The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 0.77% Higher

The Nikkei 225 Index rose 531 points or 0.77 percent on Wednesday to close at 69936 points. Leading the gains are Lasertec Corp (12.22%), Kawasaki (7.92%) and Sumitomo Osaka Cement (7.73%). Top losers were T&D Holdings (-2.90%), Olympus (-2.77%) and Japan Post (-2.76%).

The Nikkei 225 Index gained 0.72% to close at 69,902 on Wednesday, hitting fresh record highs as stronger-than-expected trade data improved sentiment toward Japan’s corporate outlook. Official figures showed exports jumped 17% year-on-year in May, the fastest pace of growth since November 2022, supported by solid demand for automobiles and semiconductors. The data followed the Bank of Japan’s decision on Tuesday to raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 1%, aiming to contain inflationary pressures and support the yen. Investors also awaited the signing of the US-Iran peace agreement on Friday, which is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and help restore oil flows from the Middle East. Among individual stocks, notable advances were recorded by Lasertec (13.2%), Tokyo Electron (2.5%), Taiyo Yuden (3.2%), Murata Manufacturing (3.2%), and Ibiden Co (6.9%).

The Nikkei 225 Index gained 50 points or 0.07 percent on Tuesday to close at 69367 points. Gains were led by Fujikura (8.70%), Mitsui Mining & Smelting (8.57%) and Citizen Holdings (6.70%). Biggest losers were Obayashi (-4.27%), Inpex (-3.61%) and Sumitomo Realty & Development (-3.50%).