As of the market close on the 18th, the number of rising and falling stocks in the Nikkei average is 89 stocks up, 132 stocks down, and 4 stocks unchanged.

At the close of the US market last weekend, the Dow average was down 305.87 points at 43,444.99, while the Nasdaq closed down 427.53 points at 18,680.12. Selling pressure continued in response to hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, leading to a decline after the market opened. Buying, which was expected to support corporate earnings due to regulatory easing under the next Trump administration, has leveled off, and the outlook for an additional rate cut in December has diminished following comments from Fed officials, resulting in a continued decline. Similar to the falling US stock market, today's Nikkei average began with selling that aligned with Chicago futures. The index remained soft and fluctuated in negative territory, continuing the heavy resistance observed since last week. With concerns over the US-China relations due to developments in the next Trump administration, it has become difficult to handle high-tech stocks, which have weighed on these stocks in the Tokyo market.

The Nikkei average at the market close was down 422.06 yen (-1.09%) at 38,220.85 yen. The trading volume on the Tokyo Main Board was 1.73308 billion shares, and the trading value was 3.7718 trillion yen. By sector, pharmaceuticals, banks, machinery, electric appliances, and wholesale declined, while marine shipping, pulp and paper, iron & steel, securities and commodity futures trading, and warehouse and transportation-related sectors rose. The ratio of rising stocks on the Tokyo Main Board was 44%, while the ratio of declining stocks was 52%.

The top contributor to the decline was Chugai Pharmaceutical <4519>, with Fast Retailing <9983> in second place, together pushing down the Nikkei average by approximately 139 yen. Additionally, the highest decline rate among the Nikkei constituent stocks was Dentsu Group <4324> at a drop of 10.01%, followed by Chugai Pharmaceutical with a drop of 10.00%.

On the other hand, the top contributor to the rise was NTT Data Group <9613>, with Suzuki <7269> in second place, together raising the Nikkei average by approximately 13 yen. Furthermore, the highest increase rate among the Nikkei constituent stocks was M3 <2413> with a rise of 5.64%, followed by Ryohin Keikaku <7453> with a rise of 5.49%.

* As of 15:00

Nikkei Stock Average 38,220.85 (-422.06)

Number of rising stocks 89 (contribution +74.93)

Number of declining stocks: 132 (contribution -496.99).

Number of unchanged stocks: 4

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