What Warren Buffett is buying in Japan’s Berkshire Hathaway look-alikes

The five trading firms that Berkshire has invested in — Itochu Corp., Marubeni Corp., Mitsubishi Corp., Mitsui, and Sumitomo Corp. — are the biggest of Japan’s so-called sogo-shosha, or general trading companies.
These firms have played a unique role in Japan’s economic history, from providing energy to minerals and food for a mostly mountainous archipelago with few natural resources.
Today, Japan’s trading companies derive most revenue from non-trade activities, and have built up interests in everything from logistics to real estate, frozen foods, aerospace, and newer investments such as EVs and renewable energy.

Asian stocks inch up on US debt ceiling hopes, Nikkei hits 33-year high

SINGAPORE: Asian shares rose on Friday and the dollar hung near a two-month peak as increased hopes of a deal over the U.S. debt ceiling and strong economic data lifted sentiment, while Japan's Nikkei jumped to highest in nearly 33 years.

Finally Japan came out from deflation traps.

中国最大生活资讯网裁员 近万人恐丢饭碗

号称中国最大生活资讯网《58同城》惊传裁员30%至少近万人丢饭碗。另外，北京清华大学统计，去年上半年中国倒闭企业和被注销个体户，分别高达数十万甚至数百万，显然裁员减薪潮已降临。

中媒《第一财经》报道，经过认证原本是58同城员工的职场社交平台脉脉网用户表示，公司在以N+1赔偿模式展开大规模裁员，比例高达30%至50%。

报道说：“裁员成为企业降本增效的撒手锏”，58同城这次裁员不论年资，若干资深员工也饭碗不保，预计本月下旬，还有更多58同城的部门将缩减员额，其中TEG部门和58赶集集团的裁员比例都是30%。

员工将近3万人的58同城，要是按照30%的裁撤比例估算，这回裁员可能近万人没头路。

官网显示，58同城成立于2005年12月，总部设在北京，在全中国共有27家直销分公司，业务涵盖招聘、房产、汽车、二手、本地生活服务及金融多个领域。

另外，《搜狐网》报道，单次裁掉30%员工的企业不仅是58同城，像是业界盛传万达集团也在与银行展开延期偿债谈判，更有接近万达集团的人士指出，6月前集团将开启大规模裁员，保守估计比例约30%。

消息来源透露，届时万达的高阶主管可能会降职降薪，此外高管空缺将遇缺不补，公司的人事原则上只出不进。

清华大学统计数据显示，2022年上半年中国46万家企业已倒闭，同时310万个体工商户被注销。

目前大部分行业正受不景气、疫情和明显因素影响，裁员人数还在增加，今年首季末，显然新一轮的降薪裁员潮已降临中国。（互联网照片）

Nikkei powers to Japan's 1990 'bubble' era peak

TOKYO: Japan's stock benchmark rallied on Friday to the highest since August 1990, the country's "bubble" era, driven by a confluence of positive factors from strong earnings to an economy showing signs of revving up and optimism over a U.S. debt ceiling deal.

The Nikkei benchmark index jumped as high as 30,924.57 before closing the day up 0.77% at 30,808.35, a seventh straight winning session.

The broader Topix, which had reached the post-bubble milestone on Tuesday, extended its climb to as high as 2,171.37, before ending with a more modest 0.18% gain to 2,161.69.

Japan's stock rally has been powered by an overall very strong earnings season, a weaker yen underpinned by views that the Bank of Japan will keep stimulus for longer and an economy that is starting to show signs of a post-COVID consumption revival.

Japanese car manufacturers go bankrupcy ?

