Japan’s stock market closed lower on Wednesday, driven by declines in the Finance & Investment, Steel, and Marine Transport sectors. The Nikkei 225 index dropped by 0.60% at the close of trading in Tokyo.
Top Performers
Despite the overall market decline, several companies posted gains. TDK Corp (TYO:6762) led the session with a significant rise of 4.35%, adding 364.00 points to close at 8,730.00, reaching an all-time high. Alps Electric Co., Ltd. (TYO:6770) followed, increasing by 3.26% or 49.00 points to end at 1,553.00, marking a three-year high. Aozora Bank, Ltd. (TYO:8304) also saw a notable gain of 2.96%, up 71.00 points to close at 2,473.50.
Worst Performers
On the downside, Toho Co., Ltd. (TYO:9602) experienced the largest drop, falling by 8.18% or 418.00 points to 4,692.00. Japan Steel Works Ltd (TYO:5631) decreased by 4.29% or 196.00 points, closing at 4,374.00. West Japan Railway Co. (TYO:9021) also saw a decline, dropping 3.05% or 95.00 points to finish at 3,020.00.
Market Breadth
Overall, falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by 1,969 to 1,563, with 321 stocks remaining unchanged.
Volatility and Commodities
The Nikkei Volatility Index, which gauges the implied volatility of Nikkei 225 options, decreased by 2.22% to 17.58.
In the commodities market, crude oil for July delivery rose by 0.80% or $0.62 to $78.52 a barrel. Brent oil for August delivery increased by 0.61% or $0.50 to $82.42 a barrel. Additionally, the August Gold Futures contract saw a slight rise of 0.28% or $6.50, trading at $2,333.10 per troy ounce.
Currency Market
In the currency market, USD/JPY was up by 0.10% to 157.23, while EUR/JPY also increased by 0.10% to 168.93. The US Dollar Index Futures, which tracks the greenback against a basket of other currencies, was down by 0.36% at 104.82.
This mixed performance reflects a market grappling with sector-specific challenges even as individual stocks hit record highs and commodities show upward trends.
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