Ex-JPMorgan Analyst Builds a 51%-a-Year Quant Powerhouse in Taiwan
In less than five years, Andre Liu has quietly built a quant powerhouse in Taiwan, drawing awe from other market participants and curiosity about his firm's inner workings.
UC Capital, Liu's proprietary trading firm, shot to sudden prominence last October when it revealed itself as the buyer of the baseball that marked Shohei Ohtani's historic feat of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season. The $4.39 million purchase, and the secretive company's coming out of the shadows, were both carefully calculated moves.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
India central bank's large rate cut squeezes forward premiums, leaves rupee vulnerable, analysts say
By Nimesh Vora and Jaspreet Kalra MUMBAI (Reuters) -The Reserve Bank of India's surprise outsized rate cut last week will leave the rupee vulnerable to further depreciation by pressuring already depressed foreign exchange forward premiums, several analysts said on Monday. The rupee has underperformed its Asian peers in 2025 amid weak capital flows. A narrowing interest rate differential — with the U.S. Federal Reserve moving slower than the RBI in cutting rates — suggests the Indian currency may continue to lag. MARKET REACTION The 1-month U.S. dollar/rupee forward premium — typically more sensitive to liquidity conditions — fell to 7.5 paisa, its lowest level since November. Meanwhile, the 1-year premium, which is more responsive to rate differential between the U.S. and India, declined to 1.5250 rupees, marking its lowest level in nearly a year. GRAPHIC: WHY IT'S IMPORTANT A drop in dollar/rupee forward premiums makes the rupee less attractive for carry trades, and diminishes the incentive for exporters to hedge future receivables. At the same time, it raises the likelihood that importers—who typically hedge near-term payment obligations—will step up their hedging activity. The decline in premiums - a less favourable rate differential between the U.S. and India - could leave the rupee open to sharper depreciation. CONTEXT Against the backdrop of benign inflation and the need to support growth, the Reserve Bank of India last Friday delivered a larger-than-expected 50 basis point rate (bps) cut, exceeding the 25 bps anticipated by economists. In a further easing move, the central bank slashed the cash reserve ratio for banks. KEY QUOTES "One thing the rupee had going for it is that it offered attractive carry ... with the 50-bps rate cut from the RBI, carry attraction has been reduced," Mitul Kotecha, head of FX and EM macro strategy Asia at Barclays, adding that in an environment where investors are again focussed on carry, the rupee's appeal has been diminished. Falling premiums can be a "mild added headwind" for the rupee amid globally elevated yields, Dhiraj Nim, FX strategist at ANZ Research, said, and pointed out that if India growth data weaken, there could be scope for one more rate cut.
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
Japan Should Use Asia Trade Bloc in US Talks, Party Chief Says
Japan should take a bigger role in a regional free trade agreement and use its expansion as a bargaining tool in tariff negotiations with the US, the leader of the country's largest opposition party said on Monday. Yoshihiko Noda, president of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, was speaking to reporters in Tokyo after the country's chief negotiator returned from a fifth round of talks in Washington with little sign of a reprieve from US tariffs.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
All-time great wrestler Hakuho quits Japan Sumo Association with plans to form global body
Hakuho Sho, a retired "yokozuna" or grand champion of sumo Hakuho, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation and to outline his future plans. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Hakuho Sho, a retired "yokozuna" or grand champion of sumo Hakuho, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation and to outline his future plans. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)) Hakuho Sho, a retired "yokozuna" or grand champion of sumo Hakuho, wipes his face during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation and to outline his future plans. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Hakuho Sho, a retired 'yokozuna' or grand champion of sumo, Hakuho, walks to the venue for a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Hakuho Sho, a retired 'yokozuna' or grand champion of sumo, Hakuho, bows during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Hakuho Sho, a retired 'yokozuna' or grand champion of sumo, Hakuho, bows during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Hakuho Sho, a retired "yokozuna" or grand champion of sumo Hakuho, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation and to outline his future plans. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Hakuho Sho, a retired "yokozuna" or grand champion of sumo Hakuho, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation and to outline his future plans. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)) Hakuho Sho, a retired "yokozuna" or grand champion of sumo Hakuho, wipes his face during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation and to outline his future plans. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Hakuho Sho, a retired 'yokozuna' or grand champion of sumo, Hakuho, walks to the venue for a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Hakuho Sho, a retired 'yokozuna' or grand champion of sumo, Hakuho, bows during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 9, 2025, to deliver a farewell message following the reported acceptance of his resignation. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) TOKYO (AP) — Hakuho, a retired 'yokozuna' or grand champion and viewed by many as the sport's greatest wrestler, quit the Japan Sumo Association on Monday after an apparent falling out with the governing body of the ancient sport. The Mongolia-born Hakuho was earlier sanctioned by the Japan Sumo Association, accused of failing to control the behavior of a wrestler in his so-called stable, the term used for a training team headed by retired wrestlers. Advertisement Hakuho's stable was closed a year ago. Japanese media reports say the wrestler in question engaged in physical violence. But closing a stable, instead of just punishing an individual wrestler, was unusual. He did not directly criticize the professional Japan Sumo Association, but he said wrestlers who had trained under him were treated unfairly. Hakuho, who was granted Japanese citizenship, said he had been in talks with the association but recently decided to quit because there was no hope of reopening his stable. His farewell and future 'After 25 years of loving sumo and being loved by sumo, I want to advance toward a new dream,' Hakuho told reporters Monday at a Tokyo hotel. Advertisement Hakuho said he wants to create a body to govern sumo outside Japan — the 'world sumo project.' 'When I think of my situation, I think it's best to contribute to sumo from the outside,' he said, wearing a dark suit and referring to the Japan Sumo Association. Appearing with a lawyer and other officials he had tapped for his team, Hakuho said they were getting corporate sponsors to back sumo grand slams, which draw amateur sumo wrestlers from around the world, including children and women. Hakuho said he was friends with Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda, who has expressed interest in supporting his efforts. Toyota already supports various amateur and professional sports activities. Advertisement Many regard the Mongolia-born Hakuko as the greatest champion in the sport's history and he holds many of its records. Hahuko's late-father, who went by the given name of Monkhbat, was an Olympic silver medalist for Mongolia in 1968. He also competed in at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Sumo encompasses very strict rules and traditions that have prompted other top wrestlers to pursue careers outside the sport. Hahuko retired from active wrestling in 2021. ___ AP sports:
