The Nikkei Average closed at ¥65,142.78, down ¥126.55 from the previous day, marking a second consecutive decline. Selling prevailed against the backdrop of worsening Middle East tensions, erasing the morning's temporary gains.
The Nikkei Stock Average closed at ¥65,142.78, down ¥126.55 from the previous day, and remained weak throughout the session. Trading volume was 2,300,290,000 shares, while trading value was approximately ¥9.2303 trillion. Developments in U.S. markets through the previous day and heightened tensions in the Middle East appear to have affected investor sentiment.
The index opened lower, although it traded near its highs at times during the morning session. Selling gained the upper hand in the afternoon, resulting in a pronounced decline in the Nikkei Average. Some semiconductor and AI-related stocks attracted buying, with some observers pointing to the SOX Index's four-session winning streak as a source of support.
Market participants refrained from aggressive trading ahead of next week's SQ calculation, with a monetary policy meeting also approaching. Among individual stocks, Kioxia Holdings and others were weak, while some issues, including SoftBank Group, were firm on active trading.
Positive contributors to the Nikkei Average were limited, while negative contributions predominated. By sector, 16 sectors rose, led by nonferrous metals, oil and coal products, and mining, while securities, services, and retail were among the sectors with the steepest declines.