The Nikkei Average fell for the second straight session on the 21st in the Tokyo stock market. As rising U.S. long-term interest rates and uncertainty in the Middle East weighed on the market, buying was seen in restaurant stocks, with Skylark Holdings and others attracting demand.
The Nikkei Stock Average fell approximately ¥200 from the previous day in the Tokyo stock market on the 21st, declining to around the mid-¥66,600 range at the close. Rising long-term interest rates and uncertainty over the situation in the Middle East dampened investor sentiment, with selling prevailing mainly in leading stocks.
Buying emerged in the restaurant sector from the opening of trading, and funds were seen flowing into restaurant stocks, led by Skylark Holdings. Even as the broader market declined, restaurant stocks at times held their ground relatively well.
In the afternoon session, some stocks, including AI-related and semiconductor-related names, attracted buying on renewed demand, temporarily narrowing the index's decline. Overall, the pace of the market's decline eased at times after the initial wave of selling had run its course.
Looking ahead, depending on developments related to the U.S. Treasury and international affairs, restaurant stocks and other domestic- and export-oriented stocks could come back into focus, according to market observers.