On the 8th, Japan's Nikkei Average fell for the first time in 3 trading days, closing at ¥65,269.33, down ¥1,130.51, or 1.70%, from the previous day. It opened at ¥65,844 and accelerated its decline in the afternoon as a stronger yen and higher oil prices weighed on the market.
The Nikkei Average fell sharply from the previous day on the 8th, closing at ¥65,269.33 and declining for the first time in 3 trading days. It opened at ¥65,844, after which gains remained constrained. The morning high was ¥66,792, and the decline accelerated in the afternoon after the index moved around ¥66,664.
Selling spread amid concerns over a deterioration in the situation in the Middle East and rising oil prices, with the Nikkei Average extending its losses toward the close. Among large-cap stocks, Murata Manufacturing, TDK, Ibiden and Sumitomo Electric Industries all fell, while SoftBank Group rose.
In the U.S. market, all 3 major indexes declined. Energy-related stocks attracted attention, with healthcare, financial and materials stocks falling by sector, while energy and real estate stocks rose. Among individual stocks, Eli Lilly, NVIDIA and AMD declined, while Intel, Tesla and Broadcom rose.
Views were expressed that oil prices would continue rising against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East. Attacks on facilities related to Saudi Arabia were reported, heightening concerns over the U.S. military response and international markets.