At the opening of the afternoon session, the Nikkei Average started at ¥66,075.91, down ¥140.88 from the previous day, with ASICS and IHI moving lower. Dollar-yen remained at a weak-yen, strong-dollar level, while futures stayed within a range.
Buying was slightly stronger in the Tokyo market during the afternoon session compared with the morning close, but the Nikkei Average fell to ¥66,075.91 and started down ¥140.88 from the previous day. The daytime Nikkei 225 futures moved sideways in the ¥65,920–¥66,040 range, while dollar-yen moved to around ¥159.00–¥159.10 per dollar as the yen weakened and the dollar strengthened.
By sector, Other Products, Precision Instruments and Pharmaceuticals ranked among the biggest decliners, while Marine Transportation, Oil and Coal Products and Mining showed signs of gains. ASICS, Fast Retailing and IHI ranked among the top stocks by trading value on the TSE Prime Market, with declining and advancing stocks mixed among the most actively traded names.
As for overall market trends, there is speculation that rising long-term U.S. Treasury yields are pushing up domestic interest rates and weighing on share prices. Trends in the South Korean and Hong Kong markets, as well as movements in Dow futures, were also cited as factors affecting price movements in the Tokyo market, and reactions in individual stocks are being closely watched.
Last updated: 8/21 (Fri.) 12:52, reported as a breaking news item by FISCO.