Sumitomo Mitsui Finl Gr Stock (NYSE: SMFG)

Sumitomo Mitsui Finl Gr (NYSE:SMFG) Stock

Sumitomo Mitsui Finl Gr

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group is roughly tied with Mizuho Financial Group for the status of Japan's second-largest bank after Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. As of March 2024, its market share of domestic loans was 7.2%, compared with 8.0% for MUFG. It has a larger consumer finance business than the other two megabanks, owning 100% of the Promise business and SMBC Card. It also controls one of Japan's largest leasing companies and SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the top five aircraft lessors globally. In securities, its SMBC Nikko unit is Japan's third-largest retail broker, although SMFG has lagged somewhat in institutional securities business and asset management.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc Unsponsored American Depositary Shares (Japan)

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc

What began quietly years ago has grown into a defining long-term play for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>), as the company signals no intention of slowing down or reassessing its $20 billion bet on Japanese trading companies, amid a changing macro climate. 
What Happened: On Saturday, during Berkshire&#8217;s annual shareholder meeting, Warren Buffett addressed a question from the audience regarding the company's investments in Japan and his outlook on the same in light of a potential interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan.
Buffett said he was unfazed by the macro backdrop, stating, &#8220;I'll let the people of Japan determine their best course of action in terms of economics.&#8221; 
He then went on to reaffirm his confidence in the five Japanese trading companies, Mitsubishi (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSBHF#OTC">MSBHF</a>), Marubeni (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARUY#OTC">MARUY</a>), Mitsui (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MITSY#OTC">MITSY</a>), Sumitomo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMFG#NYSE">SMFG</a>) and Itouchi (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITOCY#OTC">ITOCY</a>), while expressing continued optimism about both their prospects and the broader Japanese economy.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45185944/warren-buffett-shares-surprising-advice-for-young-investors-and-its-not-about-stocks-who-you-associate-with-is-just-enormously-important">Warren Buffett Shares Surprising Advice for Young Investors—And It&#8217;s Not About Stocks: &#8216;Who You Associate With Is Just Enormously Important&#8217;</a>
Buffett noted that when he first acquired stakes in these trading houses six years ago, they were &#8220;selling at ridiculously low prices.&#8221; His conviction deepened over time, he added, as he got to know the companies and their leadership teams better.
&#8220;Japan's record has been extraordinary,&#8221; he said, pointing to the strong presence of several major American companies in the region, including several Berkshire holdings like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>), and American Express Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>).
Buffett added that &#8220;in the next 50 years, we won't give a thought to selling those [Japanese trading houses] positions,&#8221; underscoring not only his own long-term conviction but also that of Berkshire Vice Chairman, and his newly appointed successor, Greg Abel.
Abel followed up by saying, &#8220;It's been a very good investment, but we really envision holding the investment for 50 years or forever,&#8221; adding that he hopes to &#8220;do big things with them globally.&#8221;
Why It Matters: Early last month, Berkshire was preparing another round of yen-denominated bond issuance, reportedly aimed at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44601574/warren-doubles-down-on-japan-another-yen-bond-blitz-amid-growing-us-market-volatility">refinancing maturing debt</a> and increasing its stakes in its Japanese plays.
Former Vice Chairman Charlie Munger had described the investment as a &#8220;no-brainer,&#8221; pointing to Japan's <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/02/43441032/charlie-munger-praised-buffetts-20b-no-brainer-investment-in-japan-like-having-god-just-opening-a-chest-and-pouring-money-into-it">ultra-low borrowing rates</a>, around 0.50%, and the attractive dividend yields of over 5% offered by the trading houses. 
The company reported its first-quarter results on Saturday, with operating earnings falling 14% year-over-year to $9.6 billion. The decline was primarily due to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45183890/berkshire-hathaways-q1-2025-earnings-plunge-amid-tariff-concerns-operating-profit-fell-14-cash-hit-a-record">$1.1 billion hit</a> to underwriting profits from wildfires in Southern California during the quarter.
Price Action: Berkshire shares were up 1.80% on Friday, and are up 0.35% after hours following the company&#8217;s first quarter results, according to data from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro. </a>
Read More: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45187070/warren-buffett-retires-after-decades-of-dominancefrom-tim-cook-to-mark-cuban-worlds-top-business-leaders-react-to-the-investment-icons-exit">&#8216;Curtain Call For The Captain:&#8217; Tim Cook, Bill Gates, Mark Cuban And Other Top Business Leaders React As Warren Buffett Bows Out</a></li>
</ul>
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Warren Buffett And His Successor Greg Abel Say Berkshire Hathaway Could Hold This $20B Bet For '50 Years Or Forever'

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Shares of US-listed Japanese banking companies are trading higher amid US-Japan trade negotiations. Japan's adjusted trade balance data may indicate strength in the Yen, which may support BOJ policymaker desires.

