The Nikkei fell sharply on the Tokyo stock market on the 22nd, closing below ¥60,000 for the first time in approximately three months. It fell ¥1,713.40 from the previous day, while TOPIX also declined. Selling in semiconductor and AI-related stocks, along with the stronger yen, weighed on the market.
The Nikkei fell sharply in the afternoon session on the 22nd, declining ¥1,713.40 from the previous day to ¥62,907.84. Its intraday low fell below ¥60,000. On a closing-price basis, the Nikkei fell below ¥60,000 for the first time since 30 July. Trading volume on the TSE Prime Market was 2,191.67 million shares, with trading value of ¥7.0569 trillion.
By sector, 20 of the 33 sectors declined, while 13 advanced. Many non-ferrous metal and glass and ceramics stocks fell, while mining and insurance stocks were firm. Among individual stocks, 三井金属, 古河電工, 日東紡, NGK and Advantest declined, while INPEX and 石油資源 were firm.
The market came under increased selling pressure in AI-related and semiconductor-related stocks following a decline in Lam Research in after-hours trading. Market sentiment was also affected by concerns that a critical vulnerability had been found in PHP, the programming language used to develop websites.
In foreign exchange markets, dollar-yen temporarily moved toward yen strength, reaching around ¥157.06 from morning levels. Against the backdrop of overseas factors and movements in the domestic market, the overall market is expected to remain weak.