欧美制裁一年 俄罗斯财长哭穷

莫斯科19日综合电）俄罗斯承认，石油和天然气收入存在“问题”，已降至多年来的最低水准，突显出西方限制的影响，这些收入是俄罗斯为乌克兰战争提供资金的主要引擎。

周三，俄罗斯财长西卢安诺夫（Anton Siluanov）在与俄罗斯总统普汀举行的公开视讯会议上承认了这些问题，他将今年第一季度能源收入下降逾50%归咎于“所有这些折扣”。

他坦言，石油、天然气收入已降至多年来最低水平，导致财政入不敷出。

《金融时报》报道，七大工业国组织（G7）分别在去年12月和今年2月对俄罗斯石油和精炼石油产品实施价格上限，导致俄罗斯石油的交易价格低于全球基准。

根据报道，俄罗斯转向非西方国家低价兜售能源，虽然近期价格折扣已缩小，但仍足以对普汀的“金库”带来压力。智库人员表示，俄罗斯收入下降的75%左右可归因于西方制裁，而非市场价格。

俄罗斯财政部数据显示，今年前4个月的能源收入暴跌至2.2兆卢比（约1245亿令吉），创下疫情大流行开始以来的最低水平，导致今年前4个月出现3.4兆卢布的财政赤字。

俄罗斯今年预算赤字严重，西卢安诺夫宣称，这种失衡是暂时的，并承诺会加以改善。

Silly CCP pushing all G7 towards US alliance.

人民币跌势扩大 贬值绿灯已亮起？

北京19日彭博电）人民币本周在破7后跌势有所提速，而且中间价未释放明显阻贬信号，亚洲周五盘初离岸人民币跌破7.07元，并迈向2月以来最大单周跌幅。

周五人民币兑美元中间价继续顺势调低，价位仅较市场预测均值微幅偏强，显示监管层仍默许人民币走软态势。离岸人民币应声下跌逾0.3%，本周累计跌幅接近1.5%，迈向2月以来最大单周下跌。在岸人民币周五亦跌向7.06元。

澳纽银行亚洲研究负责人吴坤在采访中说，“眼下决策层仍容许人民币随强美元调整，而没有出手阻拦”，这会让市场放胆继续做空人民币，并进一步寻找监管层的容忍限度。

《中国证券报》周五报导引述分析师称，近期的人民币汇率贬值幅度在可控范围内，并没有脱离年初以来的运行区间，未来有望在合理均衡水平上保持基本稳定。

人民币于本周三跌破7元后，周四日内已贬值提速，交易员反映出口商结汇趋于观望，同时做多美元的息差交易持续，包括能源进口等需求入场购汇，都对人民币形成拖累。隔夜彭博美元指数连涨3天，当前继续震荡偏升，迈向逾一个多月来最长连涨纪录。

多伦多道明银行策略师科特查（Mitul Kotecha）在采访中说，人民币跌破了7元这个重要心理关口，中国经济数据不佳当然是不利因素，但最重要的还是强势美元；中间价没有大幅偏强，也说明监管层默认贬值主要来源于强美元。

人民币中间价周五报7.0356元，为去年12月初以来首次定在7元弱方，较市场预测均值仅小幅偏强20个点。

sell more US dollar keep more Russian Ruble.

Posted by foongsh > 1 hour ago | Report Abuse

50 Billion RMB Exhausted, OPPO’s Chip Company Goes Bankrupt, 3,000 Senior Staff Are All Laid Off

https://youtu.be/liLqs9us3eA

Spent so much money all become rubbish.

Posted by supersaiyan3 > 5 hours ago | Report Abuse

Deflation much worse than inflation. Hopeless if you don't know that. lol

Obviouly this joker does not know what is deflation. lol.

osted by foongsh > 53 minutes ago | Report Abuse

Really world number 1. US has no match.

Bubble number 1, jobless number 1, loan defaule number 1.

High unemployment, property bubble burst, housing loan higher than housing price, housing loan default, deflation, supply chain restructuring, chips banned etc. forming a perfect storm. A very big contribution by CCP.

China's Youth Unemployment Rate Reaches Unprecedented High

https://youtu.be/GIPZUfYCytc

Posted by foongsh > 1 hour ago | Report Abuse

Very bad deflation everywhere and everytime. CCP supporters know this is real but could not do anything. very anxious, angry, fear.

CCP chinese bad mouth themself. it is own propagandised by CCP. Very pity.

Collapse of the Chinese Real Estate Market as Property Prices Plummet in Tier 1 Cities | Shanghai

https://youtu.be/J__eQjBeIBY

Posted by foongsh > 21 minutes ago | Report Abuse

Jobless, Property bubble burst, retired fund issue affecting banking system.

A perfect storm with deflation.