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Shares of companies in the broader financial services sector are trading lower as stocks pull back after surging Wednesday following President Trump's tariff pause announcement.

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Shares of banking companies are trading higher following President Trump's decision to implement a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all countries except China.

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Shares of banking companies are trading lower as markets react to President Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs.

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Shares of banks and financial services stocks are trading lower following greater-than-expected inflation data measured through the PCE price index for February, while personal spending missed estimates. Additionally, recent tariff announcements may be weighing on equities.

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Shares of several banking and broader financial stocks are trading higher in sympathy with overall market sentiment after the Fed policy decision to keep rates unchanged.

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Shares of banks and financial services stocks are trading higher amid an overall market rebound following recent weakness.

Shares of US-listed Japanese banking companies are trading higher on weaker US economic data. The Bank of Japan may raise interest rates in response to February's PPI data to reach the country's 2% inflation target.

Shares of banking stocks are trading lower amid economic worries driven by tariffs and trade policies. Investors may be expecting a decline in investment and consumer spending, which may also be weighing on the industry.

Editor&#8217;s Note: This story has been updated to correctly identify Mitsubishi Corporation as one of Japan's five largest trading houses.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/warren-buffett">Warren Buffett </a>gave Japan Inc. another stamp of approval and the market is eating it up. Shares of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/japan">Japan's</a> five largest trading houses surged up to 9% after the Oracle of Omaha signaled Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) is eyeing bigger stakes.
Mitsubishi Corporation (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSBHF#OTC">MSBHF</a>) led the pack, climbing nearly 9%, while Mitsui &amp; Co (OTCPK:MITSY), Marubeni Corp (OTCPK:MARUF) (OTCPK:MARUY), Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMFG#NYSE">SMFG</a>) and Itochu Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITOCF#NYSE">ITOCF</a>) all jumped between 4% and 7.5%, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/431a648e-851e-49f7-a37b-e862f4c19474">reported</a> the Financial Times.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Buffett&#8217;s Billion-Dollar Bet Gets Bigger</h2>
Buffett's love affair with Japan is nothing new. Back in 2020, Berkshire quietly snapped up 5% stakes in each of these trading giants, shelling out $6 billion. Fast forward to today and those holdings are worth $23.5 billion.
Related: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43906366/warren-buffetts-berkshire-boosts-bets-on-five-japanese-companies-admiration-has-consistently-grown-says-oracle-of-omaha-in-letter-to-shareholders">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire Boosts Bets On 5 Japanese Companies: Oracle Of Omaha Says Admiration &#8216;Has Consistently Grown&#8217;</a>
Now, with the 10% ownership cap lifted, Buffett's annual letter made it clear: "You will likely see Berkshire's ownership of all five increase somewhat." 
Translation? Buffett's doubling down.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Trading Houses? Think Private Equity, Buffett Style</h2>
Why does he love these stocks? 
Think of them as Japan's private equity powerhouses with portfolios spanning convenience stores, salmon farms, infrastructure and tech startups.
Jefferies analyst Thanh Ha Pham calls them &#8220;the private equity of Japan&#8221; but with a Buffett-approved long-term horizon.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ETFs, Stocks Riding The Buffett Wave</h2>
For ETF investors, Buffett's Japan bet shines a light on three key funds. 
The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWJ#NYSE">EWJ</a>) is up 2.64% year-to-date, while JPMorgan's BetaBuilders Japan ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBJP#NYSE">BBJP</a>) has climbed 2.37%. But the real standout? 
The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DXJ#NYSE">DXJ</a>), which boasts a 3.98% gain over the past year.
The Buffett effect is real and it's not just the trading houses riding the wave.
Sony (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>) has soared 44% in the past year, while Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMFG#NYSE">SMFG</a>) is up nearly 40%. Even Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MUFG#NYSE">MUFG</a>) has posted a stellar 24.6% annual gain.
With Japan's corporate reforms, rising dividends and Buffett's backing, this might just be the start of a long-term bull run.
For investors, ignoring Japan now could be like skipping Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) in 2003 &#8211; a mistake Buffett himself vowed never to repeat.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/02/43893016/rising-inflation-in-japan-3-etfs-to-watch-as-boj-navigates-rate-hike-expectations">Rising Inflation In Japan: 3 ETFs To Watch As BOJ Navigates Rate Hike Expectations</a></li>
</ul>
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Buffett's Japan Play: Why Investors Shouldn't Sleep On These Stocks, ETFs (CORRECTED)

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Shares of banking and financial services stocks are trading higher following strong bank earnings.

Sunitomo Mitsui shares are trading higher after the company announced a successful share repurchase.

Sunimoto Mitsui Financial Group shares are trading higher after the company released its Q2 financials.

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