The Nikkei average is down 490 yen (as of 2:40 pm). In terms of Nikkei average contribution, SoftBank Group <9984>, Fast Retailing <9983>, Fanuc Corp <6954>, among others, are among the top negative contributors, while Advantest <6857>, Terumo <4543>, Nitori Holdings <9843>, among others, are among the top positive contributors. In sectors, securities commodity futures, wholesale trade, banking, transportation equipment, and insurance are among the top decliners, while precision instruments, mining, and electric and gas utilities are on the rise.

The Nikkei average continues to trade in a low range with sluggish rebound. Later today, the Nobel Prize in Physics will be announced. In the USA, tonight, the trade balance for August will be announced, along with the auction of 3-year US Treasury notes.