Japan's Nikkei falls as US stock futures decline, firmer yen weighs
TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average fell on Thursday as a stronger yen prompted a sell-off of exporters, while declines in US stock futures hurt sentiment.
The Nikkei fell 0.7 per cent to close at 38,173.09. The broader Topix slipped 0.2 per cent.
"Investors sold Japanese equities as they bet Wall Street would be weak again later in the day, after seeing declines of US stock futures in Asia hours," said Seiichi Suzuki, chief equity market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory.
"But the Nikkei closed above the 38,000 level for a fourth consecutive day, it seems that the index has cleared the first hurdle for further gains."
The S&P 500 ended lower overnight, with investors spooked by Middle East tensions, while a tame inflation report calmed concerns around tariff-driven price pressures and traders awaited more details on the China-US trade talks.
S&P and Nasdaq futures each fell about 0.3 per cent in Asia trade.
The yen strengthened about 0.6 per cent to trade at 143.67 per dollar.
Uniqlo-brand owner Fast Retailing dropped 2.6 per cent to drag the Nikkei the most.
Automakers declined as the yen gained, with Toyota Motor and Honda Motor losing 1.5 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively.
A stronger yen typically weighs on exporter shares by reducing the value of overseas earnings when converted back into Japanese currency.
The yen's strength this week has worked to keep the Nikkei below 38,500, Mizuho Securities analyst Yutaka Miura said.
"The yen's appreciation trend is expected to continue moderately, which is likely to be a factor in limiting the upside of Japan stocks," he said, predicting the Nikkei will move in the 36,000-39,000 range this month.
Bucking the trend among exporters, Nintendo rose 1.1 per cent after the game maker said it had sold more than 3.5 million Switch 2 units in the first four days after its launch, making the console the company's fastest-selling gaming device to date.
Sumitomo Pharma was far and away the Nikkei's top percentage gainer, surging by its daily limit of 17 per cent after Daiwa Securities upgraded the stock.
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