BUZZ-Luxury: prices in Europe, Japan, could support demand this yr - HSBC

** HSBC says with the EUR and GBP being weak and Paris attacks possibly seeming far now, European luxury sector sales could step up

** Broker says weaker JPY has made prices in Japan look much more competitive and if this continues, it would bode well for Japan's bid for wallet share of Chinese traveler as luxury prices in Japan appear more attractive v Chinese market

** While USD strength is bound to be off-putting for inbound tourists, with a US market still dominated by local consumers, this should prove to be manageable

** Moreover, HSBC cites several reasons to be bullish US luxury demand: equity markets at all-time highs, tax cut hopes for wealthy consumers, the underpenetrated of luxury in that market

** Richemont received PT raises from 11 brokerages after beating Q3 sales on Thursday