Nomura Q4 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
April 26, 2024

There are 3 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good day, everyone, and welcome to today's Nomura Holdings 4th Quarter and Full Year Operating Results for Fiscal Year Ending March 2024 Conference Call. Please be reminded that today's conference call is being recorded at the request of the hosting company. Should you have any objections, you may disconnect at this point in time. During the presentation, all the telephone lines are placed for listen only mode. The question and answer session will be held after the presentation.

Operator

Please note that this telephone conference contains certain forward looking statements and other projected results, which involve known and unknown risks, delays, uncertainties and other factors not under the company's control, which may cause actual results, performance or achievement of the company to be materially different from the results, performance or other expectations implied by those projections. Such factors include economic and market conditions, political events and the investor sentiment, liquidity of secondary market, level and volatility of interest rates, currency exchange rates, security valuations, competitive conditions and size, number and timing of transactions. With that, we would like to begin the conference. Mr. Takumi Kitamura, Chief Financial Officer.

Operator

Please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Good evening. This is Takumiki Tomura, CFO of Nomura Holdings. I will now give you an overview of results for the Q4 and full year of the fiscal year ended March 24. Please turn to Page 2. First, our full year results.

Speaker 1

As you can see on the bottom left, given net revenue increased 17% year on year, JPY 1,562,000,000,000. Pretax income grew 83% to 273,900,000,000 yen EPS was 52.69 yen and ROE for the year was 5.1%. The first half of the year kicked off with the failure of regional banks in the U. S. And issues around the U.

Speaker 1

S. Debt ceiling. This, coupled with monetary tightening of central banks around the world and spiking oil prices, led to continued uncertainty in fixed income markets. Equities markets were generally solid, but concerns around the higher rates for longer resulted in a correction centered on high-tech stocks towards the end of the half year period. As we moved into the second half of the year, inflation in the U.

Speaker 1

S. East, and we started to see an exit from the sharp rate hikes in the past 2 years. Into 20 24, the Fed hinted at 3 rate cuts leading to robust trading among market participants. In spite of some market jitters since mid March, the business environment has generally been favorable. Interest in the Japanese market surged over the past year due to deflation ending, speculation of a shift on BOJ policy and structural reforms to boost profitability of Japanese companies.

Speaker 1

The Nikkei hit a record high and introduction of the new NISA scheme in 2024 looks to have finally prompted a full fledged shift from savings to asset building. Against this backdrop, 3 segment income before income taxes increased 123% to 236,800,000,000 yen underpinned by gains across all business divisions. Retail income before income taxes grew 3.7x to 122,700,000,000 yen representing the highest level in 8 years since fiscal year 'fifteen, 'sixteen. Sales were higher across all products and services, thanks partly to the market rally, but also to the major realignment of our people in spring last year, delivering results quicker than expected. Our shift to an asset management recurring business model is progressing smoothly.

Speaker 1

Stable recurring revenue has roughly doubled in the past 8 years, while divisional costs have declined by nearly 10%, resulting in an increase in our recurring revenue cost coverage ratio from 28% to 55%. Investment Management has seen steady growth in its asset management business. Annual net inflows were 3,800,000,000,000 yen, taking assets under management to 89,000,000,000,000 yen. Both numbers are trending above our fiscal year 2024, 2025 KPI target. Business revenue, which represents stable revenues, increased 14% year on year.

Speaker 1

Investment gains doubled over the past year. As a result, pre tax income increased 38% year on year to 60,200,000,000 yen. Wholesale income before income taxes increased 84% to JPY 53,900,000,000 Our international business faced challenges during the first half of the year, but momentum picked up in the second half. Global Markets net revenue increased 8% year on year on improved performance in spread products such as securitized products and credit as well as in equity products. Investment Banking was up against a difficult environment as global fee pools remain depressed, having dropped by over 40% since the peak in fiscal 'twenty one and 'twenty two.

Speaker 1

That said, we leveraged our robust client base in Japan and our global franchise to support many transactions throughout the year. As a result, Investment Banking net revenue was at the highest level since the year ended March 'seventeen when comparisons are possible. Today, we also announced a dividend of 15 yen per share for shareholders on record as of end of March. This translates to an annual dividend of yen 23 per share. Next, please turn to Page 3 for an overview of our 4th quarter results.

