Japan Stocks Close Higher as Nikkei 225 Hits Record High
Japanese equities ended Wednesday’s session on a positive note, with gains in the real estate, banking, and textile sectors driving the broader market higher.
At the close in Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 advanced 0.53%, reaching a new all-time high and extending its upward momentum.
Top Gainers Lead the Rally
Among the standout performers, SoftBank Group Corp surged 8.47%, gaining 439 points to close at 5,620.00. Resonac Holdings Corp also delivered strong gains, rising 8.44% or 1,125 points to finish at 14,455.00, marking a record high for the stock.
Shift Inc followed with a 7.03% increase, climbing 47.60 points to close at 724.30, reflecting strong investor interest in growth-oriented technology names.
Decliners Weigh on Select Stocks
On the downside, Sapporo Holdings Ltd dropped 5.19%, losing 96 points to settle at 1,754.50. Nikon Corp declined 4.35% to 1,891.50, while Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd fell 3.83%, closing at 6,556.00.
Overall market breadth remained negative, with declining stocks outnumbering gainers by 2,742 to 815, while 224 shares ended unchanged.
Volatility Drops as Market Confidence Improves
The Nikkei Volatility Index, which tracks implied volatility for Nikkei 225 options, fell sharply by 8.88% to 29.97. This decline suggests improved investor confidence despite broader market imbalances.
Commodities Mixed as Oil Falls and Gold Rises
In commodities, crude oil for June delivery declined 1.04% to $88.74 per barrel, while Brent crude slipped 0.77% to $97.72.
In contrast, gold futures for June delivery rose 1.40%, gaining $66.16 to reach $4,785.76 per ounce, reflecting ongoing demand for safe-haven assets.
Currency Markets Show Modest Weakness in Yen
In the foreign exchange market, the Japanese yen weakened slightly. The USD/JPY pair edged down 0.14% to 159.13, while EUR/JPY slipped 0.11% to 186.96.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index Futures declined 0.11% to 98.12, indicating a mild pullback in the greenback.
