In the afternoon session on the 21st, the Nikkei average briefly rose more than ¥1,300, driven by short covering in semiconductor-related stocks. The dollar-yen pair softened in the afternoon, while Advantest and Tokyo Electron contributed to the market's performance.
The Nikkei average rebounded from its sharp morning decline, with short covering in semiconductor-related stocks leading the afternoon session and briefly pushing the gain above ¥1,300. Advantest and Tokyo Electron lifted the market, while SoftBank Group and other related stocks also moved.
On a daily basis, the Nikkei average ended the morning session at ¥64,823.55, and the afternoon session was expected to focus on the strength of profit-taking near ¥65,000. U.S. markets were mixed, with the Dow supported by buying while the Nasdaq was subdued. Among economic indicators, the trade deficit exceeded market expectations.
The dollar-yen pair moved softly toward the lower half of the ¥158 range, affecting moves in the cross-yen pairs. There was also information that 8 stocks had hit their limit highs among the names on the afternoon watchlist.
The economic indicators and key officials' comments section reported economic events in Japan and abroad. Future market trends are expected to be influenced by movements in major stocks, U.S. stock futures and Asian markets.