On Wednesday, Japan’s stock market experienced a downturn as losses in key sectors, including Shipbuilding, Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic, and Financial Services, exerted downward pressure on shares.
At the close of trading in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 Index fell by 0.98%.
Among the session’s top performers on the Nikkei 225 were Itochu Corp. (TYO:8001), which surged by 6.42% or 408.00 points to reach 6,768.00 by the end of trading. Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (TYO:9531) also saw gains, rising by 4.41% or 148.00 points to finish at 3,505.00, while Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co Ltd (TYO:4506) climbed by 4.00% or 16.00 points to reach 416.00 by the close.
Conversely, the session’s worst performers included Shimizu Corp. (TYO:1803), which saw a decline of 9.16% or 88.20 points, closing at 874.30. Nintendo Co Ltd (TYO:7974) dropped by 4.28% or 349.00 points, ending at 7,798.00, while Ebara Corp. (TYO:6361) slipped by 3.67% or 505.00 points to settle at 13,255.00.
Overall, declining stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with 1928 stocks falling, 1693 advancing, and 257 remaining unchanged.
Shares in Itochu Corp. (TYO:8001) reached all-time highs, marking a notable increase of 6.42% or 408.00 points to 6,768.00.
Meanwhile, the Nikkei Volatility Index, which measures the implied volatility of Nikkei 225 options, rose by 5.82% to 19.65.
In commodities trading, May delivery crude oil experienced a slight decline of 0.02% or 0.02, reaching $85.13 per barrel. Conversely, Brent oil for delivery in June rose by 0.07% or 0.06, hitting $88.98 per barrel. The June Gold Futures contract also saw an increase of 0.86% or 19.65, trading at $2,301.45 per troy ounce.
Regarding currency markets, the USD/JPY pair saw a modest uptick of 0.06% to 151.63, while the EUR/JPY pair rose by 0.06% to 163.31.
The US Dollar Index Futures experienced a slight decline of 0.03%, settling at 104.54.