US stocks are expected to remain in a wait-and-see mood ahead of the midterm elections, while overseas short-term investors bought Japanese stocks ahead of the September dividend entitlement date. Market trends during the week may be driven by interest rates and crude oil prices in the US and Europe, as well as movements in AI-related stocks.
The US stock market was influenced by movements in long-term interest rates and crude oil prices as it awaited the midterm elections. The Dow rebounded on 9/17 before edging lower on 9/18. Semiconductor and AI-related stocks continued to drive the market, with the Dow and Nasdaq showing mixed performances.
In the Chinese market, the Shanghai Composite fell on 9/17 before rebounding on 9/18, amid concerns over US monetary policy and the impact of crude oil prices. Government industrial-support policies and domestic demand drove share-price movements, while the market's future direction came to depend on developments in the international situation.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose sharply, gaining 213 yen on 9/17 and 882 yen on 9/18, supported by AI- and semiconductor-related stocks. Expectations for a Bank of Japan rate hike and movements in US interest rates influenced investor sentiment, while overseas short-term investors bought stocks ahead of the September interim dividend entitlement date.
Daiichi Sankyo, Hitachi, Ltd. and Sony were among the companies highlighted as strong performers, and movements in individual stocks stood out as a factor pushing up the Nikkei 225.