Japanese stocks closed higher on Wednesday, supported by gains in the real estate, banking, and textile sectors, which helped lift the broader market.
At the close of trading in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index advanced 0.43%, ending the session in positive territory.
Top gainers on the Nikkei 225
DOWA Holdings Co., Ltd. led the index higher, surging 7.05% to close at 6,998.00. The stock also reached a five-year high during the session.
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. followed with a 4.77% gain, finishing at 5,882.00, while Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. added 2.78% to settle at 17,200.00 by the close.
Biggest losers in the session
On the downside, Nissui Corp recorded the steepest decline, falling 5.73% to end at 1,159.00. NTN Corp dropped 3.23% to 359.70, while Konica Minolta, Inc. slipped 2.87% to close at 694.20.
Market breadth was negative overall, with declining stocks outnumbering advancing issues by 1,994 to 1,548 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. A total of 285 stocks finished the session unchanged.
Volatility, commodities, and currencies
The Nikkei Volatility Index, which tracks implied volatility for Nikkei 225 options, rose 3.75% to 29.85.
In commodities trading, crude oil futures for February delivery gained 1.47% to $55.94 per barrel. Brent crude rose 1.39% to $59.74, while February gold futures climbed 0.55% to $4,356.05 per troy ounce.
In currency markets, the Japanese yen weakened against the dollar, with USD/JPY rising 0.46% to 155.42. The euro also strengthened against the yen, pushing EUR/JPY up 0.12% to 181.94.
Meanwhile, U.S. Dollar Index futures increased 0.46% to 98.24.
