☕️ Good morning, friends,

Business idea of the week: playgrounds for seniors. 🛝

They’ve been around in China for years, and now Seoul is rolling them out across the city.

And it’s paying off. Estimated 2035 revenue from the Silver Economy in East Asia:
China – 5 trillion USD
Japan – 1 trillion USD
South Korea – 150 billion USD

So… time to invest in compression sock stocks.*
_{*Not financial advice ;)}

📈 Japan and Korea Set New Records

Asian markets climbed sharply at the start of the week. In Tokyo, the Nikkei surged to a new record high, fueled by the so-called “Takaichi trade” euphoria. LDP leader Sanae Takaichi is on track to become Japan’s first female prime minister and advocates for expansive fiscal policy and low interest rates.

In Seoul, the KOSPI continued its record-breaking run, reaching a new all-time high of 3,814 points. Hopes for a trade deal with the U.S. and strong chip stocks lifted the market.

💹 Stocks in Focus:

SoftBank (+5%) gained on renewed AI optimism and fresh robotics plans. Uniqlo’s parent company Fast Retailing (+4%) rose on a weaker yen and strong overseas earnings expectations.

TOP BIT

🏮China’s economy stumbles as five-year plan takes shape

China’s economy grew just 4.8% in the third quarter, its weakest pace in a year.
Consumption and investment remain sluggish, while exports are keeping the country barely on track. The property crisis continues to weigh on confidence.

The release of the new figures coincides with a key moment in Beijing: Party officials are now negotiating the next Five-Year Plan, which will set China’s economic direction through 2030.

The Details

🏭 Industry cooling down: Industrial output rose 6.5% in September, but…