The Nikkei Average is down approximately 13% from its June peak. Share prices have plunged, particularly among stocks that had driven AI and semiconductor shares. Expert views are also presented.
The Nikkei Stock Average reached a peak of ¥72,831 on 22 June, while its current closing level is approximately ¥63,268, down about 13% from the record high. AI and semiconductor stocks had supported the market, but slowing share-price momentum has been cited as a factor behind the decline.
SoftBank Group (SBG) and Kioxia Holdings are said to have seen their market capitalizations surge in June as the “2 stocks that had driven the Nikkei Average,” while some have pointed out that their share prices have recently fallen by more than half. SBG reached a year-to-date high of ¥9,074, while Kioxia reached an all-time high of ¥112,700 since its listing.
Some have said that the AI bubble is on the verge of bursting, and the views of Isao Obata (小幡 績) of Keio University are presented as an expert perspective. Alongside the Nikkei Average's movements, attention is focused on the outlook for AI and semiconductor stocks.
The rise of Chinese companies and the impact of crude oil prices have also been cited as factors affecting market trends, but the article avoids drawing specific conclusions about causation. In subsequent coverage, the focus is expected to be on movements in AI stocks and major names.