Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index retreated 0.34% to settle at 62,693 on Friday, after experiencing a decline of as much as 2.3% during the trading day. The index demonstrated resilience, paring back some of the intraday losses as the waning of selling activity in technology and artificial intelligence equities provided support.
The primary index receded 4% for the week, registering a second successive weekly decline, notwithstanding a late-week rebound. Capital flowed from outperformance in technology and artificial intelligence equities to more conservative holdings, such as government bonds.
Heightened tensions in the Middle East, stemming from reports detailing US and Israeli preparations for potential renewed strikes against Iran following next month’s midterm elections, also exerted influence on market sentiment. Key equities experienced downward momentum, as evidenced by Taiyo Yuden's 3.9% decrease, Disco Corp's 3.8% decline, Mitsubishi UFJ's 2.3% drop, Hitachi's 4.4% loss and Nintendo's 1.8% slip.
Consumer prices in Japan advanced in September, surpassing the Bank of Japan’s 2% objective and bolstering anticipations of an additional interest rate increase before the year’s end.