The Nikkei 225 started lower on the Tokyo market on the 2nd, with profit-taking selling on its gains through the previous day leading the market. Reports that the United States is expanding its military presence in the Middle East and higher oil prices are weighing on the market.
The Nikkei 225 started lower on the Tokyo stock market on the 2nd. The opening price was ¥68,313.46, down ¥643.26 from the previous day. The Nikkei 225 had risen more than ¥3,400 over the 2 days through that day, prompting selling for profit-taking purposes.
Reports that the US Department of Defense would increase its military presence in the Middle East, together with crude oil futures remaining near their highs amid uncertainty over energy supplies, also weighed on the market.
Against this backdrop, selling pressure following the short-term rise and geopolitical and energy-market uncertainty appear to be coexisting.