The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 5.91% Higher

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.93% to close at 65,683 on Thursday, giving back part of the previous session’s gains as chipmakers and other technology shares came under renewed selling pressure amid lingering concerns over the artificial intelligence sector. The losses came despite another decline in oil prices after Iran and Oman reached an agreement on the partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, easing inflation worries and improving the outlook for interest rates. Japanese companies linked to the global AI infrastructure buildout posted sharp declines, including Kioxia Holdings (-10.2%), Taiyo Yuden (-11%), Murata Manufacturing (-5.2%), Ibiden Co (-6.5%), and Tokyo Electron (-5.5%). SoftBank Group also slid 4.4% ahead of its earnings release, which investors hope will provide fresh insight into the AI trade. Meanwhile, Nintendo reported better-than-expected earnings, supported by US tariff refunds and robust sales of two first-party titles for its flagship Switch 2 console.

The Nikkei 225 Index decreased 648 points or 0.98 percent on Thursday to close at 65652 points. The decline was led by Taiyo Yuden (-11.24%), GS Yuasa (-10.07%) and Mitsui Kinzoku (-9.92%). On the upside, the strongest performers were Omron (16.08%), KAO (12.45%) and Meiji Holdings (11.30%).

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.5% to below 65,300 on Thursday, reversing the previous session’s gains as weakness on Wall Street weighed on sentiment and chip and artificial intelligence-related stocks retreated. The declines came despite a further drop in oil prices after Iran and Oman reached an agreement on the partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over inflation and the outlook for interest rates. Japanese companies tied to the global AI infrastructure boom posted steep losses, including Kioxia Holdings (-10.7%), Taiyo Yuden (-9.8%), Murata Manufacturing (-5.7%), Ibiden Co (-6%), and Tokyo Electron (-5.7%). SoftBank Group also fell nearly 4% after surging almost 14% in the previous session, as investors awaited the investment giant’s earnings report. Meanwhile, gains in financial and consumer stocks helped limit broader losses, with Mitsubishi UFJ (1.5%), Toyota Motor (1.7%), and Fast Retailing (1.8%) all moving higher.