Tokyo's stock market ended the trading session higher on Wednesday, with the Nikkei 225 adding 2.22% to finish at a new record closing level. Strength was led by the Real Estate, Banking and Textile sectors, which together helped propel broader gains across the bourse.
Among individual issues, Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. (TYO:5706) was the session's strongest performer, climbing 8.17% - a rise of 2,700.00 points - to close at 35,740.00. Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (TYO:5713) followed with a 7.77% increase, gaining 840.00 points to end the day at 11,650.00. Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. (TYO:7735) also posted a notable advance, up 7.57% or 1,645.00 points to finish at 23,370.00.
On the downside, Nippon Steel Corp (TYO:5401) suffered the largest loss among the headline names, falling 5.51% - down 36.60 points - to close at 627.30. Resona Holdings, Inc. (TYO:8308) declined 5.01%, losing 96.50 points to settle at 1,830.00, while Takashimaya Co., Ltd. (TYO:8233) was down 4.62%, a drop of 102.00 points to 2,107.50.
Market breadth on the Tokyo Stock Exchange favored advancing issues: 2,108 stocks climbed versus 1,485 that fell, while 239 issues finished unchanged. The trading day also saw multiple individual stocks reach new record highs; shares of Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. (TYO:5706), Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (TYO:5713) and Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. (TYO:7735) each rose to all-time highs during the session.
Implied volatility for Nikkei 225 options moved higher, with the Nikkei Volatility index rising 15.10% to 30.80.
Commodity markets reflected modest gains. Crude oil for April delivery increased 0.62% - up 0.41 - to $66.04 a barrel. Brent crude for May delivery rose 0.60% or 0.42 to $71.00 a barrel. Precious metals were also stronger, with the April Gold Futures contract increasing 0.72% or 37.51 to trade at 5,213.81 per troy ounce.
Foreign exchange movements were mixed: the USD/JPY pair declined 0.08% to 155.70, while EUR/JPY climbed 0.16% to 183.81. The US Dollar Index Futures eased 0.19% to 97.59.
Summary of key market moves
- Nikkei 225 closed up 2.22%, hitting a new all-time high.
- Top gainers included Mitsui Mining and Smelting (TYO:5706), Sumitomo Metal Mining (TYO:5713) and Dainippon Screen (TYO:7735), each advancing more than 7%.
- Notable decliners included Nippon Steel (TYO:5401), Resona Holdings (TYO:8308) and Takashimaya (TYO:8233), which fell between about 4.6% and 5.5%.
Market breadth and volatility
Advancing issues outnumbered decliners 2,108 to 1,485, with 239 unchanged. The Nikkei Volatility gauge rose to 30.80, up 15.10% on the session.
Commodities and FX snapshot
- Crude oil (April) - $66.04 per barrel, +0.62%.
- Brent oil (May) - $71.00 per barrel, +0.60%.
- April Gold Futures - 5,213.81 per troy ounce, +0.72%.
- USD/JPY - 155.70, down 0.08%; EUR/JPY - 183.81, up 0.16%.
- US Dollar Index Futures - 97.59, down 0.19%.
Takeaway
The Tokyo market's advance and the Nikkei 225's record close on Wednesday were driven by sector-wide strength in real estate, banking and textiles and were accompanied by several large single-stock moves that included new highs for select miners and manufacturers. Volatility rose alongside the rally, and commodity prices recorded modest gains while currency pairs showed mixed direction.