Finance
FEATURE: Brokerages investing in future of Japan with kids' financial ed.
Financial education for children in Japan has taken on greater urgency since the country lowered the age of adulthood from 20 to 18 in 2022.
One reason major securities firms are expanding financial education programs for Japanese elementary school children is to teach the importance of responsible money management.
The programs are designed to be enjoyable for younger children by incorporating games and other activities. At the same time, efforts are underway to equip teachers with the necessary training to conduct lessons independently, without the need for financial experts.
“I know that one,” shouted many of the some 30 children gathered at the head office of SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. in Tokyo. The occasion was one of the events held nationwide by the brokerage house at 89 of its local offices during the summer vacation in July and August.
Elementary school pupils participate in SMBC Nikko Securities’ financial and economic education seminar in Tokyo in August 2024. (Kyodo)
The company invited a total of about 1,500 elementary school students and their families to learn fundamentals about money, as well as stocks and other securities.
Sales representatives of SMBC Nikko acted as teachers in the sessions, quizzing children on economic history and playing games to check the stock prices of companies familiar to the kids.
Against the backdrop of the 2014 launch of the Nippon Individual Savings Account — a Japanese government tax exemption program for small investments — and rising living costs, more parents hope their children will acquire financial literacy early on.
“We had no opportunities to learn about money during my childhood. I want my child to become interested in it from a young age,” said a 36-year-old mother from Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, who took part in SMBC Nikko’s event with her daughter, who is currently in the second grade.
In October, SMBC Nikko set up an internal organization dedicated to financial and economic education. It is part of its enhanced efforts to reach a wide range of generations, including working adults.
Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. began offering financial education programs to elementary school students nationwide in 2022. The programs aim to help children develop money sense by understanding the value of work and goods through discussions on activities such as household chores and shopping.
To meet the growing need for financial education at school, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. has held training sessions for teachers, instructing them on how to conduct classes using their own game.
Teachers participate in financial and economic education training hosted by Daiwa Securities Group’s head office in Tokyo in July 2024. (Kyodo)
Using toy money and cards, the game encourages children to consider how to allocate assets they earn through work and individual investments to finance life events, such as purchasing a home, having a child and sending kids to school.
A total of 35 elementary, junior high and high school teachers attended a study session held by Daiwa in late July to learn how to play. “I want to teach my students how to become savvy consumers who spend money in a systematic way,” said a grade school teacher in Tokyo who took part in the session.
In July, Daiwa Connect Securities Co., a unit of the major brokerage house, lowered the minimum age for users of its smartphone-based trading system from 15 to “junior high school students,” providing a service where young people can put into practice what they have been learning.
With parental consent, junior high school students can use the system to trade stocks and other securities.
“The actual experience of investment enhances students’ interest in the politics and economy linked to the stock market, and they learn about investment risks as well,” a Daiwa Connect official said.
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FOCUS: Lowered adult age sees rise in young Japanese struggling with debt
Harley-Davidson’s new CEO wants to transform how people think about the iconic motorcycle brand, so the company is trying something different.
This week, Harley announced a new strategy that focuses on lower-priced bikes, rather than relying on older, more affluent customers to buy its higher-margin touring models.
“Back to the Bricks builds on our core strengths and competitive advantages, harnessing the passion of our riders to deliver profitable growth for the Company and both our dealers and shareholders,” Harley CEO Artie Starrs said this week. “As we drive towards this new phase of growth, we remain committed to the craftsmanship and dedication that define our brand.”
Entry-level Harley-Davidsons cost about $13,000, while the higher-end Adventure Touring models average about $23,250, and the Premium Range &CVO models cost about $38,500, according to Reuters.
Harley’s new strategy targets a core profit of over $350 million from its motorcycle business by 2027 and over $150 million in cost reductions.
To kick off the new strategy, Harley is introducing Sprint, a new entry-level model powered by a smaller 440cc engine, later in the year.
What is Harley-Davidson’s “Back to the Bricks” strategy?
Harley’s new strategy relies on more than just pushing buyers toward cheaper vehicles to increase volume. The 123-year-old company has a set of five pillars on which it is building its future.
Harley-Davidson “Back to the Bricks” 5-point plan
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Deep appreciation of Harley-Davidson’s competitive advantages and legacy: The Company’s iconic brand, diversified and powerful revenue channels, and best-in-class dealer network provide a powerful foundation for growth.
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Renewed commitment to exclusive dealer network to drive enterprise profitability: Harley-Davidson’s dealers are a competitive advantage. The Company is planning actions to enable dealers to double profitability in 2026 and then double it again by 2029.
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Immediate actions to recapture share in areas where Harley-Davidson has right to win: Harley-Davidson has strong legacy equity in existing markets including new motorcycles, used motorcycles, Parts & Accessories, and Apparel & Licensing. The Company’s new strategy is focused on positioning the Company to regain share and drive meaningful volume growth in categories where it benefits from credibility, scale, and deep rider connection.
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Strong financial position with a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin: Cost and restructuring actions already underway support a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin over time.
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Bolstered management team with balance of fresh perspectives and institutional knowledge: Harley-Davidson has made a number of leadership appointments that support the Company as it leverages its innate strengths.
Written by Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada
Dividend investing can be one of the simplest ways to build long-term wealth while creating a steady stream of passive income. But in my opinion, a good dividend stock is about much more than just a high yield. Beyond dividend yield, investors should also look for companies with durable businesses, reliable cash flows, and a history of rewarding shareholders consistently over time.
That’s exactly why many investors turn to financial stocks. Banks and asset managers often generate recurring earnings through lending, investing, and wealth management activities, allowing them to support stable dividend payments even during uncertain market conditions.
Two Canadian financial stocks that stand out right now are AGF Management (TSX:AGF.B) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD). Both companies offer attractive dividends backed by solid financial performance and long-term growth strategies. In this article, I’ll explain why these two financial stocks could be worth considering for income-focused investors right now.
AGF Management stock continues to reward shareholders
AGF Management is a Toronto-based asset manager with businesses across investments, private markets, and wealth management. Through these divisions, the company offers equity, fixed income, alternative, and multi-asset investment strategies to retail, institutional, and private wealth clients.
Following a 59% rally over the last 12 months, AGF stock currently trades at $16.67 per share with a market cap of roughly $1.1 billion. At current levels, the stock offers a quarterly dividend yield of 3.3%.
One reason behind AGF’s strong recent performance is its increasingly diversified business model. The company has expanded its investment capabilities and broadened its geographic reach, helping it perform well across varying market environments.
In the first quarter of its fiscal 2026 (ended in February), AGF posted free cash flow of $36 million, up 14% year over year (YoY), driven mainly by higher management, advisory, and administration fees. These fees climbed to $92.5 million as demand for the company’s investment offerings strengthened.
AGF has also been focusing on expanding its alternative investment business and introducing new investment products. With strong cash generation and growing demand for alternative investments, AGF Management looks well-positioned to continue rewarding investors over the long term.
TD Bank stock remains a dependable dividend giant
Toronto-Dominion Bank, or TD Bank, is one of North America’s largest banks, serving millions of customers through its Canadian banking, U.S. retail banking, wealth management and insurance, and wholesale banking operations.
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