The Nikkei average is down 17 yen (as of 2:50 PM). In terms of contribution to the Nikkei average, Advantest <6857>, Tokyo Electron <8035>, and TDK <6762> are among the top negative contributors, while Fast Retailing <9983>, SoftBank Group <9984>, and Recruit Holdings <6098> are among the top positive contributors. In the sectors, insurance, mining, machinery, land transportation, and oil & coal products have the highest rates of decline, while services, air transportation, metal products, other products, and information & communications have the highest rates of increase.

The Nikkei average is fluctuating around the closing price from last weekend. This week, the special settlement price (SQ) for December options and futures trading will be calculated on the weekend. The November SQ price is 39,901.35 yen, and since it was calculated on November 8, the Nikkei average has not exceeded the SQ price, leading to some suggestions that speculative trading focused on futures may occur this week, considering this level.