Uncertainty over the outlook for AI investment spread against the backdrop of the US midterm elections, and the Nikkei Average ended down ¥3,643. The closing level was ¥57,434, with the index briefly falling below ¥60,000 intraday and at times declining by more than ¥4,300.
The Nikkei Stock Average fell ¥3,643 today to close at ¥57,434. It fell below ¥60,000 shortly after trading began, and the decline continued without finding a floor through the end of the session.
The market was reportedly affected by expectations that the “AI boom” may be slowing, with investor concerns showing no sign of easing. The decline is said to have resulted from growing views that the US midterm election results could lead to tighter regulation of AI and data centers, weighing on the investment environment.
After its sharp rise in the first half of the year, the Nikkei Average reached a record high in the ¥72,000 range in June and has since fallen approximately 20%. Some expect market trends to change depending on the midterm election results and developments in the United States.