日経平均採用銘柄では、ホンダ＜7267＞との経営統合に向けた協議入りを発表した日産自＜7201＞は売られた。フジクラ＜5803＞、古河電工＜5801＞、住友電工＜5802＞など電線株の一角も弱い。また、IHI＜7013＞、日本製鋼所＜5631＞など防衛関連銘柄の一角も売られた。このほか、ルネサスエレクトロニクス＜6723＞、TDK＜6762＞、アルプスアルパイン＜6770＞などが売られた。The Nikkei Average fell back, finishing the morning session at 39,055.35 yen, down 105.99 yen (-0.27%) from the previous day (Volume estimated at 1 billion 10 million shares).
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 started with a buying advantage. The Nikkei Average started in positive territory compared to the previous day but slowed after an initial surge and briefly fell below 39,000 yen. Trading was thin as many Western investors entered Christmas holidays, leading to a lack of direction and fluctuations around the 39,000 yen level.
Among the Nikkei Average stocks, Nissan Motor Co, which announced discussions on a management integration with Honda, was sold off. Stocks like Fujikura, Furukawa Electric, and Sumitomo Electric, which are in the wire sector, were also weak. Furthermore, defense-related stocks such as IHI and Japan Steel Works faced selling pressure. Additionally, companies like Renesas Electronics, TDK, and Alps Alpine also experienced selling.
On the other hand, Honda saw a significant increase following the setting of a 1.1 trillion yen Share Buyback acquisition limit, while stocks like SUBARU CORP Unsponsored ADR, Mitsubishi Motors, and MAZDA MOTOR CRP also rose. Additionally, bank stocks like Shizuoka Financial Group, Resona Holdings, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking, and Aozora Bank also increased.
By Global Sectors, Nonferrous Metals, Services, Information & Communications, Precision Instruments, and Electric Appliances have decreased, while Electric & Gas, Transportation Equipment, Marine Transportation, Iron & Steel, and Bank have increased.
In the overseas markets tonight, the markets in the UK, France, and the USA are expected to have reduced trading before the Christmas holiday, leading to quieter trading in the afternoon session compared to the previous day. The exchange rate is also expected to remain stable around 157 yen per dollar, indicating that the Nikkei Average will likely experience minor fluctuations around the 39,000 yen mark in the afternoon session.
