Compelling Valuations in Japan

1. Attractive Price-to-Earnings Multiple

The price-to-earnings multiple, or P/E ratio, is the most common measure used to value equities. Japanese large-cap equities, as represented by the Tokyo Price Index (TOPIX), are currently trading on a P/E multiple of 14.7x 2026 forward earnings, 16% lower than the U.S.

2. Low Price-to-Book

On a price-to-book basis (P/B), Japanese equities are also offering investors great value compared with other global developed equity markets. TOPIX is trading at just 1.7x book value, about a third lower than the average among the top developed equity markets and more than two-thirds lower than the U.S.

3. Japan Small-Caps at a Discount

Small-cap Japanese companies are also trading at a discount to international peers. Small-cap stocks in Japan are trading on just 13.2x 2026 forward earnings, and as a point of reference, a 23% discount to U.S. small caps trading at 17.2x.

4. Japan’s Attractive P/E Relative to History

Summary

We believe Japan’s growth story is just starting to unfold. Following the advent of Abenomics, many Japanese companies are experiencing higher profitability due to corporate restructuring, better governance, and a more competitive currency. With Japanese equities currently offering attractive valuations compared to G7 developed country equity markets and relative to history, we believe Japan deserves a closer look as a component of an investor’s portfolio.

Three Reasons to Consider Hennessy Funds for Japanese Exposure

1. Active, “Feet on the Street” Management Both Funds are sub-advised by Tokyo-based SPARX Asset Management. One of the largest and most experienced independent Asia-based asset management specialists, SPARX conducts over 2,000 meetings with companies in Japan and throughout Asia each year.

2. Consistently Strong Performance The Japan Fund (HJPIX) achieved top 35% and 32% performance for the 3 and 10 year periods and the Japan Small Cap Fund (HJSIX) achieved top 39% and top 21% performance for the 1 and 10 year periods in the Morningstar Japan Stock Funds category ended March 31, 2026.

3. Impressive Excess Return Over the past 10 years, the Funds provided risk-adjusted excess return relative to the Japanese markets, with the Japan Fund (HJPIX) delivering an alpha of 0.74 relative to the Russell/Nomura Total MarketTM Index and the Japan Small Cap Fund (HJSIX) delivering an alpha of 2.78 relative to the Russell/Nomura Small CapTM Index.