[Nikkei Stock Average and TOPIX (Table)]

Nikkei Average: 38,768.94, +47.28

TOPIX: 2,720.52, +12.10

Summary of the start of the afternoon session

In the afternoon, the Nikkei Average opened slightly higher than the previous day at 38,768.94 yen, up 47.28 yen from the morning close (38,761.02 yen), and the gain expanded. During lunchtime, the Nikkei 225 futures traded in a range of 38,730 yen to 38,840 yen. The dollar-yen exchange rate was around 155.80-90 yen from around 9 a.m., with the yen slightly weaker and the dollar higher. In the Asian market, the Shanghai Composite Index is generally trading at a slightly lower level, down by about 0.2%, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index initially fell at the opening but temporarily rose before facing strong resistance, eventually dropping by about 0.6%.

The Tokyo market in the afternoon started with a slightly bullish tone compared to the morning close. The yen's depreciation and the dollar's strength in the foreign exchange market seem to be supporting stock prices in the Tokyo stock market. However, there is still a sense of caution regarding the policies of the upcoming Trump administration in the United States. Furthermore, with the announcement of the U.S. wholesale price index (PPI) for October tonight, aggressive buying seems to be limited.

In the sector performance, nonferrous metals, wholesale trade, and warehousing & transportation are among the top gainers, while electrical utilities, metal products, and oil & coal products are among the top losers.

In the trading value ranking on the TSE Prime Market, Mitsui E&S <7003>, TOYO <5105>, THK <6481>, Mercari <4385>, Sumitomo Electric <5802>, Kubota <6326>, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries <7011>, Furukawa Electric <5801>, Mitsubishi Electric <6503>, and Itochu <8001> are performing well. On the other hand, Kansai Electric <9503>, Hokkaido Electric Power <9509>, Skylark Holdings <3197>, Lasertec <6920>, Mitsukoshi Isetan <3099>, Toyo Electric <8035>, Disco <6146>, 7&i Holdings <3382>, SoftBank Group <9984>, [and] Advantest <6857> are on the decline.