Japanese shares experienced mixed trading on Thursday, with the Nikkei 225 Index declining while the broader Topix Index rose. The market lacked clear direction, influenced by overnight losses on Wall Street and a downturn in technology stocks. President Trump’s tariff imposition on AI chips weighed on the tech sector, offsetting gains in financial and consumer stocks.
- The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.42% to close at 54,110.
- Technology stocks experienced pressure following US tariffs on AI chips.
- Advantest (-2.5%), SoftBank Group (-4.9%) and Disco Corp (-1.5%) saw notable losses.
- Financial and consumer stocks generally advanced.
- Mitsubishi UFJ (2.9%) and Nintendo (2.3%) experienced gains.
- Toyota group raised its offer to privatize Toyota Industries Corp. by 15% to 18,800 yen per share.
- Honda Motor plans to increase production of cheaper gasoline-fueled vehicles this year.
The performance of the Nikkei appears vulnerable to international trade policies and the performance of the technology sector. While some segments of the market, like financials and consumer goods, demonstrate resilience, external factors and sector-specific headwinds can significantly influence overall market direction and investor sentiment. Corporate actions, such as privatization bids and production plans, also contribute to market dynamics, creating opportunities and uncertainties for investors.