shosha" (general trading companies), are massive conglomerates managing diverse businesses including energy, metals, food, and technology.

Amid record-breaking stock prices on the social media giant's market, Meta Platforms $META has decided to reduce the annual distribution of stock options for tens of thousands of employees. According to Financial Times, this move raises questions about the company's internal policies and priorities during a period of robust market performance.

Overview of the Change  

Meta Platforms has long used stock option programs as a key component of employee compensation, alongside base salaries and annual bonuses. The options accumulate and vest quarterly over a four-year period. This year, however, employees are set to receive approximately 10% fewer shares.  

The National Stock Exchange (NSE), India’s largest equity market, has recently announced a noteworthy revision to the Nifty 50 index $^NSEI, which will take effect on March 28. On this date, Zomato Ltd. $ZOMATO.NS and Jio Financial Services Ltd. $JIOFIN.NS will officially take the place of Britannia Industries Ltd. $BRITANNIA.NS and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. $BPCL.NS. This update underscores increasing investor confidence in technology-driven businesses within India’s rapidly evolving finance sector.

Major Market Adjustments

The latest changes to the Nifty 50 index signify a critical turning point for India’s stock market. The entry of Zomato and Jio Financial Services reflects the growing influence of contemporary, tech-focused companies catering to the country’s digitally-savvy generation.

The Emerging Importance of Zomato and Jio Financial Services

Supply chains for leading aircraft manufacturers Boeing $BA and Airbus $AIR.PA are showing signs of moderate improvement after facing significant challenges in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic and production halts have reshaped the dynamics of the global aviation industry. With these challenges in mind, the question arises whether the market can stabilize and fully restore the supply of necessary parts. This perspective has been echoed with optimism by Tony Douglas, CEO of the Saudi airline Riyadh Air.

Supply Chain Problems Contemporary Challenges in Aviation  

1. Pandemic and Its Aftermath  

COVID-19 emerged as a key disruptor for the supply chains of aerospace manufacturers:  

Target Corporation $TGT , a well-known American retailer recognized for its progressive stance on social initiatives, is now facing severe legal and financial repercussions. The state of Florida has filed a lawsuit against Target, accusing the company of concealing risks associated with its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This marks the first instance in U.S. history where a state has sued a major retailer over alleged mismanagement of DEI policies.  

The lawsuit raises critical questions about corporate transparency and broader debates on the role of social and environmental values in business strategy.  

Background of the Conflict  

Guzman y Gomez $GYG.AX surprised the market on Friday with an announcement that sent waves through the financial community. The Mexican fast-food chain, known for its public listing on the Australian Stock Exchange, revealed that its semi-annual core earnings fell short of analysts' expectations. This shortfall also negatively impacted U.S. sales, resulting in a drop in the company's stock price. 

Financial Metrics Under Pressure

Independent analysts' forecasts set a high bar that Guzman y Gomez could not meet. The company reported core earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of AUD 31.6 million. This figure is below the Visible Alpha consensus estimate of AUD 32.5 million and significantly less than UBS’s optimistic forecast of AUD 35.9 million.