[Nikkei Stock Average and TOPIX (Table)]

Nikkei average; 39,649.21; +307.67. TOPIX; 2,812.87; +19.17. The afternoon session of the Nikkei average started with a decrease in the margin from the previous day's close (39,727.91 yen) with 39649.21 yen, an increase of 307.67 yen compared to the previous day. During lunchtime, the Nikkei 225 futures were in a range of 39,600 to 39,690 yen. The USD/JPY exchange rate has weakened by about 30 yen from around 9 a.m. to 160.90-161.00 yen. In Asia, the Shanghai composite index started slightly lower, but has risen about 0.9% steadily since then, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong has turned upward after starting lower in the morning, but with a lack of direction, it has risen about 0.3%.

The Tokyo market in the afternoon started with a slight selling pressure compared to the morning. In addition, there are concerns about the PCE price index that the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) is focusing on in the United States, as well as political instability in Europe and caution about foreign exchange intervention, which have caused some investors to refrain from active buying. However, the yen's depreciation and the dollar's appreciation are seen as supporting factors for pushing up the profits of export-oriented companies and providing a sense of security in the Tokyo market, as well as the strong movement of Dow Jones average futures. In the sector, insurance, banking and marine transportation are among the top gainers, while electrical and gas utilities, food and air transportation are among the top losers.

Summary of the start of the afternoon session

In the top volume of transactions on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market: IHI<7013>, MS&AD<8725>, Mitsui & Co.<7003>, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group<8306>, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha<9107>, ITOCHU<8001>, Laser Tech<6920>, Advantest<6857>, Tokyo Marine Holdings<8766>, and Mitsubishi Electric<6503> are high. On the other hand, Shiseido (4911), Hokkaido Electric Power (9509), Rakuten Group (4755), Nidec Corporation sponsored ADR (6594), NEC (6701), Asics (7936), Nintendo Co Ltd (7974), JT (2914), TEPCO Holdings<9501>, and Aisin Seiki<7259> are declining.

The Nikkei225 is a Japanese stock market index for the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which tracks the top 225 blue-chip companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The index is price-weighted and tracks both domestic and international sectors in the Japanese economy.

Futures are financial contracts that obligate the buyer to purchase an asset or the seller to sell an asset, such as a commodity or financial instrument, at a predetermined future date and price.

Asia should be translated as "Asia". Foods should be translated as "foods". Marine transportation should be translated as "marine transportation". Sector should be translated as "sector". Banks should be translated as "banks". Index ETF should be translated as "Index ETF". Start should be translated as "start". Shanghai should be translated as "Shanghai". European index should be translated as "European index". Main board should be translated as "main board". Nidec Corporation sponsored ADR should be translated as "Nidec Corporation sponsored ADR". Rakuten should be translated as "Rakuten". Buy should be translated as "buy". Dow Inc should be translated as "Dow Inc". Sell should be translated as "sell". Electrical utilities should be translated as "electrical utilities". Nintendo Co Ltd should be translated as "Nintendo Co Ltd". Shiseido Company, Limited sponsored ADR should be translated as "Shiseido Company, Limited sponsored ADR". Air transportation should be translated as "air transportation". USA should be translated as "USA". Futures should be translated as "futures". Insurance should be translated as "insurance".