As of the close on 19 days prior, the number of rising stocks in the Nikkei average constituent stocks was 155, with 69 falling and 1 remaining unchanged.

The Nikkei average rebounded. It closed at 38,429.37 yen (volume approximately 0.8 billion80 million shares) with a 208.52 yen increase (+0.55%) from the previous day.

The U.S. market on the 18th was mixed. The Dow Jones closed at 43,389.60, down 55.39 points, while the Nasdaq ended at 18,791.81, up 111.69 points. It was lackluster with various movements after opening. The unexpected improvement in the November NAHB Housing Market Index and persistent growth expectations supported the market, but the Dow was pressured by profit-taking, leading to a weak performance throughout the day. The Nasdaq was supported by the rise of electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, lower long-term interest rates, and anticipation of semiconductors NVIDIA's earnings, resulting in an increase. It closed in a mixed manner.

Due to the mixed performance in the U.S. market, the Tokyo market started trading with minimal movement. The Nikkei average started at the previous day's closing level and continued to trade within a narrow range due to lack of market-moving news. With the exchange rate remaining relatively stable around 154 yen to the dollar, active trading was subdued, and trading value on the main board market fell below 1.7 trillion yen, dropping below 2 trillion yen.

In the Nikkei average constituent stocks, Advantest <6857> rose amid issues related to NVIDIA's latest semiconductor 'Blackwell'. The speculation of additional interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan pushed Mizuho <8411> to a 16-year high, and Mitsubishi UFJ <8306>, Sumitomo Mitsui <8316> were also in demand. Furthermore, Nippon Steel <5631>, Nidec <6594>, Fujikura <5803>, Ebara Corporation <6361>, among others, rose.

On the other hand, Nippon Yusen <9104>, despite reports of increasing dividend payout ratio to 40%, saw selling pressure due to a sense of exhausted news. Japan Post <9101>, Kawasaki Kisen <9107> also weakened. Additionally, Konica Minolta <4902>, Astellas Pharma <4503>, Taiyo Nippon Sanso <6976>, TDK <6762> declined. Mega banks rose, while regional bank stocks like Shizuoka Bank Group <5831>, Concordia Financial <7186> showed lackluster performance.

In terms of global sectors, transportation equipment, nonferrous metals, precision instruments, rubber products, and banks rose, while services, electricity/gas, marine shipping, pulp/paper, and air transportation declined.

The top contribution to the rise was Advantest <6857>, which pushed the Nikkei average by about 99 yen per share. The second place was Fast Retailing <9983>, followed by Shin-Etsu Chemical <4063>, NTT Data G <9613>, Daiichi Sankyo <4568>, Olympus <7733>, Fujikura <5803>, etc.

On the other hand, the top contributor to the decline was Recruit Holdings Inc <6098>, which pushed the Nikkei average down by about 31 yen with one stock. The second place was TDK <6762>, followed by Astellas Pharma <4503>, SoftBank Group Corp <9984>, Daikin Industries, Ltd. unsponsored adr <6367>, KDDI Corporation <9433>, Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd <2502>, etc.

*As of 11:30.

Nikkei Average Stock Price 38429.37 (+208.52)

Number of Rising Stocks 155 (Contribution +312.57)

Number of Falling Stocks 69 (Contribution -104.05)

Number of unchanged issues　1

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