The Nikkei Average rose for a third consecutive day, closing the morning session at ¥66,445.13. SoftBank Group was the top positive contributor, lifting the index by approximately ¥345.
At the morning close on the 8th, the Nikkei Average had only limited positive drivers compared with the previous day. With 82 advancing issues versus 143 declining issues, the difference in the number of advancing and declining issues highlighted the market's overall lack of upside momentum. After trading around the ¥66,400 level during the morning session, the index ultimately maintained a small gain at the close of the session.
The Nikkei Average fell to ¥65,843.69 at the opening, but narrowed its decline after selling subsided. Oil-related stocks were bought against a backdrop of higher crude oil prices, while funds also flowed into information and communications stocks. As of 11:30, the Nikkei Average stood at ¥66,445.13, with positive contributors outweighing negative contributors.
The leading positive contributors included SoftBank Group, Advantest, Fast Retailing and Kioxia Holdings, with SoftBank Group contributing approximately ¥345 to the advance. The stocks that followed also gained ground, and the market overall remained near the previous day's closing level.
Meanwhile, TDK was the top negative contributor, weighing on the index by approximately ¥62, followed by Ibiden, Recruit Holdings, Murata Manufacturing and Nitto Denko. By sector, information and communications, as well as oil and coal products, supported the market, while selling pressure was seen in transportation equipment and precision instruments.