Japanese stocks closed lower on Monday, with declines in the paper and pulp, transport, and communication sectors weighing on the broader market.
At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.51%, ending the session in negative territory.
Gainers and losers on the Nikkei 225
Among the top performers, Itochu Corp. surged 5.33%, gaining 102 points to close at 2,015.00. Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. advanced 3.96% to 6,675.00, while Fujikura Ltd. rose 3.76% to finish at 17,805.00.
On the downside, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co Ltd declined 3.73% to 2,295.00. Trend Micro Inc. fell 3.56% to 6,525.00, while Otsuka Holdings Ltd slipped 3.14% to 8,910.00.
Overall market breadth remained positive, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by 2,445 to 1,250, while 151 shares ended unchanged.
Volatility rises as commodities mixed
Shares of Itochu Corp. and Sumitomo Metal Mining both climbed to fresh all-time highs during the session. In contrast, Trend Micro fell to a 52-week low following its decline.
The Nikkei Volatility Index, which tracks implied volatility in Nikkei 225 options, jumped 15.98% to 21.77, signalling increased market uncertainty.
In commodities, crude oil for February delivery rose 1.04% to $57.33 per barrel. Brent crude for March delivery gained 1.01% to $60.85 a barrel. Gold futures for February slipped 1.29% to $4,493.95 per ounce.
In currency markets, the dollar weakened against the yen, with USD/JPY down 0.26% at 156.16. The euro also eased against the yen, with EUR/JPY falling 0.25% to 183.86. U.S. Dollar Index futures edged 0.02% higher to 97.72.