Speaker 1

All the percentage figures I mentioned from now on refer to quarter on quarter comparisons. Group net revenue increased 11 percent to 445,100,000,000 yen and pretax income grew 17% to 92,100,000,000 yen Net income was up 12% to 56,800,000,000 yen EPS was 18.02 yen and ROE, 6.8%. As you can see on the bottom right, three segment income before income taxes was 77,100,000,000 yen 77,100,000,000 yen as Retail revenue growth momentum continued since bottoming out in the April to June quarter of 'twenty two and the Asset Management business and Investment Management performed well. Please turn to Page 6 for an overview of results in each business, starting with retail. Net revenue in retail grew 6% to 108 point 8,000,000,000 and income before income taxes increased 21 percent to RMB 38,800,000,000.

Speaker 1

Stable recurring revenue reached a record high of RMB 41,800,000,000, partly driven by advisory fees booked every 6 months. Our recurring revenue cost coverage ratio for the quarter was 60%. Flow revenue reached RMB 67,000,000,000. We saw strong growth in sales of equities and investment trends, thanks to the successful realignment of our sales partners combined with Japan stock market rally and uptick in investor sentiment on the back of introduction of the new NISA scheme. Please turn to Page 7 for an outline of sales by product.

Speaker 1

Total sales jumped 33 percent to 6,200,000,000,000 yen. Sales of equities surged 43% to 4,500,000,000,000 yen and sales of secondary stocks grew strongly. Investment Trust sales were up 26% to JPY 760,000,000,000. As shown on the bottom right, we booked inflows into publicly offered funds that invest in private equity and global equity funds. Please turn to Page 8 for an update on progress against KPI targets.

Speaker 1

Net inflows of recurring revenue assets were RMB103,500,000,000 as shown on the top left. Although the Corporate Clients section reported a slowdown in inflows as clients sold to lock in gains, net inflows excluding this were JPY 235,300,000,000, demonstrating continued strong momentum. Recurring revenue assets reached a record high of 23,000,000,000 yen as you can see here on the top right. This led to an uplift in stable recurring revenues. Flow business line numbers shown on the bottom left stood at approximately RMB 1,690,000,000, which is above our KPI target for the year ending March 2025.

Speaker 1

In addition to the positive impact of realigning our sales partners, the market rally and introduction of new NISA scheme led to more investment opportunities and uptick in trading line clients. Our workplace business is trending well. We now provide around 3,630,000 services. Next, please turn to Page 9 for Investment Management. Net revenue increased 12% to 43,600,000,000 yen and income before income taxes grew 14% to 17,800,000,000 yen.

Speaker 1

As you can see on the bottom left, stable business revenue was 38,000,000,000 yen, the highest quarterly revenue since the division was established in April 21. The Asset Management business had a strong quarter and Nomura, Babrock and Brown continued the revenue growth with higher sales of aircraft leases. Investment gains was RMB5.6 billion roughly unchanged from last quarter. Please turn to page 10 for an update on the asset management business which generates the division's business revenue.

Speaker 2

The top left shows assets under management at the end of March at 89,000,000,000,000 yen, marking the 5th straight quarter of record highs and trending well above our March 2025 KPI target of 75,800,000,000,000 yen On the bottom left, you see net inflows for the quarter of 1,100,000,000,000 yen of which Investment Trust Business booked JPY 780,000,000,000 of inflows and Investment Advisory and International Businesses booked JPY 350,000,000,000 of inflows. Investment Trust business booked JPY 300,000,000,000 of inflows into Japan bond and stock ETFs and inflows of JPY 260,000,000,000 into MRFs and other money market funds, underscoring a gradual buildup of individual's idle funds. Excluding ETFs and MRFs, we booked 230,000,000,000 yen of inflows mostly into publicly offered funds that invest in private equity and global equity funds. The Investment Advisory and International businesses reported outflows from Japan Equity Funds amid the market rally, while internationally, we continue to book inflows into U. S.

Speaker 2

High yield bond funds and India Equity Funds. On the bottom right, alternative assets under management grew steadily to 1,900,000,000,000 yen driven by private equity funds I just mentioned. Please turn to Page 11 for an update on our wholesale business. Wholesale net revenue grew 17% to 254 point 2,000,000,000 yen The first half of the quarter started off with an optimistic mood among market participants over expectations of rate cuts, but towards the end of the quarter, inflation reemerged and there were growing concerns of geopolitical risks. Amid this, we were able to support our clients and both Global Markets and Investment Banking booked stronger revenues.

