As of the market close on the 19th, the number of rising and falling stocks in the Nikkei average comprised 81 gaining stocks, 142 losing stocks, and 2 unchanged stocks.

The U.S. stock market continued to decline on the 18th. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 1123.03 dollars to 42326.87 dollars, while the Nasdaq fell by 716.37 points to 19392.69 points. With the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) results announcement approaching, there was a strong sense of wait-and-see, and the market fluctuated after the opening. While the Dow average had continued to decline until the previous day, it saw buying in some major stocks, leading to a rise, whereas the Nasdaq started off with a slight decline. As expected, the main policy interest rate was lowered by 0.25%, but the decrease in the forecast for interest rate cuts in 2025 from previous estimates led to disappointment and a decline. Subsequently, with the rise in long-term interest rates, the extent of the decline widened.

In response to the significant drop in U.S. stocks, the Tokyo market also began trading with selling pressure. The Nikkei average experienced a drop of over 700 yen at one point compared to the previous day, but after the selling subsided, it gradually reduced the extent of the decline. There is a growing view that the results of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting, announced today, are likely to keep interest rates unchanged, which appears to be providing reassurance to the market. The rise in U.S. interest rates has also supported the currency, with the exchange rate at around 154 yen to the dollar, indicating a weaker yen compared to the previous day.

At the market close, the Nikkei average decreased by 268.13 yen (-0.69%) to 38,813.58 yen. The trading volume on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Main Board was 2.2 billion shares. The trading value was 4 trillion 224.9 billion yen. By Global Sectors, areas like Electricity and Gas, Real Estate, Nonferrous Metals, Securities and Commodity Futures, and Petroleum and Coal declined, while Marine Shipping, Bank, Insurance, Other Products, and Warehousing and Transportation rose. Gaining stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Main Board accounted for 46%, while declining stocks made up 49%.

The top contributor to the decline was SoftBank Group <9984>, which pushed the Nikkei average down by about 80 yen. The second was Tokyo Electron <8035>, followed by TDK <6762>, Recruit Holdings <6098>, Advantest <6857>, Nitori Holdings <9843>, and Shin-Etsu Chemical <4063>.

On the other hand, the top contributor to the gains was Fast Retailing <9983>, which raised the Nikkei average by about 20 yen. The second was Terumo <4543>, followed by NINTENDO CO LTD <7974>, Canon Inc-Spons Adr <7751>, Tokio Marine <8766>, Nitto Denko <6988>, and Toyota Tsusho <8015>.

*As of 15:00

Nikkei Average Stock Price 38,813.58 (-268.13)

Number of rising stocks 81 (contribution +84.10)

Number of falling stocks 142 (contribution -352.23)

Number of unchanged stocks: 2

○ Top rising stocks

Code Stock Name Recent Price Change from Previous Day Contribution

○ Top declining stocks

Code Stock Name Recent Price Change from Previous Day Contribution