Executive Director, Metrical Inc

Aki Matsumoto

Executive Director

Independent Leading Corporate Governance Research

Metrical Inc

METRICAL INC. is an independent leading Corporate Governance research firm in Japan where Corporate Governance is increasingly recognized as an important element on corporate management in these days. Thus, CG research and solutions would become an essential component of global capital markets and play important to contribute to transparency of the markets and maximize shareholders’ value in Japan. 

METRICAL INC. provides Corporate Governance research and analysis including rating services, and  also offers investment research and IR services with solutions and customized profound research on CG and IR issues.

The TOPIX, also known as the Tokyo Stock Price Index, is a capitalization-weighted index of all companies listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The index is supplemented by the subindices of the 33 industry sectors. The index calculation excludes temporary issues and preferred stocks, and has a base value of 100 as of January 4, 1968.

<ul>
<li>REITs, whose main players are regional banks that invest as a bond alternative, tend to stop their market decline when the spread with JGB yields approaches 400 basis points.</li>
<li>While there is certainly room for REITs to strengthen shareholder returns, the possibility that domestic investors may want stable dividends cannot be denied.</li>
<li>Other activist investors are watching with interest to see if the shareholder activism approach works in REITs as well, but the main battleground is still listed equities.</li>
</ul>


REITs, whose main players are regional banks that invest as a bond alternative, tend to stop their market decline when the spread with JGB yields approaches 400 basis points.
While there is certainly room for REITs to strengthen shareholder returns, the possibility that domestic investors may want stable dividends cannot be denied.
Other activist investors are watching with interest to see if the shareholder activism approach works in REITs as well, but the main battleground is still listed equities.


Aiming for REITs with Lower Downside Risk and Expectations of Higher Shareholder Returns?

HarmoniQ Insights

William Mann

Independent Insight Provider

At HarmoniQ Insights, we empower investors to enhance their investment strategies by integrating cutting-edge quantitative research processes and technologies. Our solutions provide access to leading quantitative data providers and services, tailored to align with each client’s unique goals. By bridging the gap between traditional investment approaches and advanced data-driven methods, we help clients gain a competitive edge through innovation in both process and technology.

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul><li>Podcast delayed, markets rebounded last week, led by news of reduced impact of Trump's tariffs</li><li>Fed slowed pace of quantitative tightening, reducing pressure on treasury market liquidity</li><li>Bitcoin and gold prices fluctuate, Chinese stocks rebound, DAX up 20% year to date, US equities impacted by tariffs and job losses</li></ul><p><em>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.</em></p>

Podcast delayed, markets rebounded last week, led by news of reduced impact of Trump's tariffsFed slowed pace of quantitative tightening, reducing pressure on treasury market liquidityBitcoin and gold prices fluctuate, Chinese stocks rebound, DAX up 20% year to date, US equities impacted by tariffs and job lossesThis content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Tariffs, Tapering, and Tectonic Shifts: Markets Brace for April | The New Barbarians #013

Indian Equities. Global Metals and Mining

Rahul Jain

Equity Bottom-Up

APL Apollo Tubes Ltd. manufactures and exports galvanized steel tubes, galvanized steel pipes, and welded black pipes and tubes.

<ul>
<li>APL Apollo has raised its capex guidance to accelerate growth in high-margin, value-added products (VAP) and new segments like heavy structural tubes, pre-engineered buildings, and solar structures.</li>
<li>Margins have recovered from Q2 lows but remain subdued due to weak steel prices. Sales volumes have grown at an 18% CAGR.</li>
<li>Trading at 65x TTM P/E vs. a 5-year average of 50x. A strong execution track record and RoCE &gt;25% provide confidence in growth execution.</li>
</ul>


APL Apollo has raised its capex guidance to accelerate growth in high-margin, value-added products (VAP) and new segments like heavy structural tubes, pre-engineered buildings, and solar structures.
Margins have recovered from Q2 lows but remain subdued due to weak steel prices. Sales volumes have grown at an 18% CAGR.
Trading at 65x TTM P/E vs. a 5-year average of 50x. A strong execution track record and RoCE &gt;25% provide confidence in growth execution.


