The Nikkei average is down 587 yen (as of 14:40). In terms of the contribution to the Nikkei average, companies such as Tokyo Electron <8035>, Advantest <6857>, and SoftBank Group <9984> are among the top contributors to the downside, while companies such as Fast Retailing <9983>, Chugai Pharmaceutical <4519>, and Konami Group <9766> are among the top contributors to the upside. In terms of sectors, the insurance industry, banking industry, securities and commodity futures, electric appliances, and transportation equipment are among the top decliners, while the marine transportation industry, air transportation industry, fisheries and agriculture, land transportation industry, and retail trade are among the top gainers.

The Nikkei average continues to struggle to rebound. In the United States, tonight's announcements include August retail sales, August industrial production and capacity utilization, July corporate inventories, and September's National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) housing market index. In addition, there will be a 20-year US Treasury bond auction.