Amid a sharp decline in the Nikkei 225, Kioxia Holdings was expected to attract buying demand, while ABC-Mart's and Tsuruha Holdings' earnings were treated as market catalysts.
The Nikkei 225 extended its sharp decline today, with the drop approaching ¥1,000 and the index closing below ¥70,000. Falling US markets and higher long-term interest rates weighed on sentiment, spreading selling across the market, particularly in technology stocks. According to a news agency's flash report, stocks such as SoftBank Group and Tokyo Electron led the decline, while approximately 76% of stocks on the TSE Prime Market traded lower.
Kioxia Holdings attracted market attention after its free-float ratio was raised, and reports said buying by TOPIX-linked funds was expected. However, the increase in free float kept the stock price reaction limited in morning trading.
ABC-Mart released its results for the first half of the fiscal year ending February 2027, reporting an increase in operating profit from the same period a year earlier. Sales to visitors to Japan were strong due to the weaker yen, and growth in overseas revenue was also favorably received. The company consequently revised upward its full-year operating profit forecast.
Tsuruha Holdings released its results for the first half of the fiscal year ending February 2027, reporting a sharp year-on-year increase in operating profit. Many market participants attributed the result to synergies from the management integration with Welcia Holdings and an improvement in the gross margin.