Expectations that selling will continue amid weakness in U.S. tech stocks are growing, with the Nikkei 225's expected range on the 23rd set at ¥62,000–¥63,000.
In U.S. trading on the 22nd, the Dow rose $11.89 to $52,867.98, while the Nasdaq Composite fell sharply, down 694.00 points at 26,008.86. Against this backdrop, selling of semiconductor and AI-related stocks was expected to continue in the Tokyo market on the 23rd, with the Nikkei 225 expected to open sharply lower. Investor sentiment weakened in overnight trading after Disco declined.
Concerns over the profitability of AI-related stocks were cited as a factor behind the decline in U.S. equities on the 22nd, with Meta Platforms and Lam Research suffering sharp losses. Defensive stocks attracted buying at times, but selling pressure on semiconductor and AI-related stocks strengthened overall. Nikkei 225 futures in the Tokyo market's night session touched a low of around ¥62,310.