Japanese Shares Slip After Soft GDP Print

2026-02-16 00:47 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The Nikkei 225 fell 0.24% to close at 56,806, while the broader Topix lost 0.82% to 3,787 on Monday, extending declines from the previous session after Japan’s fourth-quarter GDP report undershot expectations.

The economy expanded 0.1% quarter-on-quarter in Q4, rebounding from a 0.7% contraction in Q3 but falling short of forecasts for a 0.4% increase.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently reaffirmed her commitment to bolstering growth through proactive fiscal measures following her landslide victory in the Feb. 8 Lower House election.

Financials led the downturn, with notable losses in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (-3.1%), Mizuho Financial Group (-5.3%), and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (-3.4%).

In corporate news, medical device maker Olympus dropped 12.9% after slashing its operating income guidance for the full year due to persistent product safety issues and cost-cutting efforts.



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