Nikkei 225 futures fell sharply after the close, swinging significantly toward an NT short as AI and semiconductor-related stocks declined. Buying led at the open, but the decline widened toward the end of the session.
Nikkei 225 futures (December contract) ended trading at ¥60,920, down ¥1,530 from the previous day. The market opened at ¥63,250, then traded around ¥62,400 before extending its decline. It fell as low as ¥61,430 in the middle of the morning session, but selling pressure strengthened again in the afternoon, pushing it down to ¥60,890 toward the end of the session.
Nikkei 225 futures opened higher against the backdrop of gains in U.S. markets, but declines in semiconductor and AI-related stocks weighed on the market, which turned lower again after intraday short covering. In the afternoon, it fell below its 200-day moving average, prompting long positions to be unwound. Selling into rebounds from the morning session also apparently continued.
The NT ratio for the lead futures contract fell to 15.45, again slipping below the area around the 200-day moving average. Declines in semiconductor and AI-related stocks weighed on the Nikkei 225, and attention focused on the unwinding of NT shorts, but the market extended its decline toward the afternoon, with the ratio falling to 15.45.
By broker, large transactions in Nikkei 225 futures were concentrated primarily at Société Générale Securities. In TOPIX futures, ABN AMRO Clearing Securities and Société Générale Securities accounted for high contract volumes, and transactions that influenced the market's direction were observed.