[Nikkei Stock Average and TOPIX (Table)]

Nikkei average; 39075.38; -173.48

TOPIX; 2735.74; -17.84

Summary of the start of the afternoon session

In the afternoon session, the Nikkei average started at 39075.38 yen, down 173.48 yen from the previous day, which is nearly the same level as the morning close (39077.04 yen). During lunchtime, the Nikkei 225 futures fluctuated in a range of 39040-39110 yen. The dollar-yen exchange rate was 1 dollar = 149.60-70 yen, showing about a 10-yen depreciation of the yen and appreciation of the dollar since around 9 a.m. In Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index is slightly up by about 0.2%, moving around the previous day's closing price, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index turned upward after a morning dip, increasing by about 0.3%.

The Nikkei average started at nearly the same level as the morning close in the afternoon session. It seems that factors supporting the stock prices in the Tokyo market include a slight depreciation of the yen and appreciation of the dollar compared to the morning, and the Dow futures moving steadily in extended hours trading. On the other hand, since the Nikkei average has risen over 1000 yen during the consecutive increase until yesterday, it seems likely that there will be profit-taking sell-offs and wait-for-rebound sell-offs in the near term.

In the sectors, the electric and gas industry, land transportation, and metal products have the top decline rates, while other products, retail trade, and warehouse transportation-related sectors have the top increase rates.

In terms of trading value on the Tokyo Stock Exchange main board, stocks that declined include Eisai <4523>, Nissan Motor <7201>, Kansai Electric <9503>, OLC <4661>, JR East <9020>, Lasertec <6920>, SoftBank Group <9984>, Rakuten <4755>, SMC <6273>, and Honda <7267>. On the other hand, stocks that increased include Ryohin Keikaku <7453>, DeNA <2432>, IHI <7013>, Mitsubishi Heavy <7011>, Nitori HD <9843>, SHIFT <3697>, Nintendo Co., Ltd. <7974>, Kawasaki Heavy <7012>, Fujikura <5803>, and Sony Group Corp <6758>.