Bloomberg's Takeover Bid for BlackBerry, the Business Mobile Marriage

Now that JPMorgan and RBC have been hired as investment banking advisers to actively find a sale for BlackBerry, when will a Bloomberg bid or talks about it finally be released?

Emerging markets in Asia and the business community are now re-signing with BlackBerry after the Z10/Q10 release gained solid traction. Bloomberg has a solid core of 300,000 direct-terminal users worldwide, with over 900,000 when including shared access. Bloomberg also has a magazine readership with Businessweek worldwide in a variety of languages that will serve as a core consumer base for Bloomberg.

Since the release of the Z10 with its fast OS and full size smartphone look, smart phone users finally have a new larger screen to upgrade. The Q10 has the same faster OS but with the traditional keyboard that long-term loyal BlackBerry users AKA "CrackBerry" users like the president of the United States, Barack Obama prefer. This may not move the needle within traditional US markets, but if growth can be found in fast growing markets and slowly regain the business user in North America and Europe that could be the best way forward for BlackBerry.

Few outside of finance know but Bloomberg has been encouraging financial third parties to create special APPs; mainly for BlackBerry users that would smoothly integrate Bloomberg financial data at a corporate level for various banks and securities firms. The Android wave of growth has been strong and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) has even started within financial firms, but no major mobile virus has spread yet. This BlackBerry security advantage will be another reason for Bloomberg to takeover BlackBerry and ensure a secure mobile future for the most secure business platform.

Long before Facebook, Bloomberg was already the oldest Social Media platform making BlackBerry a logical extension.

Lets hope JPMorgan or RBC will announce the talks once they begin as it seems to be the most logical takeover bid for both sides.

For more Buy-Side and Sell-Side roles in Asia-Pacific, contact our TMJ Partners Japan & Asia Finance team.

Tokyo                                                              Tokyo

      Mark Pink                                            Shinichi Nagasawa

What Does It Take To Be An Equity Sales Trader In Japan

Another innovative, fun and fresh way to communicate your job description.

Interested in learning more?  Contact us at resume@tmjpartners.com to learn more.

For more Buy-Side and Sell-Side roles in Asia-Pacific, contact our TMJ Partners Japan & Asia Finance team.

Tokyo                                                           Tokyo

        Mark Pink                                             Shinichi Nagasawa 

Massive Inflow into Japan, Often from China Redemptions

Last week was July 31st, the last chance for many long only and hedge fund portfolio managers to justify returns on capital before a redemption decision.  Most investors have a 30-45 day notice cycle if they want to take their money back before the end of a quarter. If investors see a better return on capital from October 1st, that means in many cases they have to redeem between August 15 - 30. In fact, investors are looking to massively move China dedicated capital into Japan.

If you are running a portfolio as a hedge fund prop trader or a long only fund manager, these dates are important as they determine your income. No major money to run means no major bonus to look forward to.  Some poor performers always get nervous around redemption time. It is the season for excuses.  The industry knows the rules, and if you are a "beta jockey" riding a positive wave, your luck will end, and so will your capital base.  Only "Alpha PMs" win long term in this game.  Winning performers gain the most capital when returns have to be counted and allocated.

This year has been one of change: last December 2012 was a warning short for Japanese markets - a new prime minister, one of many, was actually going to change things for the better. If you heard that message early you rode a huge wave of positive beta first and booked positive alpha later.  Many Pan-Asia PMs that we speak to have debated how long Japan will have legs and if a China collapse will take place.  If you thought Japan would be a little pop you were wrong.  If you thought China would collapse you were wrong again.  The winners in the mix have seen China as dead money this year and moved capital allocations into Japan. Then these true "Alpha Players" of the market today picked shorts over the last three months and booked more profits for Japan.

At TMJ Partners, we listen to the Alpha players everyday, and contrast their opinions with the beta jockeys soon to be forgotten. Our professional market observations & insight let our financial clients know where to be before their rivals, and stay profitable. When it comes to client focus it is always win/win.

For more Buy-Side and Sell-Side roles in Asia-Pacific, contact our TMJ Partners Japan & Asia Finance team.

Tokyo                                                              Tokyo

    Mark Pink                                              Shinichi Nagasawa