Advantest surged on the back of its raised earnings forecast. Hitachi and NEC plunged, while the Nikkei average extended its advance for a third straight day.
In today's Tokyo market, the Nikkei average advanced for a third straight day, with buying initially focused on semiconductor-related stocks following the previous day's US market performance. The Nikkei widened its gains into the afternoon, rising as high as ¥64,831.29, although declining stocks outnumbered advancers across the TSE Prime Market.
Among individual stocks, Advantest posted a sharp third consecutive advance after announcing its first-half results for the fiscal year ending March 2027, reporting a substantial year-on-year increase in operating profit and raising its full-year forecast. The company also announced an increase in its interim dividend and a share buyback.
Hitachi, meanwhile, suffered a sharp decline for the first time in three sessions. Although its adjusted operating profit for the first half increased year on year, the upward revision to its full-year forecast was modest. NEC also fell sharply for a fourth straight day. Its first-half results showed profit growth, but the market broadly viewed them as lacking a positive surprise.
In the US market, the advance estimate of third-quarter GDP and the September PCE price index are due to be released, while the results of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting are scheduled to be announced the following day.