Tokyo, Nov. 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund said Friday that it posted an investment return of 1,876.3 billion yen, or 0.98 pct, in July-September, marking a profit for the sixth straight quarter.

Resumed economic activities following the spread of COVID-19 vaccinations and hopes for policies proposed in the leadership election of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party in September helped Japanese stocks rise, pushing up the total figure.

The GPIF logged a profit from investments in Japanese stocks for the first time in two quarters, at 2,591.9 billion yen.

The fund earned 50.1 billion yen on Japanese bonds.

Meanwhile, the GPIF incurred a loss of 356.5 billion yen on foreign equities, hurt by speculation about U.S. monetary policy moves. It also posted a loss of 409.1 billion yen on foreign bonds.

The GPIF’s cumulative net investment profit since it started investments in market instruments in fiscal 2001 rose to a record 102,194.6 billion yen. At the end of September this year, its total investment assets stood at 194,119.7 billion yen, also a record high.