Stay updated with the latest news and articles about Japan’s Nikkei.
Morning sessions saw Ueda adopt a hawkish tone, signaling a potential for further interest rate hikes should inflation trends meet expectations. Masahiro Ichikawa, chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management, noted that Ueda’s initial remarks reinforced the possibility of tighter monetary policy if inflationary pressures persist.
Historical patterns suggest that after periods of yen-buying interventions, the BOJ has occasionally turned to yen-selling interventions to counteract excessive appreciation. Nomura, Japan’s largest brokerage, recently highlighted this possibility, noting that while it isn’t yet their primary scenario, future Ministry of Finance (MOF) interventions to curb yen strength could be on the table.
The Nikkei closed the day at 38,062.67, marking a 3.6% increase and its second-largest daily gain of the year. The broader Topix index also saw a notable rise, finishing approximately 3% higher at 2,678.60. For the week, the Nikkei enjoyed a remarkable gain of over 8%, its strongest weekly performance since April 2020. This upturn was fueled by a combination of easing recession fears in the U.S., a halt in the yen’s rapid appreciation, and signs of improved economic growth in Japan.
The market initially surged by over 1% after reports confirmed Kishida’s decision to step down as LDP leader, with analysts predicting a minimal impact on the stock market due to Kishida's already low approval ratings.
Showing 14 of 14 articles