The Nikkei 225 rose sharply to ¥66,460.11, gaining 2.21% from the previous day. The market’s recovery appears to have been led primarily by buying in AI-related stocks.
The Tokyo market rose sharply, with the Nikkei 225 ending trading at ¥66,460.11. The index gained ¥1,439.17 from the previous day, outperforming the TOPIX, while buying in strongly thematic stocks, particularly AI-related names, supported the market. Overseas markets, including New York, were modestly lower, and concerns about a risk-off shift in overseas markets also remained.
Market participants point to theme-driven buying of AI-related stocks as a factor pushing up the index. AI-related stocks were also viewed in news coverage as a factor influencing the direction of the market as a whole, in a setting where expanding demand resulting from the spread of AI investment was anticipated.
Key stocks influencing the market included Advantest, Lasertec, Tokyo Electron, TDK, Socionext and SoftBank Group. The focus was on expectations for expanding AI-related demand, increased orders and earnings growth at each company. More specifically, demand for AI applications was expected to drive growth in sales and operating profit, while changes in ROE levels were also attracting attention.
AI-related theme stocks were seen as the primary driver of the index’s recovery in the day’s market trading. At the same time, some market participants cautioned that attention should be paid to movements in US equities, fluctuations in semiconductor supply and demand, and the risk of a renewed risk-off shift overseas.