Japan shares closed lower on Monday, with the Nikkei 225 index falling 5.24% as losses in the Paper & Pulp, Transport, and Communication sectors dragged down overall performance. The benchmark index ended at 34,740.00, reflecting significant declines across key industries. Among the top performers, Rohm Ltd (TYO: 6963) surged 7.12% to 3,474.00, marking a 52-week high. CyberAgent Inc (TYO: 4751) rose 3.72% to 1,325.50, while ZOZO Inc (TYO: 3092) gained 2.45% to 1,193.00. These gains contrasted with steep losses in other stocks, including Resonac Holdings Corp (TYO: 4004), which plummeted 12.59% to 10,655.00, and Advantest Corp. (TYO: 6857), down 11.03% to 22,875.00. Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (TYO: 5801) also fell 10.12% to 25,300.00. The market saw a net decline, with 3,422 falling stocks versus 314 advancing ones, and 93 remaining unchanged. The Nikkei Volatility index rose 28.00% to 41.05, signaling heightened uncertainty. Commodity markets mirrored the equity turmoil, with crude oil prices surging. April crude oil futures climbed 14.16% to $103.77 per barrel, while Brent crude for May delivery rose 16.29% to $107.79. Gold futures, however, dipped 1.11% to $5,101.66. Currency pairs showed mixed movements, with the USD/JPY pair advancing 0.52% to 158.62, while EUR/JPY declined 0.06% to 183.22. The US Dollar Index Futures gained 0.40% to 99.38. The broader market sentiment was further influenced by geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which spurred oil prices higher and contributed to volatility in global financial markets.#nikkei_225 #rohm_ltd #cyberagent_inc #zozo_inc #resonac_holdings_corp
Japan, Korea Stocks Rebound From Market Rout After Iran Attack Japanese stocks recovered on Thursday from a sharp decline caused by the US-Israeli strike on Iran, as improved sentiment from strong US economic data propelled gains. The blue-chip Nikkei 225 Stock Average and the broader Topix index both rose by 1.9%, reaching 55,278.06 and 3,702.67 respectively. The banking and electric appliance sectors were the main drivers of the upward movement. The rebound followed a market downturn triggered by the attack, which had unsettled global investors. However, optimism was bolstered by positive economic indicators from the United States, which helped restore confidence in riskier assets. The recovery marked a shift from the previous day’s volatility, as markets adjusted to the geopolitical tensions and their potential impact on global trade and energy prices. The Nikkei’s rebound came amid broader regional trends, with South Korean stocks also showing signs of stabilization. Analysts noted that the recovery was partly fueled by short-term technical rebounds and renewed expectations of policy support from central banks. However, lingering concerns over the conflict’s long-term economic consequences kept volatility in check, with traders closely monitoring further developments in the Middle East.#japan #us #iran #south_korea #nikkei_225
Japan Stocks Could Keep Rising Amid Government Plans and Foreign Interest Japan's stock market has taken a brief pause due to the ongoing Iran war and rising oil prices, but analysts believe the market is positioned for further gains. The new government's growth initiatives, corporate reforms, and renewed interest from foreign investors are seen as key factors that could support the market. However, valuations are not as low as in previous years, which presents a cautionary note for investors. Since 2023, investors have been optimistic about Japan's stock market, driven by the belief that the country's long-slow economy was improving, earnings growth was reasonable, valuations were attractive, and dividends and stock buybacks were increasing. Over the past five years, the Tokyo Stock Price Index, or TOPIX, has risen 99% in yen terms, while the Nikkei 225 has gained 95%. The Morningstar Japan Index has also seen significant growth, rising 86% in yen terms and 42% in USD terms. Despite the overall positive trend, the market has experienced fluctuations. In August 2024, shares fell as the Bank of Japan raised interest rates, and the yen's rise hurt the carry trade, which involves borrowing in the cheap yen to fund more expensive investments elsewhere. The market then saw a recovery, but continued to fluctuate due to concerns about tariffs, monetary tightening, and elections. The market surged again in February after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party secured a supermajority in the House of Representatives. The Iran war poses a challenge for Japan, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies are being disrupted. LNG accounts for 36% of Japan's electricity production, and the country relies heavily on imported fossil fuels. Since February 27, the TOPIX has fallen 4.2%, and the Nikkei 225 has dropped 4.#japan #toxico #nikkei_225 #toypix #prime_minister_sanae_takaichi
