Nikkei Rises 1.24%, Supported by Property and Banking Stocks
Japanese stock markets closed higher in Thursday's trading (August 13), with the Nikkei 225 index rising approximately 1.24%. The gains were primarily driven by the property, banking, and textile sectors, which helped sustain positive sentiment in the Tokyo market.
Several stocks recorded sharp gains. Toppan Printing surged 10.78%, Murata Manufacturing rose 10.25%, and Taiyo Yuden climbed 6.53%. These gains were key drivers for the index throughout the trading session.
Conversely, some stocks remained in negative territory. Kao Corp fell 3.58%, Fanuc declined 3.20%, and Shift Inc dropped 2.99%. Overall, however, the number of advancing stocks outnumbered those that declined.
Tokyo Stock Exchange data showed 2,075 stocks rising, 1,391 falling, and 276 closing unchanged. Despite the index's rise, the Nikkei Volatility index surged approximately 28.29% to 32.06, indicating that investors are still factoring in the risk of significant short-term price swings.
In other markets, oil prices weakened, with WTI falling to around US$82.72 per barrel and Brent to US$88.45. Gold futures also declined to approximately US$4,436.97 per troy ounce. Meanwhile, the USD/JPY exchange rate remained relatively stable around 159.39, keeping the yen near levels that had previously sparked speculation about market intervention.
Newsmaker Analysis: The Nikkei's rise indicates continued strong interest in Japanese equities, particularly in the banking and technology sectors. However, the surge in volatility and the yen's position near the 160 level remain risks that warrant close attention. If the yen weakens further, the threat of intervention could rise again and trigger volatility in the Japanese stock market.
Source: Newsmaker.id