Speaker 2

As you can see on the bottom right, all regions posted higher revenues. Expenses rose 20 percent to 233,600,000,000 yen in addition to higher variable costs in line with performance. A number of special factors and the year end factors also had an impact. Specifically, we booked a loss provision of around JPY 14,000,000,000 arising from transaction failures with a broker counterparty cost for equity compensation linked to our share price increase due to a rise in our share price and for year end factors, costs for decommissioning IT and other intangible fixed assets increased. These factors resulted in a total cost increase of just over JPY 20,000,000,000.

Speaker 2

As a result, wholesale income before income taxes declined 10% to JPY 20,600,000,000 Our 4th quarter cost income ratio was 92%, but excluding the special factors and the year end factors I just mentioned, it was between 80% 85%, which shows we have been able to keep costs under control. Please turn to Page 12 for an update on each business line. Global Markets revenue. Net revenue increased 19 percent to 204,400,000,000 yen Fixed income net revenue was up 18 122,600,000,000 yen driven by uptick in market activity in EMEA and the Americas. By product, macro products delivered stronger revenue the rates business business revenue increase in EMEA and the Americas on improved performance of agency mortgage and on contributions from SSA bonds in spread products, securitized products revenue grew for the 5th straight quarter.

Speaker 2

Credit revenues slowed in Japan due to a drop in foreign bond investments due to the sharp yen depreciation and AEJ revenues were also down due to the muted performance in the China market. Equity's net revenue increased 20% to JPY 81,900,000,000. Equity Products had a good quarter with Japan revenues increasing strongly on contributions from sales of Kixya Holdings and Euro Yen CV transactions. EMEA and AEJ also posted higher revenues. Please turn to Page 13 for Investment Banking.

Speaker 2

Net revenue grew 10% to 49,800,000,000 yen which is the best quarterly revenue performance since the year ended March 2017 when comparisons are possible. All these international regions booked stronger revenues. Although Japan slowed from a particularly strong prior quarter, revenues remained elevated. Advisory also slowed from a strong previous quarter, but as you see on the top right, we collaborated globally and were involved in many cross border deals. Financing and Solutions revenues were up as ALF performance improved and international solutions transactions and sales of shareholdings in Japan contributed to revenues.

Speaker 2

Please turn to Page 14 for an overview of non interest expenses. Group wide non interest expenses increased 10% to 353,000,000,000 yen Compensation and benefits edged up 4% to 177,100,000,000 yen Although bonus provisions were down, the increase was due to the higher deferred compensation I mentioned earlier. Other expenses totaled JPY 57,900,000,000. This includes higher business related third party fees and the 14,000,000,000 yen loss provision I mentioned. Please turn to Page 15 for an update on financial position.

Speaker 2

The table on the bottom left shows Tier 1 capital of JPY 3,500,000,000,000 and risk weighted assets of JPY 19,000,000,000,000, giving a Tier 1 capital ratio of 18.2 percent and the common equity Tier 1 ratio of 16.2%. As such, our financial position remains robust. That concludes the overview of our 4th quarter results. To conclude, over the past year, each business was able to deliver steady results as we tapped into our strength in our home market with structural changes as a tailwind and we leveraged revenue opportunities in our international business. In 2024, we have seen a full fledged shift in individuals' money from savings to asset building as Nikkei reached a record high, the new Nissan scheme launched and inflation appeared.

Speaker 2

In just 3 months, the amount of sales of NISA through us is nearly the same as last full year. In February, there were days when our contact centers fielded over 50,000 inquiries. This shows the increasing incredibly large interest there is in investing now. From April, we have changed the name of our retail division to wealth management to better reflect the reality of the business. Although the market is going through a correction in April, it is in times of uncertainty like this, that information and advice takes on greater added value and the role we have to play becomes more important by providing comprehensive asset management services while operating in the markets.

