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Abacus | Here’s some investment advice for 2022 on Japanese, Chinese and US stocks, from Tom, Dick and Harry

  • Japan might seem boring, but it could be time to reconsider the safe-haven, low inflation, low interest rate market, says Neil Newman
  • The picture in China is clouded by the relocation of Chinese listed firms from the US to Hong Kong, and the redistribution of wealth to fund ‘common prosperity’

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An electronic stock quotation board at a conference hall in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Reuters

Like most, I have a list of people I’ve been meaning to call. During the pandemic I noticed this list getting longer. And considering a phone has two ends and mine hasn’t been ringing much lately, I’m sure I am not the only one with such a list weighing on my conscience.

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So last week, I started reconnecting with three people I haven’t seen or spoken to – shamefully – for almost two years. I’ll call them Tom, Dick and Harry.

Tom and Dick are colleagues from the early 2000s in my stockbroking past, still slaving away over dealing desks. Harry is a lovely guy who is doing very nicely trading his retirement money and dabbling in real estate, while keeping in touch with his wealthy clients and, for some reason, me.

We had good conversations about life, the world, what next year might bring, and naturally, investing, since it’s a shared interest. Let me share a few common threads:

1. There is no macro-economic reason to put any money into Japan. But somehow, we sort of fancy it.
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2. While the jury is still out on Chinese stocks, and the United States looks toppy, global fund managers are underweight Japan. Maybe it’s time for a shift?

3. Chasing growth for another year may not be the best strategy for 2022.

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