Massive Bank Strike in Shanghai! Chinese Banks Run Out of Money! Investors Divest Bank Shares

https://youtu.be/Q6xuz7Bcq3o

Posted by foongsh > 3 hours ago | Report Abuse

CCP bad mouth itself . it is own propagandised by CCP.

both qqq and nicholas99 are banana men no matter CCP don't listen to them. CCP bad mouth itself by providing bad data . it is own propagandised by CCP.

Posted by nicholas99 > 1 hour ago | Report Abuse

this fong and ID so bad. no listen to elon musk.

Better listen to your ancients to learn how to master your ancient language and culture.

离岸人民币今年首次跌破7

（香港17日彭博电）受美国经济数据强韧带动，美元走强，境外人民币兑美元在周三亚洲盘初跌破7元整数关口，为去年12月末以来首次。不过，市场和监管层都保持了冷静态度，体现当前贬值暂无失控风险。

隔夜随著彭博美元指数自日内低位反弹，境内外人民币已下跌至7元附近。周三盘初离岸品种继续小幅走低，轻松跌破7元关口。北京时间9:41，离岸报7.0038元；在岸人民币跌0.14%至6.9927元，均为12月末以来盘中新低。

美国制造业、零售及房地产数据均走强，显示经济韧性，同时联储局官员对6月份是否暂停升息仍未达成共识，隔夜美元兑其他所有G10货币全部上涨。周二中国发布的工业增加值等经济数据逊于预期，也加重了人民币汇率的短期贬值压力。

彭博行业研究首席亚洲外汇和利率策略师赵志轩在周三报告中写道，“人民币当下面临多重不利因素压制，对美元和一篮子货币都有可能承压”，这些因素包括中美利差倒挂给人民币带来的负息差、旅游业逆差的回归，以及季节性的分红购汇等。

5月以来美元再次出现反弹，对于人民币跌破前期在6.90元附近的波动区间起到助推作用。不过周三人民币中间价调弱至6.9748元，与市场预测均值保持一致，未显示监管阻碍人民币贬值的信号。

综合多位交易员，在人民币近一周重新跌向7元的过程中，客盘逢高结汇量较4月有所减少，出口企业客户观望情绪渐浓；一些有结汇需求的企业也采用卖出较短期限的看涨美元/看跌人民币期权作为替代，在押注于相对较高的结汇价格的同时，也收取期权费作为补贴。

这些做法显示出，虽然当前市场对于人民币扩大跌势、重新“破7”有所预期，但并未显露明显的担忧情绪，市场或认为后期波动无序放大的风险不高。周三早盘，美元/在岸人民币1周期隐含波动率小幅走升至3.69附近，仍接近周二盘中创下的逾一年最低水平。

Posted by foongsh > 4 minutes ago | Report Abuse

dog of CCP nobody care.

安华:经济增长超过中国 大马首季表现亚洲最好

马六甲16日讯）首相兼财政部长拿督斯里安华说，马来西亚今年首季度的经济增长已超过中国，是亚洲表现最好的国家。

他说，我国的杰出表现，主要是因为国家和平与政治稳定，而这些促使大马获得投资者的信任。

“别忘了，如果国家不安全，投资者就会避开我们，例如苏丹和巴基斯坦（因为危机）没有获得任何新投资，但大马获得新的投资，这是警队予以国安的保障。”

他今日出席冬牙峇株国会选区的“警察与社区同在”团结昌明开斋节餐会后，这么说。在场者包括甲州首席部长拿督斯里阿都拉勿、副警察总长丹斯里拉扎鲁丁等人。

安华强调，国家的安宁和政治稳定，间接吸引大企业进驻我国，比如吉利汽车、亚马逊、荣盛石化等，投资额数以千亿计算。

“在2023年首季度，我国的经济增长是亚洲最好的，超过了中国、印尼和越南。

“（我国的）投资额是东盟最高的。”

DSAI bad mouth CCP.

Posted by foongsh > 2 hours ago | Report Abuse

Telling the truth is not discrimination.

Those who does not believe could invest their fund in their Property assets and Property Stocks. qqq always big mouth without giving his physical supports.

It is too late. Negative asset. The housing loan is higher than the house value.