Speaker 2

We have been able to maintain revenues at the level of the strong Q4. In wholesale, we have confirmed that our franchise can capture revenue upside as the markets recover. Revenues are growing in securitized products, equity products and risk like businesses such as Investment Banking and International Wealth Management. We have also made progress in diversifying our revenue mix. 4th quarter revenues of approximately JPY 250,000,000,000 was to some extent, inflated by yen depreciation.

Speaker 2

But on a dollar basis, excluding currency translation, revenues have recovered to the level they were at 2 years ago when central banks started tightening. Business has been strong in April, driven by rates, credit and Americas equity products with revenues maintaining at 4th quarter level and the performance momentum continuing. We continue to stringently manage our cost base. The 20,000,000,000 yen cost reduction target in retail is likely to be fully completed by March 2025. And in wholesale, we are implementing various cost reduction programs across front to back and have been able to mostly offset increased costs from strategic hiring and higher fixed costs due to inflation.

Speaker 2

We will continue to tightly control costs through structural reform initiatives. So that's our Q4 and the full year performance.

Operator

If we want to cancel our question, press sharp 7.

Speaker 1

The first question is by SMBC Nikko Securities, Muraki san. Please go ahead. In SMBC Nikko Securities, Muraki, I have two questions. First, Europe, JPY 14,000,000,000

Speaker 2

loss

Speaker 1

due to counterparty failure of settlement. Can you elaborate on the situation? How did this situation emerge? 3 years ago in the United States, due to credit to a certain client, loss was booked and you improved risk management. So in the context of counterparty failure, is that something that is impossible to avoid?

Speaker 1

That's my first question. And second question, Investment Banking, this time on Page 13, UKG Upride Systems since January, leveraged loan markets resumed and leveraged loan arrangement transactions were booked, which contributed to revenues. Since April, what has been the situation? Can we expect more of these transactions to come and continue? And what about the revenues from proceeds of selling your holdings?

Speaker 1

In Q3, Dentsu with sales to retail that contributed to group revenues. But are these mainly broad transactions in terms of contributions? Again, we expect that proceeds from sales of your holdings will increase? What is the expected opportunities since April? Thank you very much.

Speaker 1

To answer your first question first, in February of this year, U. K. Subsidiary Instinet Europe encountered this transaction. U. K.

Speaker 1

Broker mandated us for sales of equity, but there was failure of settlement payment in our transactions with this broker. We have settled all of the transactions with this broker and all of the losses had been booked in Q4 emerging from this transaction and we are currently studying how we can recover the losses, the credit. Overseas, there are some incidents of failure of settlement and it's not so rare that this kind of situation occurs. Ordinarily, between brokers with whom we do various transactions, this could happen from time to time and it's not so extraordinary. But failure by broker breaking the transaction through lack of performance of payment is a rare case.

Speaker 1

And it's not the fact that we are responding to all of these incidents. But as far as this broker is concerned, we've booked all of the losses in the Q4. Muraki san, you said the previous case, but the nature of this incident is completely different and the broker is a broker registered to the authorities of the government. And so it was a very rare case. Responding to your second question, leverage finance as a market, finally, we are beginning to see signs of revival.

Speaker 1

In March, many potential transactions popped up. Financial sponsors began to become more active. Most of these transactions were for refinancing purposes, which is the character of the deals. Best effort based deals. So refinancing our proportion.

Speaker 1

So in terms of the deals, they were quite attractive. So is this going to become a big trend? And are we seeing many similar transactions in the pipeline? We wouldn't go as far as to say there are many in the pipeline, but we are beginning to see signs of recovery. So we are beginning to have optimistic views and prospects.

Speaker 1

Regarding the sales of our policy holdings, we have high expectations. Corporate governance code has been made robust and each companies in Japan's corporate sector are proceeding with selling their policy holdings, as you are well aware. Nomura's strong franchise in Japan means that there is high likelihood that we will be engaging in such business opportunities. So in that sense, we have bright prospects for such business opportunities. Thank you.

Speaker 2

The next question comes from ACV Securities, Otsuka san. Thank you. I'm Otsuka from ACBI Securities. I have two questions on 2 different things. First question, Page 11, Wholesale.

Speaker 2

Earlier you explained that 14,000,000,000 yen of cost, but excluding that cost, 80% is costincome ratio or 86% based on simple math. So for a couple of quarters, this costincome ratio is relatively low or favorable in the Q4. But I'd like you to elaborate on the factors. That's my first question. So simply put, the revenue level was high.

