The Nikkei Average traded slightly higher in the morning session. Buying in selected semiconductor stocks supported the index, while the TOPIX fell, weighed down by the stronger yen and higher crude oil prices.
The Nikkei Average stood at ¥66,445.13 at the morning close, up ¥45.29 from the previous day, for a slight gain, while the TOPIX traded at 4,102.05, down 23.75 points. Trading volume was 931.04 million shares and trading value was ¥3.9778 trillion. By sector, information and communications, oil and coal products, and securities and commodity futures advanced, while transportation equipment, rubber products, and precision instruments declined.
As of 10:15 a.m., the Nikkei Average had narrowed its decline and turned positive after briefly falling more than 600 points. Market participants were reported to believe that SoftBank Group, Advantest and Tokyo Electron were together lifting the Nikkei by approximately 600 points. Meanwhile, the stronger yen and higher crude oil prices weighed on the market, and the TOPIX remained in negative territory.
At the open, the Nikkei Average fell ¥556.15 from the previous day to ¥65,843.69, starting lower amid selling across a broad range of sectors as there were few factors supporting gains.