中国发出危险信号 青年失业率飙至20.4%

北京16日讯）中国4月份青年失业率升至20.4%的纪录高位，反映经济吸收新劳动力依然存在困难。

中国国家统计局发布的数据显示，虽然4月城镇调查失业率降至5.2%，但16-24岁青年调查失业率从3月的19.6%上升，超过去年夏季创下的19.9%的前高点。

周二出炉的一系列数据令人失望，显示债务问题和民营领域信心不足正在阻碍经济增长。而青年失业率尤为令人担忧，因为今年高校毕业生数量预计将达到1158万。

过去三年中国的劳动人口数量减少了逾4100万，其中既有疫情的影响，也有人口老龄化的影响。

Posted by foongsh > 2 minutes ago | Report Abuse

Languang is a distressed Chinese property developer that is likely to delist from th...

A perfect storm is coming.

Posted by qqq47660 > 2 minutes ago | Report Abuse

China never afraid of creative destruction. In fact creative destruction is one of China key strengths. In the 1990s, during the restructuring of soe, tens of millions were left unemployed. If u want to experience what changes means, go to China.

You can't master your ancient language, unfortunately, not suitable for you.

China's factory output, consumption highlight slack post-Covid economic momentum

BEIJING: China's April industrial output and retail sales growth undershot forecasts, suggesting the economy lost further momentum at the start of the second quarter and adding to the raft of recent data highlighting a wobbly post-COVID recovery.

China's industrial output grew 5.6% in April from a year earlier, accelerating from the 3.9% pace seen in March, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Tuesday. It was well below expectations for a 10.9% increase in a Reuters poll of analysts although it marked the quickest growth since September 2022.

Retail sales jumped 18.4%, speeding up sharply from a 10.6% increase in March for their fastest increase since March 2021. Analysts had expected retail sales to grow 21.0%.

Lost futher momentum.

拋售潮席捲全國，中國樓市更大危機加速來襲。房價暴跌，銀行緊追業主還款追要抵押物。深圳高端豪宅項目頻現價格崩盤，賣家陷入絕望。中國房產泡沫破裂！北京上海廣州深圳南京蘇州杭州二手房掛牌量狂飆上漲。失業潮

https://youtu.be/UVkqpkEKt8k

Posted by nicholas99 > 1 hour ago | Report Abuse

later i will pump air from IDQWE001 to fuel the hydrogen car.

Another guy who doesn't know his ancient language, lost his identity and culture. why still use 26 alphabets to communicate you should use your own language.

Another Chinese EV maker filed for bankruptcy

This week, the Chinese company database Tianyancha informed that EV maker Letin filed for bankruptcy. It raised the question of whether former Chinese LSEV (low-speed electric vehicle) manufacturers can compete in the upstream segment with standard electric vehicle makers. Letin is the brand name, and Reading Automobile Group Co., Ltd. is the name of the company behind it. It was founded in 2008, and in the golden age of LSEV, Letin was a sales champion, conquering 30% of the market. Between 2016 -2018, Letin sold 647,000 LSEVs in China. In 2016 it was 150,000; in 2017, 210,00; and in 2018, it was a record-breaking 287,000. If it doesn’t sound impressive enough, remember that it was seven years ago – in 2016, Tesla sold 76,000 vehicles globally. Letin’s annual sales in 2018 exceeded 12 billion yuan.

LSEV are crazy little electric moving things relying on lead-acid cells or lithium batteries for power. These vehicles have feeble engines, low safety standards a maximum speed that does not exceed 70 km/h. They were super popular in China, mainly in rural areas for older people without driving licenses. All that together made LSEVs a perfect storm of traffic safety, and you better watch when some LSEV approached you.

全球新車銷售 TOP 10 名單出爐！Toyota 穩坐冠軍寶座 Tesla 來勢洶洶.2023/05/09 15:06

全球汽車銷售 TOP 10 名單如下：
知名汽車市場研究機構《JATO Dynamics》公布 2022 年全球汽車銷售前十名，由 Toyota RAV4 以超過 101 萬輛銷售成績拿下冠軍，同時旗下共 5 款車榜上有名，成為最大贏家，而 Honda、Nissan 及 Ford 皆有車款打入前 10 名，值得注意的是電動車品牌 Tesla 也有 2 款車型入榜，說明電動車勢力正迅速崛起。
Toyota RAV4，101.6 萬輛。
Toyota Corolla Sedan，99.2 萬輛
Tesla Model Y，74.7 萬輛。
Honda CR-V，73.3 萬輛。
Toyota Camry，67.3 萬輛。
Toyota Hilux，63.2 萬輛。
Nissan Sentra，56.6 萬輛。
Toyota Corolla Cross，53 萬輛。
Ford F-150，52.5 萬輛。
Tesla Model 3，48.2 萬輛。

