Japanese stocks were lower after the close on Wednesday, as losses in the Paper & Pulp, Gas & Water and Transportation sectors led shares lower.

At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was down 0.08%.

The best performers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., which rose 12.96% or 495.00 points to trade at 4,315.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Sompo Holdings Inc. gained 11.42% or 407.00 points to close at 3,971.00 and Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. gained 6.52% or 159.00 points to 2,597.00 in late trade.

The worst performers on the session were Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc., which plunged 6.99%, or 423.00 points, to close at 5,631.00. MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings plunged 4.92%, or 182.00 points, to close at 3,518.00 and Keisei Electric Railway Co., Ltd. dropped 3.66%, or 148.00 points, to 3,899.00.

Declining stocks outnumbered gaining stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2019 to 1,560, with 257 ending unchanged.

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. rose to a five-year high, up 12.96%, or 495.00, to close at 4,315.00. Sompo Holdings Inc. rose to a 52-week high, up 12.96%, or 495.00, to close at 4,315.00. rose 11.42% or 407.00 to 3,971.00. Shares of Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. rose to an all-time high; up 6.52% or 159.00 to 2,597.00.

Nikkei Volatility, which measures the implied volatility of Nikkei 225 options, rose 12.49% to 26.12.

Crude oil for January delivery rose 0.22% or 0.15 to $69.39 a barrel. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Brent oil for January delivery rose 0.14% or 0.10 to hit $73.41 a barrel, while the December Gold Futures contract rose 0.01% or 0.30 to trade at $2,631.30 a troy ounce.

Source: Investing.com