[Nikkei Average Stock Price・TOPIX (Table)]
Nikkei Average; 39,920.12; +547.89
TOPIX; 2,778.82; +29.51
[Afternoon Market Overview]
In the afternoon session, the Nikkei Average opened at 39,920.12 yen, up 547.89 yen from the previous day, slightly expanding from the previous close (39,881.10 yen). During lunchtime, the Nikkei 225 futures fluctuated within a range of 39,910-39,990 yen. The dollar to yen exchange rate was around 1 dollar = 152.20-30 yen, about a 10-yen depreciation of the yen and appreciation of the dollar since around 9 AM. In Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index fluctuated around a slight increase, up about 0.3%, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index rose, expanding its gains to around 1.2%.
In the afternoon Tokyo market, buying slightly preceded the opening compared to the previous close. As the Nikkei Average regained the 40,000 yen mark for the first time in about two months since October 15, there is a viewpoint that the market is beginning to trend upwards. However, many events that require caution, such as the release of the U.S. wholesale price index (PPI) tonight, tomorrow’s special settlement for December options and futures, and next week’s scheduled Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and Bank of Japan monetary policy decisions on the 18th and 19th, appear to be factors in keeping buyers on the sidelines.
In the Sector, the service industry, Electric Appliances, and Oil & Coal Products are among the top gainers, while Iron & Steel is in decline. In the trading volume rankings of the Tokyo Stock Exchange Main Board, Ceres <3696>, Mitsui E&S <7003>, Advantest <6857>, Fujikura <5803>, DeNA <2432>, Recruit HD <6098>, Sony Group Corp <6758>, Furukawa Electric <5801>, Suzuki <7269>, and Mitsubishi Electric <6503> are performing well. On the other hand, Kurazushi <2695>, Monex Group <8698>, Sakura <3778>, 7 & i HD <3382>, Honda <7267>, SMC <6273>, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries <7012> are declining.