The Nikkei fell for a fifth straight session as semiconductor-related stocks sold off following ASML's results, with Tokyo Electron and Lasertec turning lower. The index lost momentum rapidly in the afternoon and extended its losses toward the close.
On the 14th, the Nikkei fell modestly for a fifth consecutive trading day, closing ¥33.23 lower at ¥67,744.29. Estimated trading volume was 2.18 billion shares. Buying emerged in hopes of a technical rebound following the previous day's decline. Semiconductor and AI-related stocks rose at times during the day, but semiconductor-related stocks sold off around 2 p.m. after ASML announced its results for the July-September 2026 quarter, causing the Nikkei to lose momentum in the afternoon.
Tokyo Electron and Lasertec turned lower in the afternoon, and the Nikkei fell again after briefly rebounding to ¥68,408.14. Fast Retailing, SoftBank Group, Recruit Holdings and Fujikura, which have a major impact on the index, rose, while Tokyo Electron, Olympus, Kioxia Holdings and Terumo fell.
Although major US stock indexes fell on the 13th, the Nikkei moved higher at times as investors bought back positions following the decline through the previous day and short-term traders bought futures. Tech stocks came under selling pressure at times following ASML's results, while caution ahead of the US CPI release affected the broader market.