Japan's equity market closed higher on Tuesday, with the Nikkei 225 advancing 0.21% to reach a new record high at the end of trading in Tokyo. Strength in the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors underpinned the session's gains.
Among individual stocks, Fujikura Ltd. (TYO:5803) was the session's top gainer on the Nikkei 225, climbing 9.02% - an increase of 392.00 points - to finish at 4,738.00. Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. (TYO:5706) added 8.53%, or 3,810.00 points, to close at 48,500.00. Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. (TYO:5802) also posted a notable rise, up 6.85% or 790.00 points, ending the day at 12,320.00.
On the downside, Obayashi Corp. (TYO:1802) was the weakest performer among the group cited, slipping 4.48% - a drop of 149.00 points - to end at 3,178.00. Disco Corp. (TYO:6146) fell 4.34%, or 3,700.00 points, to finish at 81,550.00, while Kajima Corp. (TYO:1812) declined 3.77% or 231.00 points to close at 5,899.00.
Market breadth in Tokyo showed more losers than winners, with 2,326 stocks falling compared with 1,201 advancing; 242 issues were unchanged at the close.
The Nikkei Volatility index, which reflects implied volatility for Nikkei 225 options, eased 6.71% to 34.78 by the end of the session.
Commodities and currencies
Energy and precious metals markets moved modestly lower. Crude oil for July delivery fell 0.37%, or 0.30, to $80.45 a barrel. Brent oil for August delivery declined 0.55%, or 0.46, to $82.71 a barrel. The August Gold Futures contract slipped 0.11%, or 4.68, to trade at $4,346.92 a troy ounce.
In currency trading, USD/JPY dropped 0.07% to 160.20, while EUR/JPY edged down 0.12% to 185.62. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.06% at 99.44.
Context and takeaway
The Tokyo close saw headline gains on the Nikkei despite a larger number of declining issues, indicating pockets of strong performance among selected names that helped lift the index. Volatility measures fell, while energy and metals posted small declines and the dollar showed a slight uptick versus major peers.
Summary
- The Nikkei 225 closed up 0.21%, marking a new all-time high.
- Top winners included Fujikura Ltd., Mitsui Mining and Smelting, and Sumitomo Electric.
- Obayashi, Disco and Kajima were among the session's largest decliners.