Buying is expected to spread to physical AI-related stocks following FANUC's earnings announcement. Amid developments in the US and China and higher crude oil prices, semiconductor stocks may also see buying aimed at a technical rebound.
Japanese stocks opened lower on the 26th before shifting to a search for a bottom in semiconductor and AI-related stocks, with the focus on whether the previous day's decline in US markets and higher crude oil prices can support the broader market. The yen is trading with the dollar firming, and investor sentiment remains cautious.
In the US, economically sensitive stocks were sold, while Micron Technology and Marvell Technology gained, and the SOX Index showed signs of a rebound. Attention is focused on buying aimed at a technical rebound in AI-related stocks, particularly large caps such as Advantest, Tokyo Electron, Kioxia Holdings and SoftBank Group.
Inflow into resource stocks is expected to continue against the backdrop of higher crude oil prices, while the environment remains conducive to fund flows into cybersecurity-related stocks as a measure against information leaks. FANUC's announcement of an upward revision to its full-year forecast and a share buyback is seen as potentially spreading buying interest to physical AI-related stocks.
The performance of Takara Holdings, System Location, Rasa Corporation, Medipal Holdings, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, KOA, Nagano Keiki and Bank of the Ryukyus, which announced their earnings late last week, also remains a focus for the market.