The Nikkei Average rose to around ¥66,380, up approximately ¥520 from the previous day, shortly after 2 p.m., reaching an intraday high of ¥66,442.34 during the afternoon session. Buying was dominant, led by semiconductor-related stocks amid a weaker yen.
In Tokyo trading on the 26th, the Nikkei Stock Average rose to around ¥66,380, up approximately ¥520 from the previous day, shortly after 2 p.m. At 1:33 p.m., its gain widened to ¥585.91, taking it to an intraday high of ¥66,442.34. The yen remained around ¥159 to the dollar, and buying spread mainly among export-related stocks.
Semiconductor-related stocks stood out among the top stocks by trading value on the Prime Market, with Kioxia in the top spot, followed by Fujikura, Advantest, Taiyo Yuden and SoftBank Group. NTT, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Fujikura, Sony Financial Group and SoftBank ranked among the top stocks by trading volume.
The Nikkei had also closed around ¥65,750 on the 25th, extending its advance for a second consecutive session. The yen traded around ¥159 to the dollar, and expectations of improved export profitability encouraged buying in automobile and electrical-equipment stocks. Many market participants expect fund inflows into semiconductor-related stocks to continue.
Market participants pointed to the possibility that the Nikkei could recover the ¥66,000 level and see stronger momentum toward higher levels. Concentration of funds in semiconductor-related stocks and the weaker yen were cited as positive factors for equities overall. With earnings announcements and U.S. economic indicators due this week, many market participants said they wanted to assess the market's direction.