根據《JATO Dynamics》數據顯示，2022 年全球共賣出 7,940 萬輛新車，與 2021 年新車銷售 8,070 萬輛下降 2％，原因在於疫情影響、晶片短缺與供應鏈不穩，導致銷售下滑。其中，Toyota RAV4 以 101.6 萬輛成為 2022 年全球新車銷售冠軍，同時也是唯一超過百萬銷售的車款，而 Corolla Sedan 則以 99.2 萬輛成績居次，除此之外，Camry、Hilux 及 Corolla Cross 也進入前 10 名，讓 Toyota 穩坐全球汽車銷售寶座。

花样年债务重组计划 遭第二大股东反对

（北京13日讯）中国一家陷入债务违约困境的房地产开发商花样年拟议的债务重组计划，遭到公司第二大股东的反对。

综合澎湃新闻和彭博社星期五（5月12日）报道，花样年控股集团有限公司的第二大股东——TCL实业控股股份有限公司，反对花样年拟议的债转股计划，这是花样年债务重组计划的一个重要组成部分。花样年于今年1月公布重组计划的一些细节，公司计划将13亿美元（约58亿令吉）离岸债务转股，并延长一些债务的到期时间。若得以实施，离岸债权人将合计持有重组后花样年的52.6%股权。TCL实业将仅持股1%，其他少数股东持股仅1.4%。

这项计划债稀释了现有股东的股权。一名知情人士说，TCL实业要求少数股东和控股股东待遇相同。

这项计划要得到通过，花样年将需要召开股东大会，并获得至少50%股东投票权的支持。目前花样年的境外债重组方案同意率为76.44%。如果TCL实业一直持反对态度，那么花样年的境外债务重组将可能无法完成。

Before you worry about other country motor industry let's worry about the property industry.

研发晶片太烧钱了 OPPO决定终止 逾3000员工恐失业

北京13日中央社电）中美科技战持续升级之际，中国造芯运动再传噩耗。因为烧钱不敷成本，手机大厂OPPO周五决定终止研发晶片，关闭旗下的晶片设计公司哲库科技（ZEKU），逾3000员工面临失业。

OPPO退出后，中国手机业只剩下华为、小米自研晶片。华为此前研发出5G晶片，但因为遭美国制裁，迄今只能生产4G手机。

综合澎湃新闻、证券时报等中媒报导，不到4年时间，OPPO决定终止晶片研发业务。

OPPO周五表示，面对全球经济、手机市场的不确定性，经过慎重考虑，公司决定终止哲库ZEKU业务。

OPPO在声明中称，“这是一个艰难的决定”，会妥善处理相关事宜，并将一如既往做好产品，持续创造价值。

OPPO于2019年8月成立守朴科技，隔年改名为哲库科技，总部设在上海，并在北京、西安、成都、美国和日本等地成立设计分部，团队超过3000人。

OPPO当时喊出投入人民币500亿元做自己的手机晶片，祭出高薪在业内积极抢人，其中不少来自华为海思、高通、联发科等晶片设计龙头资深人员。

报导指出，晶片研发相当烧钱，没有规模放量来分担成本，将使得晶片成本居高不下，自研晶片远没有对外采购的晶片来得经济。

综合调研机构发布的报告，OPPO虽然在2023年第一季的智慧手机出货量居中国第一、全球第4，但中国市场第一季出货量年减13.1%，全球市场更减少14%。业界普遍预计下半年市场才会复苏

印度媒体：塔塔集团将代工苹果手机

印度‧新德里15日讯）外媒先前报道印度塔塔集团正在收购台湾电子代工大厂纬创的印度厂。印度Jagran新闻网今天引述产业报告称，塔塔集团已准备加入苹果手机大家庭，可望成为在印度第4大的苹果手机代工厂商。

