The Nikkei Stock Average ended the morning session down ¥790 in a sharp decline, after briefly falling below ¥64,000. Losses subsequently narrowed, and trading shifted into a range-bound pattern.
At the midday close on the 19th, the Nikkei Stock Average had fallen sharply by ¥790.26 from the previous weekend to ¥64,534.03, while the Tokyo Stock Price Index (TOPIX) also declined. Selling led by weakness in U.S. stocks and AI-related factors sent the index down to ¥63,383.78 at 9:16 a.m.
Trading volume on the TSE Prime Market was 917.96 million shares, with turnover of ¥3.2947 trillion. There were 656 advancers, 845 decliners, and 50 unchanged issues. By sector, 12 of the 33 sectors declined and 21 rose. Nonferrous metals and semiconductor-related stocks were lower, while mining, marine transportation, and oil and coal stocks rose.
The exchange rate was around ¥157.90 per dollar, with the yen slightly firmer. Individual stocks were generally soft alongside the Nikkei's decline, with Taiyo Yuden, Lasertec, Marumae, Dip, and FIG among the decliners. JP… and other stocks were firm when attempting to rebound.