[Nikkei Stock Average and TOPIX (Table)]
Nikkei Average; 39554.85; -44.15 TOPIX; 2833.09; +5.56 Afternoon Nikkei average started with a decrease from the morning close (39676.34 yen) with a difference of ¥44.15, at 39554.85 yen. Nikkei 225 futures during lunch time fell in the range of 39540 yen to 39680 yen. The dollar-yen exchange rate has been at a level of around 30 yen higher for the yen, lower for the dollar since around 9:00 am, with 1 dollar = 156.30-40 yen. While the Shanghai Composite Index has fallen by around 0.6% in a weak market with a negative trend, the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index has remained firm in the morning but has fallen by about 0.3% later. In the afternoon Tokyo market, selling has taken the lead compared to the morning close. The heavy upward trend seen in the morning Nikkei average, as well as movements in the foreign exchange markets towards a higher yen and lower dollar, are considered to be weighing on stock prices. However, as the Nikkei average fell for the fourth consecutive day to more than 1,600 yen yesterday, some believe that buying is likely to occur at lower levels. In terms of sectors, precision instruments, electrical/gas utilities, and mining are among the top decliners while marine transportation, banks, and rubber products are among the top gainers. In the top trading value on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, Rohm <6963>, Lottecer <6323>, Laser Teck <6920>, Asics <7936>, HOYA <7741>, Keyence <6861>, TEPCO HD <9501>, SonyG <6758>, Hitachi <6501>, and Screen HD <7735> declined. On the other hand, NYK <9101>, Kawasaki Ship <9107>, Mitsui OSK Lines <9104>, Rakuten Group <4755>, Kokusai <6525>, Advantest <6857>, Ryohin Keikaku <7453>, Mizuho <8411>, Sumitomo Mitsui <8316>, and Mitsubishi UFJ <8306> have risen.
TOPIX; 2833.09; +5.56
Summary of the start of the afternoon session
In the afternoon, the Nikkei Average fell to a difference of 44.15 yen from the previous day's close to 39554.85 yen and started to decline from the previous close (39676.34 yen). During lunchtime, the Nikkei 225 futures fell in the range of 39540-39680 yen. The exchange rate between the US dollar and the yen has been around 30 yen higher for the yen and lower for the dollar since around 9:00 am. In Asian markets, the Shanghai Composite Index has fallen by about 0.6% and is weak in negative territory, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index was initially firm but has fallen by around 0.3%.
In the afternoon Tokyo market, selling has taken the lead compared to the morning close. The heavy upward trend seen in the morning Nikkei average, as well as movements in the foreign exchange markets towards a higher yen and lower dollar, are considered to be weighing on stock prices. However, as the Nikkei average fell for the fourth consecutive day to more than 1,600 yen yesterday, some believe that buying is likely to occur at lower levels.
In terms of sectors, precision instruments, electrical/gas utilities, and mining are among the top decliners while marine transportation, banks, and rubber products are among the top gainers.
In the top trading value on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, Rohm <6963>, Lottecer <6323>, Laser Teck <6920>, Asics <7936>, HOYA <7741>, Keyence <6861>, TEPCO HD <9501>, SonyG <6758>, Hitachi <6501>, and Screen HD <7735> declined. On the other hand, NYK <9101>, Kawasaki Ship <9107>, Mitsui OSK Lines <9104>, Rakuten Group <4755>, Kokusai <6525>, Advantest <6857>, Ryohin Keikaku <7453>, Mizuho <8411>, Sumitomo Mitsui <8316>, and Mitsubishi UFJ <8306> have risen.