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

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

The immediate stance is to Buy on dips [closing].

The Nikkei Average declined for five consecutive trading days, ending at 38,813.58 yen, down 268.13 yen (estimated Volume of approximately 2.2 billion shares). Following the perception that the results of the USA Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) were hawkish, the major stock indices in the USA fell the previous day, leading to risk-averse selling. The Nikkei Average dipped to 38,355.52 yen shortly after the market opened. However, as the yen weakened to the mid-154 yen range against the dollar, it provided support for the market, while the Bank of Japan continued its financial measures.

Fisco JapanDec 19 02:46 ET

TBS HD, NTV HD, etc. (additional) Rating

Upgraded - Bullish Code Stock Name Securities Company Previous Change After ------------------------------------------------------------ <4676> Fuji HD Nomura "Neutral" "Buy" Downgraded - Bearish Code Stock Name Securities Company Previous Change After ------------------------------------------------------------ <4293> Septeni

Fisco JapanDec 18 22:39 ET

Nissan Motor, Sumitomo Corporation, etc. [List of stock materials from the newspaper]

*Nissan Motor Company <7201> is in discussions for integration with Honda, planning to establish a holding company and considering a merger with Mitsubishi Motors (Nikkai Industrial Front Page) - ○ *Mitsubishi Heavy Industries <7011> appoints Mr. Ito as president, focusing on growth strategies in energy and defense (Nikkai Industrial Page 3) - ○ *NTT <9432> alongside eight major telecommunications companies, aims to restore disaster-affected communications networks quickly, expanding cooperation, sharing fuel supply bases and laying ships (Nikkai Industrial Page 3) - ○ *Mitsui Chemicals <4183> promotes decarbonization in the petrochemical sector, discussing details of collaboration among three companies (Nikkai Industrial Page 3) - ○ *Sumitomo Corporation <8053> participates in large-scale residential development in Australia, current.

Fisco JapanDec 18 18:24 ET