5 Olympics stocks to watch before the Tokyo games kick off

As the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games fast approaches – with the opening ceremony scheduled to take place on July 23, 2021 – we look at five ‘Olympic stocks’ that investors and traders may want to consider watching before and after the games.

A difficult road to the 2020 Tokyo Games

Just getting here has been quite a task. Following the global pandemic last year, the initial start date for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games had to be pushed back an entire year. They are now being held this July.

While many have celebrated that delay, critics and concerns remain, with the public worried that the games will trigger a fresh wave of coronavirus cases in Japan.

For example, in May, some 6,000 doctors signed an open letter to the Japanese government pleading that the games be postponed. Things have only escalated since then: approximately 10,000 Olympic games volunteers have recently withdrawn from the games; and according to a poll conducted by Kyodo News, some 85% of the Japanese public are concerned that the upcoming games ‘will lead to an influx in coronavirus cases.’

5 ‘Olympics stocks’ to watch before the Tokyo games kick off

Despite the issues raised above, below we highlight 5 must-watch ‘Olympics stocks’ as we head into the games. Bar Dentsu, all of the stocks listed below are Tokyo Olympic Games partners, spread across a number of different categories and industries.

• Panasonic
• Secom
• Cisco
• Dentsu
• Asics

Panasonic

For over 30 years the electronics company has been a top sponsor of the Olympic games, providing camera, audio, broadcast and other equipment for the events.

According to the company’s website: ‘Panasonic’s aim is to support the Olympic and Paralympic Movement with its cutting-edge technology and carry it over into the future.’

For the upcoming Tokyo games, the electronics company is an official worldwide partner for the Games, sitting within the Audio-visual Equipment, Home Appliances and Electric Bicycles category. More recently, it was announced that Panasonic would also be a supporting partner for the torch relay portion of the games.

Panasonic Corporation trades under the ticker 6752 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In the last year the stock is up 27.91%.

Secom

Secom provides security services to businesses across the globe with operations spanning Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, and China, and other regions.

Secom was chosen as a partner of the Olympic games, under the security services and planning category, way back in 2015. At the time, the Secom President, Hiroshi Ito, said:

'We are extremely honoured to be able to provide our services for the safe and secure hosting of the 2020 Games, as an Official Partner in the category of Security Services and Planning.'

'SECOM will work to create innovative services that will further evolve Japan into a safe, secure, comfortable, and convenient society in 2020 and the years that follow,' Hiroshi Ito added.

Secom trades under the ticker 9735 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In the last year the stock has fallen 10.00%.

Whatever you make of the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games, with IG you can take a bullish or bearish position in any of the stocks we have discussed today.

For example, you can buy (long) or sell (short) an asset using derivatives like CFDs offered on IG's trading platform, or by investing in the shares directly. To get started all you have to do is:

• Create a live or demo IG account, or log in to your existing account
• Enter the company name or ticker in the search bar and select the instrument
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• Click on ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ in the deal ticket
• Confirm the trade

Cisco

Global networking giant Cisco was announced as one of the official partners – in the network equipment category – for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, in 2016.

At the time of the initial announcement, President and General Manager of Cisco Systems, Miyuki Suzuki, said:

‘We are extremely honoured that we have the opportunity to support the success of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as the Tokyo 2020 Official Partner in the Network Equipment category.’

More recently, the networking hardware company also announced it had been chosen as an official partner for the Paris 2024 Olympic games.

Cisco Systems trades under the ticker CSCO on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. In the last year the stock is up 13.92%.

Dentsu

As the largest advertising and PR firm in Japan, the announcement that the company had been appointed as the Tokyo Olympics games marketing agency should come as little surprise.

At the time of the announcement a Dentsu spokesperson said:

‘Leveraging the sports business knowledge and know-how that it has cultivated over many years, Dentsu will channel all the Group's resources toward the success of the 32nd Olympic Games and the 16th Paralympic Games that will be held in 2020.’

This deal has not been without scrutiny. In late 2020 media reports emerged that Dentsu had donated some $6 million to Tokyo’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games, in a move that some have argued created a conflict of interest, according to Reuters.

Dentsu Group trades under the ticker 4324 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In the last year the stock is up 25.16%.

Asics

In 2015, Asics Corporation – a popular and global sports equipment company, was announced as a gold Olympic partner, in the category of Sporting Goods.

Commenting on its selection at the time, President and CEO of Asics, Motoi Oyama said:

‘ASICS will strive to make the Tokyo 2020 Games a resounding success by making the best use of the extensive experience the company has gained supporting athletes and sports associations in previous editions of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and continue contributing to the development of a healthy and sustainable society.’

Asics Corporation trades under the ticker 7936 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In the last year the stock is up 88.33%.

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