As the Nikkei 225 fell, House Foods Group Inc. was reported to be considering selling its subsidiary ICHIBANYA, while Nippon Gas announced a stock split and dividend increase. The report covers speculation about an acquisition of ICHIBANYA, the share price reaction and moves in the Nikkei market.
The Nikkei Stock Average fell, weighed down by movements in long-term interest rates following developments in the US market. Although the Nikkei 225 declined from the previous day, there were periods in the afternoon when the decline narrowed.
House Foods Group Inc., which operates ICHIBANYA, was reported to be considering selling ICHIBANYA, prompting the stock to rise on speculation about a potential purchase.
Nippon Gas announced a 1-to-3 stock split with 30 September as the record date, along with a ¥0.5 increase in the dividend to ¥55 per share on a pre-split basis. The measures attracted attention because of their potential to improve liquidity and the stock's high yield.
Elsewhere, eSOL was reported to be considering going private through an MBO, and individual stocks saw active trading.