Tokyo equities ended the Thursday session with a modest gain as sector-level strength in Real Estate, Banking and Textile names supported the market. The Nikkei 225 closed up 0.14%.
Market movers
Among individual stocks, Sharp Corp (TYO:6753) was the session's top performer on the Nikkei 225, climbing 6.29% - a rise of 39.60 points to finish at 669.20. Murata Mfg Co (TYO:6981) added 5.57%, gaining 397.00 points to end the day at 7,525.00. Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd. (TYO:6976) also posted a notable advance, rising 4.80% or 431.00 points to close at 9,403.00.
On the downside, Japan Steel Works Ltd (TYO:5631) led losses, sliding 6.51% - a drop of 476.00 points to 6,836.00 at the close. Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. (TYO:5706) fell 5.71%, down 1,495.00 points to 24,705.00, while Shimizu Corp. (TYO:1803) declined 5.60%, losing 142.00 points to finish at 2,391.50.
Market internals and levels
Decliners outpaced advancers on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with 1,885 issues falling versus 1,580 advancing; 275 stocks finished unchanged. Japan Steel Works Ltd (TYO:5631) touched a 52-week low during the session, registering the 6.51% decline to 6,836.00.
The Nikkei 225's quoted level during the session was 65,232.00, representing an increase of 89.22 points, or 0.14%, at close.
Volatility, commodities and currencies
The Nikkei Volatility index, which reflects implied volatility on Nikkei 225 options, fell 1.56% to 31.55.
In commodities trading, crude oil for October delivery declined 0.37% or 0.36 to $95.69 a barrel. Brent crude for November delivery slipped 0.49% or 0.50 to $100.71 a barrel. The December gold futures contract rose 0.19% or 8.39 to trade at $4,469.09 a troy ounce.
In currency markets, USD/JPY moved lower by 0.05% to 153.43, while EUR/JPY eased 0.02% to 178.59. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.09% at 98.73.
Takeaway
The session closed with the Nikkei posting a marginal gain as sector-level strength in Real Estate, Banking and Textile names countered a larger number of declining issues. Notable rallies among electronics-related suppliers were offset by steep losses in steel, mining and construction-related stocks. Volatility eased slightly and key commodity benchmarks moved mixedly, with oil dipping and gold ticking higher.