Speaker 2

As a result, cost income ratio came down. Is it what happened or product mix improved? What were the factors behind? That's my first question. Thank you.

Speaker 2

Thank you very much. Firstly, the 14,000,000,000 yen which I mentioned and the deferred compensation impact actually existed and for the officers, we are granting the deferred compensation and it's a deferral of compensation. So under accounting treatment, the recognition of expenses deferred. And as you are familiar, in the Q4, our stock price increased. So in order to recognize the expense, so as we recognize the expense due to stock price increase, the cost increased in a sizable scale.

Speaker 2

In addition, due to review of various systems, the IT systems and intangible assets were disposed off and that kind of costs are included. So when those costs accumulated combined together, it's going to be a sizable number. So that compared to 86%, which you mentioned, so the number would have been lower than that. So the lower part of the 80s, the cost income ratio. And of course, revenue was good.

Speaker 2

So low level of cost income ratio, the major factor is revenue because cost income ratio cannot be reduced just by cost saving. So indeed, it is a factor the cost revenue increase was a factor, but at the same time, we are taking company wide efforts to reduce cost and wholesale is covered by the cost saving initiative. And as a result of cost control, excluding special factors, the costincome ratio came down to a bit above 80%. Thank you for the first question. My second question is about Page 27, retail division state.

Speaker 2

So according to your explanation, the interest in investment has heightened. So could you elaborate on that remark? So firstly, for new accounts for January through March, what was the situation of the opening of new accounts, 19,000 accounts, so this level of new accounts. So what is the view of the management? So in the Q3, it was 87,000.

Speaker 2

So the number of new accounts is up. So it's 14% increase. So given the market environment, the growth could have been bigger in one way. So 99,000 is it considered as high from the management perspective? From new clients are coming to contact Nomura and we are thankful.

Speaker 2

But we are not placing focus on the absolute numbers, even though new accounts are important. But we would like clients with potential to conduct transactions using us. So the opening of new accounts at retail division to be renamed Wealth Management from April. So to a certain extent, a certain size of customers are who we focus on In this situation, 99,000 is a number. So for me, this is a satisfactory number.

Speaker 2

Understood. And I'd like you to expand on the NISA scheme. So in January through March quarter, the NISA account opening based on the simple deduction, as a result of simple deduction, so from 1.78 to minus 1.75, then it's 22,000. Is it the increase of new NISA scheme based accounts increase? Yes, the buying starts in January, so some people have needs to scan account elsewhere.

Speaker 2

So the simple deduction calculation does not come to the new accounts opened under Lisa scheme. But what my question is, so the simple deduction calculation, so 22,000 for the March quarter and end of March end of September and end of December. So it's 59,000. So new NISA started in January, but in December, the accounts number of accounts seem to have increased. So the growth of account counts and the start of new needs, what is the correlation between the 2?

Speaker 2

I wanted to understand that relation. So you are asking about that delta. So from in September to December and December to March, So the September to December delta seems larger you mentioned, but of course there are cases where clients opened up accounts. So for them to start buying in January, they are requested to open accounts before January. So the delta is bigger for September to December.

Speaker 2

Okay. So then so from December to March, close to 1,800,000. So under Nu. NISA, so you saw the buying activities that you described. Yes.

Speaker 2

So the new accounts opened this fiscal year, so it is not that they finished the activities in the Q4, they will continue their buying activities, but what you mentioned is the main portion. Okay, understood. Thank you very much.

Speaker 1

The next question is by Watanabe san of Daiwa Securities. Please go ahead. Daiwa Securities, Watanabe. I have two questions. First of all, Page 12, fixed income revenue.

Speaker 1

Mortgage related products had led to this growth, but U. S. Rates is not coming down. Do you think that income level can be sustained? And Q4, fixed income, others, there was a spike.

Speaker 1

What is the backdrop? What are the reasons? 2nd question, 6,900,000,000 yen of non control equity losses, what's the backdrop? And do you think that this could become a factor of volatility going forward? Thank you very much.

Speaker 1

Let me take up your first question first. Securitized products, clearly the market is coming back. For example, if you look at issuance in comparison to the previous quarter, there has been growth. So the market environment is improving. But is this true recovery?

