Daily Brief Thematic (Sector/Industry): Ohayo Japan | S&P 500 Up Slightly and more

• US stocks rose, but consumer confidence hit a four-year low at 92.9, amid Trump tariff uncertainties; GameStop surged 6% on bitcoin adoption.
• Japan’s Nikkei rebounded to 37,780 yen; real estate stocks led gains, while BOJ signaled potential rate hikes, pushing bond yields to 1.57%.
• Citizen Watch targets 360 billion yen in sales by 2028; Mitsubishi Corp plans a 150 billion yen AI data center.

• Toyota further signalling a U-turn in its EV strategy by delaying long-range battery plant.
• Nexon very squeezy, but does something this well flagged really deserve legs?
• Activist Murakami up to his old tricks a la Pacific Metals with Ferrotec or just a tactic to shake retail?

• Goldfields makes hostile bid for Gold Road with 28% premium
• Gold Road board rejects offer, wanted to buy 50% of Gruyere from Goldfields
• Gold Road now in play, potential competition for acquisition as shareholders weigh options

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• Tata Group partners with Tesla (TSLA US) to supply critical EV components, positioning India as a key player in Tesla’s expansion.
• India crosses 1 billion tonnes of coal production in FY25, driven by PSUs, private players, and 500,000 workers.
• Hindalco Industries (HNDL IN) announces a Rs. 45,000 crore investment plan to expand in copper, aluminium, and specialty alumina sectors.

• The HHS rescheduled the CDC’s postponed February ACIP (vaccine experts panel) meeting for mid-April, with a revised agenda to include the ongoing measles outbreak.
• Flu vaccine guidelines for fall strains are not on the schedule, as the FDA issued recommendations without the usual ACIP guidance.
• The CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention is under review, which could disrupt a major funding source of HIV prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs (GILD, GSK). 

• A relatively quiet week on the policy front as the markets (seemingly) continue to grapple with elevated uncertainty and work through the implications for the economy.
• The WTR Commercial/Contract Furniture Index (-2.2%), Residential Manufacturers & Suppliers Index (-1.3%), and Home Goods Retailers Index (-2.5%) trailed the broader market indexes.
• Unsurprisingly, firms were front-running anticipated tariffs in early 2025