Nikkei index rebounds on United States gains

TOKYO (AFP): Tokyo’s blue-chip stocks advanced Thursday following Wall Street gains as markets shrugged off messaging from the Federal Reserve reiterating its commitment to lowering inflation.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.40 percent, or 103.94 points, to 25,820.80, while the broader Topix index trimmed earlier gains but closed up 0.04 percent, or 0.75 points, at 1,868.90.

The market enjoyed a surge after the opening bell as investors cheered the overnight gains of US shares.
“Investors were encouraged by falls in bond yields in Europe and the US as well as China’s economic reopening. They were having a fresh look at high-tech and other shares that had been sold down until now,” IwaiCosmo Securities said in a note.

However, the market became locked in a narrow range in the afternoon session, with sellers outnumbering buyers.
Internationally, investors are keeping their eyes on Federal Reserve and betting that the peak of inflation has already passed.
“The market believes interest rates are expected to top out by mid-2023, with goods inflation moderating amid retail discounting,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management wrote in a note.

“So, barring a resurgence in resource prices, particularly oil, inflation data suggests we have passed peak even if the current trend looks unfriendly.”

The dollar traded at 132.55 yen, down from 132.67 yen in New York on Wednesday.

Among major shares, Sony Group rose 2.16 percent to 10,385 yen. Advantest rose 2.06 percent to 8,440.

SoftBank Group rose 1.86 percent to 5,745 yen.

Uniqlo-operator Fast Retailing edged up 0.15 percent to 79,650 yen.

Toyota added 0.47 percent to 1,807.5 yen. Energy developer Inpex fell 1.12 percent to 1,322 yen. Panasonic Holdings lost 0.50 percent to 1,086 yen.