APL Apollo Tubes (APAT IN) Stepping up the Gas on Capacity Expansions

<ul>
<li>A Comprehensive Guide to Building AI-Powered Investment Systems: The application of Large Language Models (LLMs) in quantitative finance, focusing on the current state of LLM technology in financial applications </li>
<li>I also cover: 1. Comparative analysis of leading models                2. Implementation frameworks for production systems 3. Risk management and quality control considerations </li>
<li>Key Findings: 1. Multi-model approaches outperform single-model solutions 2. Production implementation requires robust quality controls 3. Model selection should be task-specific within the investment process </li>
</ul>


A Comprehensive Guide to Building AI-Powered Investment Systems: The application of Large Language Models (LLMs) in quantitative finance, focusing on the current state of LLM technology in financial applications 
I also cover: 1. Comparative analysis of leading models                2. Implementation frameworks for production systems 3. Risk management and quality control considerations 
Key Findings: 1. Multi-model approaches outperform single-model solutions 2. Production implementation requires robust quality controls 3. Model selection should be task-specific within the investment process 


The LLM Quant Revolution: From ChatGPT to Wall Street

Cross-Asset Thematic Strategy, Edelscourt

Albert Maass

Cross-Asset Thematic Strategy

Edelscourt

Established in 2014, Edelscourt combines cutting-edge technology with deep industry knowledge. We specialise in risk management solutions for a diverse range of clients, from financial institutions to family offices.

<ul>
<li>Fed policy choices could create two distinct market paths: a growth-driven rally if rates fall to 2-2.5% or a defensive rotation if rates stay near 5%.</li>
<li>Understanding equity as a call option explains why changing interest rates dramatically impacts sector performance and overall market returns.</li>
<li>Practical strategies exist for navigating both scenarios, focusing on portfolio positioning that can adapt to either Fed outcome.</li>
</ul>


Fed policy choices could create two distinct market paths: a growth-driven rally if rates fall to 2-2.5% or a defensive rotation if rates stay near 5%.
Understanding equity as a call option explains why changing interest rates dramatically impacts sector performance and overall market returns.
Practical strategies exist for navigating both scenarios, focusing on portfolio positioning that can adapt to either Fed outcome.


The Fed's Next Move: How Interest Rates Will Make or Break Your Portfolio

Smorgasbord of free to read Insights on Smartkarma

Unpaywalled Insights
Smorgasbord of free to read Insights on Smartkarma

Aiming for REITs with Lower Downside Risk and Expectations of Higher Shareholder Returns?

I would like to discuss the issues on the February 26 Nikkei article, “Overseas Investors Interested in REITs Despite BOJ's Rate Hike; Market...

Metrical Inc

Tariffs, Tapering, and Tectonic Shifts: Markets Brace for April | The New Barbarians #013

Due to market volatility, the podcast will be delayed, with stocks rebounding last week and continuing to rise today, especially with the Dow up...

William Mann

APL Apollo Tubes (APAT IN) Stepping up the Gas on Capacity Expansions

APL Apollo raises capex to drive growth in high-margin products, despite subdued margins from weak steel prices. Strong execution track record and...

Rahul Jain

The LLM Quant Revolution: From ChatGPT to Wall Street

Please see the AI Agent Podcast explanation of this paper here: https://youtu.be/11A2tremqm0?si=VUMm6WhWGEQRRkNU If you enjoy this podcast, please...

William Mann

The Fed's Next Move: How Interest Rates Will Make or Break Your Portfolio

Fed choices will drive markets: growth stocks thrive if rates fall to 2-2.5%, while energy and utilities lead if rates stay high. Smart investors...

Albert Maass

Aiming for REITs with Lower Downside Risk and Expectations of Higher Shareholder Returns?

I would like to discuss the issues on the February 26 Nikkei article, “Overseas Investors Interested in REITs Despite BOJ's Rate Hike; Market...

Metrical Inc

Tariffs, Tapering, and Tectonic Shifts: Markets Brace for April | The New Barbarians #013

Due to market volatility, the podcast will be delayed, with stocks rebounding last week and continuing to rise today, especially with the Dow up...

William Mann

APL Apollo Tubes (APAT IN) Stepping up the Gas on Capacity Expansions

​APL Apollo raises capex to drive growth in high-margin products, despite subdued margins from weak steel prices. Strong execution track record and...

Rahul Jain

The LLM Quant Revolution: From ChatGPT to Wall Street

Please see the AI Agent Podcast explanation of this paper here: https://youtu.be/11A2tremqm0?si=VUMm6WhWGEQRRkNU If you enjoy this podcast, please...

William Mann

The Fed's Next Move: How Interest Rates Will Make or Break Your Portfolio

Fed choices will drive markets: growth stocks thrive if rates fall to 2-2.5%, while energy and utilities lead if rates stay high. Smart investors...

Albert Maass

APL Apollo raises capex to drive growth in high-margin products, despite subdued margins from weak steel prices. Strong execution track record and...