Jagran新闻网引述市场研究TrendForce的报告，苹果正因地缘政治以及疫情措施而积极将手机产能移出中国，塔塔集团（Tata Group）可望因此受惠，成为继鸿海、立讯与和硕之后的第4大苹果手机代工厂商。

报道说，塔塔集团将生产iPhone15与iPhone15plus的两款手机，可望接到约5%的订单。

根据报道，在iPhone15方面，鸿海将取得70%的订单、立讯取得25%；在iPhone15plus方面，立讯将取得60%的订单、和硕占35%。

报道指出，纬创在印度卡纳塔卡省（Karnataka）设有iPhone组装厂，但2020年12月疑因薪资问题导致工人暴动，引起苹果关切。去年底开始，印度媒体陆续报道塔塔集团有意收购纬创印度厂房，但纬创并未证实。

一名要求不具名的台商告诉中央社，外商在印度代工苹果手机的利润不高，还要承担劳动管理风险及偏高进口关税，纬创若真的退场，刚好可以带走资金，算是“安全下庄”。

这名台商补充，对塔塔而言，切入苹果手机代工则是印度本土厂商首例，更是“在印度制造”（Make in India）政策的一大突破，相对毛利高且具备集团综效，因此，如果收购传闻属实，应是双赢交易。（中央社）

The philosophy of making cheap toys is fallen into medium income trap, non of the country able to make cheap products to advance into developed country. There is no advantage of labor costs compare to ASEAN countries, India and Mexico. Supply chain restruturing in manufacturing cheap products is happening.

Recession and Backlog: Houses, Cars, Phones & Liquor No Buyer Left; High IQ Crime Rate Skyrockets

https://youtu.be/JT8SPhu0J8U

Posted by foongsh > 5 hours ago | Report Abuse

qqq so anti western still want to use 26 alphabets. He forget his own culture and language. What a shame.

Taiwan GDP per capital 3 time higher. As I said qqq is shameles big mouth anti western yet communicate in English not using Chinese. He lost his identity and culture.

President Tsai Ing-wen's Global Leadership Award Acceptance Remarks

Good leader.

Official Statement: 'Israeli Hammers' suddenly appear in Ukraine! Russian fighters can't fly anymore

https://youtu.be/knHJDyajhT8

Posted by foongsh > 10 hours ago | Report Abuse

The evil Putin claimed to win the invasion within 3 weeks without proper planning. Russia becomes 3rd world country.

Evil Putin could not get the support from evil axis.

qqq couldn't master your ancient language, your parents should shame on you.

Soldiers sent to war without knowing it
In the first weeks of the war, the global news media reported that many of the soldiers drafted to fight in Ukraine weren’t actually told they were going to war.

Many were lied to about what they would face
“Russian soldiers carrying out the invasion of Ukraine were not told they were going to war and were lied to about what they would face, according to an increasing number of firsthand accounts,” wrote Insider journalist Mia Jankowicz on March 7th of 2022.

How did the world's second best military fail so badly?
Prior to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia was known as the world's second-greatest military with a combat projection power that was only rivaled by the American military.

This is the evil paper tiger.

Post removed.Why?

Posted by foongsh > 10 minutes ago | Report Abuse

Russians don't like this invasion war, someone from Russia will take over the evil Putin.

Thousands Russians died and spent billions money got nothing. Billions oversea assets got forfeited and trading got sanctions. Very pity evil old man.

Posted by foongsh > 3 minutes ago | Report Abuse

Not really may be qqq is the only i.diot converts all his asset to RMB to show his respect to his boss.

This i.diot super big mouth dare not to take risk.

A First In The War: Russian Soldiers Are Fleeing!

https://youtu.be/vIYW9rSEtx8

Posted by foongsh > 4 minutes ago | Report Abuse

Tesla still the number one sale in the world and highest profit in EV industry. Their Mexico plants set up will cater for North America market. TSMC advance ships will enable Tesla for auto pillot technology.

Tesla profit margin 15-20% with level 3 auto pilot technology 5nm chips, if cut price 10% still have very good profit with US government EV incentive.

Those countries economy rely on O&G revenue especially Russia will die kaw kaw.