Japan’s Trading Houses Jolted by Super-Size Block Trades

  • At least six large block trades in Mitsui & Co. recorded
  • Block trades also seen in Itochu, Tokio Marine Holdings
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A spate of unusually large block trades in Japanese trading houses and insurers has put investors on edge in Tokyo.

There have been at least six block trades in Mitsui & Co. shares totaling ¥113 billion ($765 million) since Feb. 26, and a single trade of ¥15 billion in Itochu Corp., according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Each transaction represented more than 60% of the stock’s average daily volume over 20 days.