The Nikkei 225 index opened lower in trading this morning, Wednesday (December 31, 2025), as investors exercised caution on the final trading day of the year. Index movements tended to be limited as many market participants chose to reduce activity ahead of the New Year holiday, resulting in thinner-than-usual trading volumes. Pressure on the Nikkei stemmed from profit-taking after positive performance throughout the year, as well as concerns about the still-uncertain global economic conditions. Export-oriented stocks were also pressured by the yen's exchange rate, while technology stocks...
Japanese stocks rose on Friday, though market movements were thin as many foreign investors were absent for holidays. The Topix index rose 0.1% to 3,423.06, while the Nikkei index rose 0.7% to 50,750.39. The gains were driven by technology and export stocks. Nintendo contributed the most to the Topix's rise, rising 2.3%, while AI companies like Disco Corp. and SoftBank Group also posted significant gains. Export stocks in Japan received a boost after the yen weakened slightly against the US dollar, which has boosted the competitiveness of Japanese companies in the global market. Masahiro...
Asian markets opened trading on December 26, 2025, with mixed movements after the Christmas holiday. Market liquidity remained relatively thin, and most exchanges moved slowly, amid positive sentiment from Wall Street, which recorded a new record close before the holiday. Despite reduced trading volume, investors remained cautious and cautious. Major stocks on the Nikkei 225 and Chinese markets remained in focus, while several exchanges in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia remained closed or traded flat due to the holiday. In commodity markets, gold and silver prices continued to hit record...
Japanese stocks rallied on Friday, boosted by a weaker yen following weaker-than-expected inflation data in Tokyo. The Nikkei stock index rose 0.6% to 50,700.49, with technology and video game stocks leading the gains. SoftBank Group rose 1.5%, while Nintendo also posted a 1.6% gain, reflecting market optimism about Japan's technology sector. The weaker yen also supported Japanese stocks, with USD/JPY trading at 156.22, up from 155.81 at the previous Tokyo close. Investors are now closely watching any comments from Japanese government officials regarding the yen's depreciation, as well as...
The Nikkei 225 added 64 points, or 0.1%, to close at 50,408 on Thursday, swinging from a slight dip in the prior session after Wall Street's S&P 500 and Dow Jones hit fresh record highs on Wednesday. Trading was subdued in holiday-thinned conditions as investors awaited cabinet approval of Japan's FY2026 budget, estimated at JPY 122 trillion, a second consecutive record, potentially as early as Friday. Gains were tempered by caution ahead of key domestic data due Friday, including December Tokyo CPI, November unemployment and retail sales, plus flash industrial output. Technology...
Japanese stocks rose on Thursday after the S&P 500 index posted gains in a shortened session ahead of Christmas, despite many Asian markets being closed. The Topix index rose 0.3% to 3,417.98, while the Nikkei 225 also gained 0.1% to 50,407.79. Despite the gains, trading remained thin as many European and Asian markets were closed for the holidays. Among stocks that provided positive momentum, Sony Group Corp. rose 1.2%, the largest contributor to the Topix's rise. The electrical equipment and wholesale trade sectors posted the largest gains, while banking and non-ferrous metals stocks...