As the Nikkei Stock Average fell for a fifth consecutive day, Aeon's results highlighted struggles in food retail, J. Front Retailing fell, and Takeuchi Manufacturing rose. A video summary also touched on developments in the United States, highlighting the day's market focus.
The Nikkei Stock Average fell slightly for a fifth consecutive day. While the market continued to decline from the previous day, dip buying briefly emerged in the afternoon session before the index fell back again toward the close. Selling in semiconductor memory-related stocks and weakness in major financial stocks were cited as factors behind the decline in U.S. markets, while the U.S. CPI release scheduled for tonight attracted attention.
Among individual stocks, Aeon reported its results. Operating profit increased year on year but fell short of market expectations, and its share price fell sharply against a backdrop of struggles in food retail. Drugstores and Aeon Mall were firm, but the widening loss at its general merchandise stores was a negative factor.
J. Front Retailing raised its full-year profit forecast, reflecting the impact of a decline in sales at Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores from the previous year and its store strategy, but the market reaction was weak and the share price fell. There was also a view that sales would remain firm.
Takeuchi Manufacturing reported higher operating profit year on year for the first half and raised its full-year forecast. Higher unit sales in North America and Europe contributed, and the company also announced an increase in its year-end dividend and a share buyback.