Nikkei average starts sharply higher for the 4th consecutive day, with risk preference boosted by Powell's comments, and continues to favor gains following record highs in the three major US indices.

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US Foreign Exchange Market Summary: Dollar-yen rose to the 151.20 yen level temporarily due to the retreat of the speculation about the BOJ raising interest rates by the end of the year.
In the New York foreign exchange market on the 4th, the dollar-yen exchange rate closed at around 150.59 yen per dollar, ending trading with a dollar strength and yen weakness of about 1.00 yen higher than the previous day. The euro was trading at around 158.30 yen per euro, showing a euro strength and yen weakness of about 1.10 yen. In response to some reports indicating that the Bank of Japan may postpone a rate hike at the monetary policy meeting to be held on the 18th and 19th, with speculation about additional rate hikes by the end of the year diminishing, there was a trend of buying dollars and selling yen. The dollar-yen exchange rate rebounded to 151.23 yen after reaching a dollar weakness and yen strength level not seen since mid-October in the New York market on the 3rd. However, disappointments from the announced November US ADP employment statistics and the November ISM non-manufacturing business sentiment index falling below market expectations weighed on the dollar, causing it to struggle after the buying phase.
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【Outlook for Today】Looking ahead to tomorrow's employment statistics and this month's monetary policy meetings in Japan and the US.

SoftBank Group eyes an upward rebound, following the wind of Nasdaq hitting new highs.
$SoftBank Group (9984.JP)$Returning to the 9000 yen range, looking to break above the 25-day moving average. In the previous day's US stock market, the Nasdaq Composite Stock Price Index showed clear upward momentum, continuing to set new record highs every day. This is a tailwind for the company, which has a high correlation with the Nasdaq market, as well as positive news for its subsidiary, the British semiconductor design company. $Arm Holdings (ARM.US)$It is also a positive factor that XYZ has strengthened with a slight but four-day consecutive rise in the price recovery.

Mitsubishi UFJ, Dai-ichi Life Holdings, etc., emphasized. Speculations are swirling around the Bank of Japan's decision meeting, but there is a strong buying interest ◇
$Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.JP)$XYZ rebounded, $Dai-ichi Life Holdings (8750.JP)$ABC is also in a buying-dominant position. The previous day saw a trend where mega banks and major life insurance companies collectively sought lower prices. This was in response to some media reporting the possibility of postponing additional rate hikes at the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting scheduled for this month, leading to a setback in expectations for improvement in the investment environment due to the rising long-term interest rates.

Rakuten G's dollar-denominated bonds, with an interest rate of 8.125% the lowest since 2021
$Rakuten Group (4755.JP)$XYZ has decided on the terms of the issuance of dollar-denominated bonds. The issuance amount is 550 million dollars (about 83 billion yen), and the issuance yield has reached a low level not seen in about 3 years. It can be seen that investor confidence in the company's efforts to eliminate long-standing deficits is growing. The issuance yield has been set at 8.125%.