The Nikkei 225 rose sharply during the morning session after the holiday break. Buying in AI and semiconductor-related stocks and falling crude oil prices lifted the market, with the morning-session close rising to 65,883.41 and the index recovering to around 66,249 during the day.
Buying led gains in the Tokyo market after the holiday break, with the Nikkei 225 morning-session close up 864.46 points from the previous Friday at 65,883.41.
The index rose as high as 66,249 during trading, reclaiming the 66,000 level for the first time in about 2 weeks.
AI and semiconductor-related stocks led the gains. Advantest lifted the Nikkei 225, while SoftBank Group, Ibiden and Tokyo Electron also contributed.
The gains were driven by moves in overseas markets during the holiday break and falling crude oil prices. Lower oil prices eased concerns over energy costs and provided a buying catalyst for technology stocks. Going forward, it will be important to monitor semiconductor stocks as well as interest rates and overseas market trends.
Looking ahead, the continued strength of semiconductor and AI stocks, crude oil price trends, US interest rates, and movements in the dollar-yen exchange rate are key factors that could influence the Nikkei 225. Particular attention is focused on US long-term interest rates and whether the yen's weakness will continue.