The Nikkei Average rebounded sharply, led by AI and semiconductor stocks, as buying spread following the previous day's US market performance. In the afternoon session, gains in cash equities widened, and the index ultimately rose to ¥66,753.
The Nikkei Average began trading with a rebound, opening ¥647 higher at ¥66,128. It stood at ¥66,318 at the morning close. Although gains were capped at times after the initial wave of buying, upward pressure on cash equities strengthened into the afternoon, and the index maintained its gains through the end of the session. It ultimately rebounded sharply, closing ¥1,272 higher than the previous day at ¥66,753. The TOPIX rebounded, up 67 points at 4,108 points, while the TSE Growth Market 250 also rose.
Among individual stocks, SUMCO rose 9.1% to ¥3,316, helped by an upgrade in its investment rating by a foreign securities firm. SoftBank Group rose 6.6% on reports concerning financing related to investee OpenAI. Take＆Give・Nees surged 17.2% to ¥867 after the introduction of a shareholder benefit program was well received. Advance Create fell 15.3% following its designation as a security under special supervision, among other developments.
Dynamic Map Platform ended 23.3% higher at ¥1,586 after its demonstration project for automated logistics roads was selected for a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism program. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with Kajima Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric and Seino Holdings, was supported by expectations for unmanned and automated logistics technologies.
VIEW POINT noted that the Nikkei Average's sharp gain today marked its second consecutive monthly advance, while the direction of the US August PCE price index due to be released tonight is expected to attract attention. Trading in the Japanese and US markets tomorrow may be affected.