The beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence buildout are spreading far beyond technology high-flyers. Laura Lau found one in seasoning maker Ajinomoto.
The Tokyo-based company is best known for making monosodium glutamate, or MSG, a flavor enhancer used in soups and vegetables. Its lesser-known business, called Build-Up Film, or ABF, makes insulating film used to package high-performance semiconductors.
Lau, chief investment officer at Toronto-based Brompton Funds, bought Ajinomoto¡¯s shares in July, and then added more in October. The stock has gained 61% so far in 2026, on track for its best year since 1986.
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