Developments while keeping an eye on the exchange rate.

The Nikkei average has fallen for six consecutive trading days. It ended the day at 38,701.90 yen, down 111.68 yen (estimated Volume of 2.7 billion 10 million shares). Following the yen's depreciation after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda's press conference, there was buying in export-related stocks, such as Automobiles, and the Nikkei average began to rebound. Towards the end of the morning session, it rose to 39,039.68 yen. However, after Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato expressed concerns over the fluctuations in the foreign exchange market, including speculative movements, it was a trigger for short-term Futures.

Fisco JapanDec 20 02:34 ET

The Nikkei average fell for the sixth consecutive day, closing at a low due to the decline in financial stocks.

On the 19th, the U.S. Stocks market was mixed. The Dow Inc. rose by $15.37 to close at $42,342.24, while the Nasdaq fell by 19.93 points to end at $19,372.77. After the opening, the market experienced an upward movement. The sharp drop the previous day, due to the indication from the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) of a slowdown in the pace of additional interest rate cuts during the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), was seen as an overreaction, leading to a wave of buying. The domestic Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the July to September period was revised upward, and new unemployment Insurance claims were announced in the morning.

Fisco JapanDec 20 02:00 ET

Stocks that moved or were traded in the first half of the session.

*Cybozu <4776> 2644 - Positive sentiment due to consideration of increased dividends for this period and significant profit growth outlook for the next period. *Market E <3135> 964 - Positive sentiment following the announcement of expanded shareholder benefits. *Japan Retech <1938> 1326 +199 High dividend yield appeal following significant dividend increase announcement. *Mitsui E&S <7003> 1754 +150 Reported to begin production of port cranes in Vietnam. *Shin Nihon Science <2395> 1662 +126 Tokai Tokyo Securities recommends buying anew.

Fisco JapanDec 19 23:45 ET

Japanese Stocks May Offer Some Resilience in 2025 -- Market Talk

WSJDec 19 22:19 ET

Japan Post, Idemitsu Kosan, etc. (additional) Rating

Upgraded - Bullish Code Stock Name Brokerage Previous Changed -------------------------------------------------------- <5020> ENEOS Daiwa "3" "2" <6525> KOKUSAISMBC Nikko "2" "1" Downgraded - Bearish Code Stock Name Brokerage Previous Changed -------------------------------------------------------- <7

Fisco JapanDec 19 21:34 ET

December 20 [Today's Investment Strategy]

[Fisco Selected Stocks] 【Material Stocks】 Cybozu <4776> 2144 yen (12/19) engages in the development, sales, and operation of groupware such as 'kintone'. The year-end Dividends forecast for the fiscal year ending December 2024 has been revised to 'undecided'. The previous estimate was 15 yen, and the one before that was 14 yen. It is being considered for an increase, and it is scheduled to be announced immediately after it is confirmed. Additionally, the performance forecast for the fiscal year ending December 2025 was announced. The operating profit is estimated to be 8.437 billion yen.

Fisco JapanDec 19 18:56 ET