Amid a lack of fresh catalysts, expectations are growing that a wait-and-see stance toward the Nikkei 225 will strengthen. The expected range for the Nikkei 225 today is ¥64,500–¥65,500.
In U.S. trading on the 19th, the Dow was down $36.38 at $51,966.03, while the Nasdaq Composite was up 290.86 points at 26,430.89 points. Against a backdrop of a lack of catalysts in the Tokyo market, the Nikkei 225 briefly fell below the ¥64,000 level early in the session. Buying then returned, and the candlestick formed a small bullish candle with a long lower shadow.
In the Japanese market, movements in semiconductor and AI-related stocks were closely watched. Reports that CXMT’s sales in the January-September 2026 period would exceed eight times the year-earlier level prompted buybacks. Meanwhile, profit-taking spread among defensive stocks that had risen to date. Higher U.S. crude oil prices, amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, also weighed on the market.
For the outlook on the 20th, gains in U.S. semiconductor-related stocks could provide support, but concerns over the debt problems of AI-related companies remain, so a wait-and-see stance is expected to strengthen. With Japanese and U.S. earnings announcements ahead, the lack of new catalysts is also expected to have a similar impact.
Upside targets include the psychological levels of ¥66,037, ¥66,426 and ¥67,000, while downside levels include ¥64,000, ¥63,000, ¥62,726 and ¥62,000.