The Nikkei Average fell sharply on 18 August as AI and semiconductor stocks declined. It closed at ¥67,460.73, down approximately ¥1,759 from the previous day, while TOPIX also fell.
On 18 August, the Nikkei Stock Average fell sharply by ¥1,759.52 from the previous day to ¥67,460.73 in its first decline in six sessions on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Profit-taking in AI and semiconductor stocks, which had recently risen, intensified, and the index's decline widened even as the numbers of advancing and declining stocks on the TSE Prime Market were roughly even.
The decline deepened during the afternoon session, with the index hitting the day's low of ¥67,368.96 at 3:07 p.m. TOPIX fell 43.89 points, trading volume was 2.21462 billion shares and trading value was approximately ¥10 trillion, while stock advances and declines continued to favor decliners.
太陽誘電, 村田製作所 and リガクHD were among the top decliners by percentage, while さくらHD, 弁護士コム and GMOインターネット were among the top gainers. Rising long-term interest rates and the yen's depreciation also affected overall market conditions, with the electrical equipment sector posting a particularly sharp decline.