Share Sounds. related to Shares - Far East

While Hargreaves Lansdowne accepts an outcome driven by Private Equity, Abrdn attempts to shrug off the high price it paid for buying its retail investment platform from Private Equity. The short-term and intensely finance-based motivation of that sector achieves a real contrast between its entry and exit pricing, notwithstanding the damage it does to public markets. That short-term focus has also denied a strategic transition to global retail investment platforms capable of supporting widespread global stock ownership in the years ahead; although the parochial nature of investment regulation and antiquated technology also conspire against making that transition. Employee share ownership has made that change, and its workplace solutions could set the template for individual stock ownership across the world. Background music: 'Everything Has a Beginning' by Joel Cummins

At first sight the challenges facing TikTok and John Lewis appear very different. For the former, it's the risk of being denied access to much of the free world as regulators clamp down over concerns of it becoming a major security threat. For the latter, John Lewis's need to raise investment is threatening the partnership which staff and customers hold in such high regard. These very different problems could, however, both be solved by applying customer stock ownership — in TikTok's case, in return for the immense wealth creation made possible by data harvesting; in John Lewis's case, in return for that £2 billion which they urgently need to update their business model. In each case, disintermediation leading towards a more egalitarian form of capitalism. Background music: 'On Hold' by Silent Partner

Outside the U.S. there are opportunities for investors in the new year. Bill Mann discusses countries producing raw materials (and video games), what needs to change in China to get him more interested in companies like Alibaba and JD.com, and why investors should be watching Canada and Norway. Stocks mentioned: JD, BABA, TCEHY. Host - Chris Hill; Guest - Bill Mann

Almost a year late, investors in Hong Kong can now buy stocks on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. HK has long been a traditional gateway to the rest of mainland China. This Hong Kong-Shenzhen Connect, is an important milestone in further opening up the Chinese market. Shenzhen is Asia's busiest exchange with a monthly turnover of more than a trillion dollars. To look into this further, Paul Lynch, of Itarle, which is active on exchanges in the region, joined Share Radio Breakfast.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has begun an upper house election campaign, with a pledge to rev-up the economy, as surveys show his ruling bloc is ahead. Seijiro Takeshita, Professor of Management and Information at University of Shizuoka in Japan, joined Sarah Lowther and Chris Bailey to discuss.

The Caixin China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for February came in at a five-month low and below expectations. The reading means the sector has been shrinking for a whole year. Meanwhile in Japan, the Nikkei Manufacturing PMI dropped to its lowest level in eight months in February. So what’s going on? Seijiro Takeshita, Professor of Management and Information at the University of Shizuoka, discusses the negative sentiment live from Japan.

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Dr David Kuo, Chief Executive Officer at the Motley Fool Singapore, discusses the Chinese market after shares continued to tumble, with the Shanghai Composite dropping by 8.4%.

Billy Bambrough takes a closer look into China's volatile market. He speaks to David Kuo, CEO of The Motley Fool in Singapore, and Kay Van-Petersen, Asia Macro Strategist.