The Nikkei Average fell below ¥60,000 amid concerns over AI investment following the US midterm elections, triggering a global stock-market sell-off. We interviewed 9 individual investors about how they are navigating the turbulent market.
The Nikkei Average fell sharply on 6 November, closing at ¥57,434, down ¥3,643 from the previous day. It fell below ¥60,000 in the morning, and the decline exceeded ¥4,300 at one point. Following the Democratic Party's sweeping victory in the US midterm elections, views spread that expectations for AI investment and data center construction would recede, sending the entire market sharply lower.
A synchronized global sell-off followed declines in the three major US indexes, spreading beyond Japan to South Korea and overseas markets. Fund flows were particularly pronounced in AI- and semiconductor-related stocks, and investor sentiment became increasingly unsettled.
Individual investors expressed a range of views, including continuing long-term regular investments, keeping their distance from the news, and reassessing holdings by focusing on dividends and earnings even during declines. Some were considering reviewing their asset allocations rather than trying to profit from a short-term rebound.
In light of the current market conditions, the prevailing views centered on strengthening risk management in response to the crash, reviewing existing holdings and continuing diversified investing with a long-term perspective. Investors were seen maintaining their individual strategies without attempting to forecast when the market would recover.