Capital Ideas Podcast Innovation in Asia and Europe: Why now matters
Jul 17, 2025
Noriko Chen, an equity portfolio manager with 26 years at Capital Group, shares her wealth of knowledge in this insightful discussion. She reflects on her diverse investment journey, from ice cream to Asian infrastructure. Noriko highlights the significant demand growth in China and the promising outlook for European banks. She champions the importance of mentorship for women and shares how reverse mentoring from younger analysts sharpens her perspective. Dive into her unique approach to navigating industry shifts and supporting the next generation.
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Early Ben & Jerry's Investment
- Noriko Chen invested early in Ben & Jerry's because she loved the ice cream and knew it well.
- The founders' philanthropic focus and pay caps hindered management, leading to poor long-term returns.
Global Perspective as Investment Edge
- Noriko's investment edge is her global perspective and strategic focus on long-term industry shifts.
- She values collaboration in teams to identify key trends like China's growing energy demand in the 2000s.
Exploring Automation in China
- A 2018 trip to China explored smaller automation companies and early humanoid robot prototypes.
- They identified innovation and cost reductions that could boost commercial robot adoption, especially in restaurants.