[Nikkei Average Stock Price・TOPIX (Table)]
Nikkei Average; 39168.52; +131.67
TOPIX; 2730.96; +3.70
[Market Opening Overview]
On the 25th, the Nikkei Average started trading up 131.67 yen at 39168.52 yen. The U.S. stock market continued to rise on the previous day, the 24th. The Dow Inc rose 390.08 dollars to close at 43297.03 dollars, while the Nasdaq gained 266.24 points to finish at 20031.13. There were mixed reactions after the opening due to concerns over rising long-term interest rates. As the trading day was shortened due to the Christmas holiday's eve, technology stocks continued to be bought, lifting the stock market. Expectations for a Christmas rally from now until the year's end helped to expand the gains in the latter part of the day.
In today's Tokyo stock market, buying was predominant. The rise in major indices in the U.S. stock market yesterday supported stock prices in Tokyo. Additionally, in the foreign exchange market, the exchange rate was at about 157.10 yen per dollar, which continued to reflect a weak yen and strong dollar, providing a sense of security to the Tokyo market. Moreover, the Nikkei Average was seen as having a support level around 39000 yen, suggesting limited room for short-term declines. On the other hand, the high level of U.S. long-term interest rates in the overseas market yesterday weighed on stock prices in Tokyo. With many market participants, mainly overseas investors, continuing to take Christmas holidays, aggressive buying was limited, but buying was favorable during the opening phase. Today, MIC <300A> and Alpico Holdings <297A> were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard. Additionally, Bank of Japan Governor Ueda's speech at Keidanren is scheduled for today.
By sector, mining, Oil & Coal Products, securities, Commodity ETF, Nonferrous Metals, and Machinery saw the highest increases in value, while Transportation Equipment, agriculture, fisheries, pulp and paper, Banking, and Rubber Products had the largest declines. Among the top traded stocks on the Tokyo Main Board were Kawasaki Heavy Industries <7012>, Fujikura <5803>, SoftBank Group <9984>, Nippon Steel <5401>, Mitsui E&S <7003>, Fast Retailing <9983>, Tokyo Electric Power HD <9501>, INPEX <1605>, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines <9104>, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries <7011>, Takeda Pharmaceutical <4502>, Daiwa House <1925>, and Hulic <3003> which increased. On the other hand, Nissan Motor <7201>, Kourakuen <7554>, NINTENDO CO LTD <7974>, Pan Pacific International Holdings <7532>, Mitsui Sumitomo <8316>, Rakuten <4755>, Toyota <7203>, MS&AD <8725>, Honda <7267>, Mitsubishi UFJ <8306>, Skylark <3197>, and IHI <7013> decreased.
