As of the market close on the 24th, the number of rising and falling stocks in the Nikkei Index was 102 stocks up, 122 stocks down, and 1 stock unchanged.

On the 23rd, the US stock market continued to rise. The Dow Inc increased by 66.69 dollars to 42,906.95 dollars, and the Nasdaq closed up 192.29 points at 19,764.88. Concerns over the decline in the Consumer Confidence Index led to mixed trading after the opening. The Dow fell as long-term interest rates rose due to a retreat from expectations of rapid rate cuts by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). The Nasdaq remained firm due to buying in the tech sector expected during the Santa Claus rally, expanding its gains toward the end of the session, lifting the overall market. With participants limited ahead of the Christmas holiday, the Dow also recovered into positive territory before closing.

In response to the rise in the US market, the Tokyo market opened with a Buy favor. The Nikkei Average started in positive territory compared to the previous day but slowed after a round of buying, briefly falling below 39,000 yen. However, trading was thin as many US and European investors have entered the Christmas holiday. After a round of buying and selling, the market exhibited a lack of direction and oscillated around the 39,000 yen level.

The Nikkei Index at market close was down 124.49 yen (-0.32%) from the previous day, at 39,036.85 yen. The trading volume on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Main Board was 1.8 billion shares, with a trading value of 3 trillion 94.3 billion yen. By global sectors, Nonferrous Metals, Services, Information & Communications, Electric Appliances, Petroleum & Coal, etc. saw declines, while Marine Shipping, Electric & Gas, Transportation Equipment, Iron & Steel, and Banks saw increases. The percentage of rising stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Main Board was 45%, while the percentage of falling stocks was 49%.

The top contributor to the decline was Fast Retailing <9983>, which pushed the Nikkei Index down by about 27 yen with 1 stock. The second was SoftBank Group <9984>, followed by TDK <6762>, Recruit Holdings <6098>, Advantest <6857>, Kddi Corporation <9433>, NTT Data Group <9613>, etc.

On the other hand, the top contributor to the rise was Honda <7267>, which lifted the Nikkei Index by about 30 yen with 1 stock. The second was Shin-Etsu Chemical <4063>, followed by Chugai Pharmaceutical <4519>, Tokyo Electron <8035>, ZOZO <3092>, SUBARU CORP Unsponsored ADR <7270>, Omron <6645>, etc.

*As of 15:00

Nikkei Stock Average 39,036.85 (-124.49)

Number of rising stocks 102 (contribution +89.80)

Number of declining stocks 122 (contribution -214.29)

Number of Unchanged Stocks 1

○ 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