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Investing.com-- Bank of America (BofA) analysts highlighted several Japanese stocks as top picks following strong third-quarter earnings, emphasizing their robust performance and potential for continued growth.
BofA analysts stressed the importance of earnings reliability and quality in stock selection, particularly as overseas investor inflows slow.
Analysts pointed to companies that exceeded market expectations, showing recurring profit growth of at least 10% and maintaining guidance progress rates above 80% without any fiscal year corporate downgrades.
These firms also demonstrated high earnings visibility, which is crucial for sustaining investor confidence, BofA analysts wrote.
Among the highlighted stocks were Toyota (NYSE:TM) Motor Corp (H:7203), Sony Corp (TYO:6758), Sumitomo Mitsui Financial (TYO:8316), Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Financial Group Inc (TYO:8411), and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO:4502).
Toyota posted a 56.2% rise in recurring profit compared to market consensus, supported by a robust product lineup and cost-efficiency measures, analysts said.
Sony (NYSE:SONY) benefited from strong growth in its gaming and entertainment segments, showing a 20.8% earnings beat. The company’s diversified revenue streams provide stability, making it a preferred choice for investors, according to BofA.
In the financial sector, Sumitomo Mitsui (NYSE:SMFG) and Mizuho showed solid profit growth, driven by higher net interest margins and effective cost controls, analysts said.
Meanwhile, they noted that Takeda Pharmaceutical delivered an impressive 149.6% increase in recurring profit, boosted by strong sales of its key drugs and a strategic global expansion.
Looking ahead, BofA remains optimistic about Japanese equities, particularly in sectors like IT services, gaming, and financials, which are less impacted by external factors.
BofA also recommend holding quality cyclical stocks in anticipation of a potential market rally around April to June.
This strategic approach underscores the significance of selecting stocks with reliable earnings as the market navigates uncertainties, including US tariffs and fluctuating interest rate expectations in Japan, analysts added.