Speaker 1

I think we need to monitor the situation more closely. For example, the market price recovery is one of the factors behind the improvement of performance. So we need to watch closely, but we will enter into a rate declining mood eventually. So we don't think that the environment is unfavorable. In terms of inventory, we are constantly checking and towards the end of March, there has been a slight increase, but partly because of market activity, we are seeing rapid reduction of inventory.

Speaker 1

So if our clients become active, I think we will be able to capture those opportunities promptly. The reason why others booked quite a large number, global markets, they are co working with IB in client financing business and the revenues from that business is included. And in GM, International Web Management booked for Asia, we are seeing steady expansion of this business. So from these businesses, we are seeing increase in others and this is a technical point, but treasury function under my position CFO is constantly charging UFS internal interest rate and it used to be relatively high and towards the end of the quarter treasury PM part of the PM was reimbursed. That is included.

Speaker 1

And I hope I answered your first question. And your second question, non controlled equity, we as a minority shareholder, why was this big? This is a technical issue. I'm not so confident that I'll be able to persuade you. NAM is investing in a fund, variable VIE and it's a consolidated fund, subject to consolidation.

Speaker 1

VIE is subject to consolidation, so 100% of income is booked and then the non controlled equity is deducted. And in the subject quarter, the profit of this fund was relatively high and therefore, the gap was bigger than a normal quarter. It's complicated and some of the jargons might have been difficult to understand, but I hope you got my point. On your second point, mark to market, it's mark to market and the fluctuation was big. Is that what you're saying?

Speaker 1

Or there was contribution from your mainstream business and that led to this big number? Well, to answer your question, the fund value, the fund performance improved. So as an outcome, the non controlling equity portion also rose. I understood very well. Thank you very much for the response.

Speaker 2

The next question is asked by Yagi Numa san from BOA Securities. Mr. Yaginuma, I cannot hear you. Hello. Yes, now I can hear you.

Speaker 2

Sorry. This is Niwa from Citi. May I ask a question? Yes, please go ahead. Regarding wholesale and EMEA business, I have questions each.

Speaker 2

For my question regarding wholesale is that the medium term target is from 160 to 180. So 4th quarter result seems to go above that level. My interest is, is it a one off in nature or is it sustainable, but for you to be able to aim higher, what needs to happen? So is the profit sustainable? And what is your view on the upside?

Speaker 2

That's my first question. My second question is about EMEA. Excluding the loan provision, still situation seems challenging. You are going to retain global franchise, but once again, could you comment on the positioning of the EMEA business? Thank you.

Speaker 2

Thank you very much for the questions. In the Q4, as you mentioned Niwa san, as top line was robust, The biggest factor was well for quite a while macro related businesses, especially rates that were challenged, but they came back, the business came back as a result, revenue recovered. In addition, the last couple of years, we have placed focus on equity product and securities securitized products and credit, and they have constantly grown. So in that sense, this momentum is expected to continue. Also IWM, International Wealth Business, it's growing steadily, so revenue contribution is expected there.

Speaker 2

The last couple or last few years over the last 2 years or so, So including the first half of this year, the situation has been challenging, as you know. And this time, in the Q4, the numbers in U. S. Dollar basis, so it's slightly above the 4th quarter number 2 years ago. So finally, the through the after going through that tough situation, we have come back to where we stand now.

Speaker 2

But as we look at our peers situation, the wholesale revenue level, our level does not seem inferior compared to our peers. So the capability of generating revenue is held by us. However, the since breakeven point is relatively high, so when revenue comes down, then we lose bottom line profit. That's the situation. So cost control is continued.

Speaker 2

And as mentioned, product line is being enriched and we are focusing on the recovery of rates business and through such measures, we can expect continuity or sustainability of the performance. And regarding EMEA, as you mentioned, 18,800,000,000 of negative number, so minus 14,000,000,000, the number is negative. So our so it's a hub of our global business, so certain size of footprint will be retained in EMEA. And all along in EMEA, we had limited revenue drivers. So we were overly dependent on rates business and for a while the rates business was not so spectacular.

Speaker 2

That was the reason for the stagnation and the rates bond team now has the new leader who has got on board and the team is being rebuilt. So we are starting to see the benefit and effect in the Q4. So we have expectations for that part of business and we have depended on rates business, but we need to take countermeasures to that situation. So we would like to increase revenue drivers, especially in Americas. Equity business is successful.

