Last week saw a succession of reports of information leaks caused by cyberattacks, sending internet security stocks sharply higher. ブロードバンドセキュリティ and サイバーセキュリティクラウド posted particularly strong gains.
In the Japanese market last week, a succession of disclosures concerning information leaks caused by cyberattacks sent internet security-related stocks to the top of the gainers' rankings. ブロードバンドセキュリティ surged 96.0% from the previous Friday's close, while サイバーセキュリティクラウド rose 87.5%. The concentration of the market capitalization of security-related stocks in small-cap names was also cited as a contributing factor.
Among semiconductor-related stocks, Advantest rose 7.7% to set a new all-time high, keeping the strength of semiconductor testing equipment stocks in focus. ローツェ announced upward revisions to its earnings forecast for the current fiscal year and an increase in its dividend, driving a gain of nearly 22%, while attention also focused on the performance of AI-related stocks. The Nikkei Average returned to the ¥70,000 range at one point for the first time in 3 months, and an improving market mood supported the broader market.
This week, escalating tensions in the Middle East could push up crude oil prices, putting the performance of energy and resource-related stocks in focus. Meanwhile, with earnings announcements from ASML and TSMC approaching, spillover effects among semiconductor-related stocks, led by AI-related names, could re-emerge.