The Nikkei Stock Average narrowed its decline from the previous day at the afternoon opening on the 21st, with buying apparently supported by investors’ assessment of solid corporate earnings. This suggests that the selling seen through the morning was beginning to subside.
The Nikkei Stock Average opened the afternoon session at ¥66,075.91, down ¥140.88 from the previous day. After the morning’s selling had run its course, some market participants believed that buying had emerged on assessments of solid corporate earnings.
At the morning close, the Nikkei was down ¥208.34 from the previous day at ¥66,008.45, marking a decline for the day, as selling continued on concerns over falls in US stocks and rising long-term interest rates. However, once the selling had run its course, some buying back of AI-related shares was also seen.
Across the market, approximately 59% of stocks declined and 36% advanced. Trading volume was approximately 995.39 million shares, while trading value was approximately ¥4.0209 trillion. By sector, indices for other products, precision instruments and pharmaceuticals declined, while marine transportation, oil and coal products, and insurance advanced.
The Nikkei opened lower and continued to move in response to developments in US stock futures, but the selling appeared to have run its course.