The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 1.42% Lower

The Nikkei 225 Index climbed 1% to above 66,000, while the broader Topix Index rose 0.8% to 4,073 on Wednesday, ending a two-session decline as oil prices dropped sharply on easing supply concerns. The moves followed Saudi Arabia restoring around half of the capacity of its East-West pipeline and the Trump administration ordering another release of emergency reserves. Domestically, investors assessed data showing Japan’s industrial production unexpectedly fell in August, reflecting weaker output across major manufacturing sectors amid softer export demand, while retail sales growth came in below expectations. Technology stocks led the recovery despite continued pressure from elevated bond yields, with notable gains in Kioxia Holdings (2.2%), SoftBank Group (4%), Advantest (1.8%), Taiyo Yuden (5.3%) and Fujikura (4.5%). The Nikkei 225 Index is on track to end the month largely unchanged.

The Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.6% to close at 65,481, while the broader Topix Index dropped 1.72% to 4,041 on Tuesday, extending losses from the previous session as global bond yields remain at elevated levels amid expectations that energy-driven inflation could lead to tighter monetary policy. Oil prices resumed their upward move after Iranian officials reportedly questioned the prospects of reaching an agreement before the US midterm elections in November, following President Donald Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s latest proposal. Japanese equities also came under pressure as more than half of Topix constituents traded ex-dividend. Notable losses were seen among heavyweight technology, financial, and consumer stocks, including SoftBank Group (-3.4%), Mitsubishi UFJ (-3.5%), Sumitomo Mitsui (-4%), Toyota Motor (-3.5%), and Nintendo (-1.3%).

The Nikkei 225 Index dropped 938 points or 1.42 percent on Tuesday to close at 64940 points. Losses were led by Tokio Marine (-93.48%), Mitsui Kinzoku (-90.29%) and Tokyo Electron (-79.93%).