Speaker 2

So it is not that we are taking excessive risk, but such businesses are what we are considering for expansion and also securitized products. In a globally consistent manner, we could conduct business and from Americas Securitized Products Business in Europe could be monitored and overseen and we are taking measures for that. So top line revenue drivers are going to be increased moving forward. So that the numbers will look better than the most recent numbers? That's all.

Speaker 2

Thanks. Thank you very much. Regarding wholesale risk asset control, could you elaborate on that? So 7.9% is the profitability. So value at risk is not used much, then you have sufficient capital, then more capital could be allocated to go after more revenue from my view as an amateur, but from the viewpoint of accumulating revenue, what is your view on the usage of the risk assets?

Speaker 2

Could you give some more colors? So, thank you very much for your comment. So, return or profitability on resource needs to be monitored all the time. And in the material, what we've shown is return on risk weighted asset. Other than that, there are various resources such as leverage exposure and unsecured funding.

Speaker 2

And also there are such resources, though not necessarily regulated. So we are looking at various resources as we think about resource allocation. So if in the short term, if we find the business opportunities, then temporarily some funding will be allocated. So most important thing is to manage resources with discipline. Thank you very much for your explanation.

Speaker 2

So the question was asked by Niwa san from Citi Group Securities.

Speaker 1

The next question is by SMBC Nikko Securities, Muraki san. Please go ahead. If possible, I have one additional question I wish to ask. Today, BOJ Governors press conference was done, and he said that the rates will be hiked up to neutral level. Money market fund, at what rate will there be revival?

Speaker 1

And then if it's revived, you can expect significant amounts of funds. But as a trigger of cross selling in Wealth Management, what are the hopes? Thank you for the question. At the moment, money market fund, we don't have that at the moment, frankly speaking. On this point, unless rates come higher, it would be difficult, but then at what level?

Speaker 1

Frankly speaking, it's very difficult to respond. I don't know. Is it Money Fund or Nomura Trust Bank, which is a separate subsidiary? We are studying the possibility of accepting deposits. So in terms of idle funds, will they go to MMF or deposits for tentative parking of idle funds?

Speaker 1

If rates come higher, we are hopeful that idle funds begin to move around. Then within Nomura Group, for example, they could be used to purchase variable products or sell those products to purchase something else. There could be more flexibility and more action. So there are such hopes. I'm not sure whether I've been able to respond to your question, but that's where we are.

Speaker 1

Thank you very much for your response.

Operator

As there is no more question, we would like to finish question and answer session. Now we would like to make the closing address by Nomura Holdings.

Speaker 2

Thank you very much for your participation today. So regarding the performance, what we have done over the last several years, our efforts seem to have gradually delivered results, especially in retail division, revenue grew greatly and the cost control has been effective. So compared to last year, cost is has increased only by 5% and bottom line profit increased by 3.7x. So we see the result. As for wholesale, which has been challenged in macro business, but we see recovery and product lines that have underpinned the wholesale have become solid.

Speaker 2

So the revenue is becoming more diversified. So moving forward, of course, market environments and especially geopolitical risks have to be monitored closely, but if anything, our view is optimistic. Here at Nomura Group, in December 25th next year, we are celebrating our centennial anniversary. And as we do so, the founding principle and corporate philosophy will be cherished, so that and we in this situation, we created a purpose. We aspire to create a better world by harnessing the power of financial markets.

Speaker 2

So that is the newly created purpose of Nomura. So compared to our peers, our purpose is longer, but it's a specific purpose and to achieve this, we will focus on our areas of competitiveness. Well, this time we've been talking about situation by business, but we have the collaboration across the business divisions will be the key for us. So we'd like to pursue our divide by through collaboration and we like to proactively invest in growth areas and control cost stringently in order to raise our corporate value and achieve sustainable growth. Thank you very much for your continued support.

Speaker 2

Thank you very much once again for your participation.

Operator

Thank you for taking your time. And that concludes today's conference call. You may now disconnect your lines.

Remove Ads
Powered by Quartr
Earnings Conference Call
Nomura Q4 2024
00:00 / 00:00
Remove Ads