Latest news with #MasahiroYamaguchi
The Mainichi
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Tokyo stocks end higher as yen weakens on report on bond issuance
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks erased earlier losses to close higher Tuesday, lifted by buying of export-oriented shares as the yen weakened following a report that Japan may consider reducing issuance of super-long bonds. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 192.58 points, or 0.51 percent, from Monday at 37,724.11. The broader Topix index finished 17.58 points, or 0.64 percent, higher at 2,769.49. On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by nonferrous metal, insurance, and machinery issues. The U.S. dollar briefly slipped to the lower 142 yen range in Tokyo, as speculation that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates prompted yen buying after its chief, Kazuo Ueda, said the central bank will keep rates on an upward path if the economy and prices develop as expected. The dollar later climbed to the mid-143 yen range, as the yen was sold after yields on super long-term Japanese government bonds fell, with the report fueling speculation that the Finance Ministry may cut issuance to stabilize the market, dealers said. The Nikkei stock index was initially pressured by selling to lock in gains after advancing more than 500 points over the past two trading days. However, the key indexes ended higher as export-linked auto and machinery issues were bought on the weaker yen, which increases exporters' overseas profits when repatriated. Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank, said investors were waiting for fresh trading incentives after U.S. markets were closed Monday and U.S. President Donald Trump said he will delay 50 percent tariffs on imports from the European Union. "Investors took a cue from the yen's depreciation amid a lack of other incentives," he said.
The Mainichi
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Tokyo stocks fall as US downgrade fuels fears over stronger yen
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks dropped Monday, weighed down by the selling of some exporters as the downgrading of U.S. debt by a major credit rating agency raised concerns about the yen's further appreciation against the U.S. dollar. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 255.09 points, or 0.68 percent, from Friday at 37,498.63. The broader Topix index finished 2.06 points, or 0.08 percent, lower at 2,738.39. On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by marine transportation, oil and coal product, and insurance issues. The dollar fell to the upper 144 yen range in Tokyo, pressured by selling after Moody's on Friday downgraded its U.S. credit rating by one notch from top triple-A rating. Stocks declined as some export-oriented machinery and electronics issues were sold on the firmer yen, which decreases exporters' overseas profits when repatriated, with the move by the rating agency fueling fears about the yen's further gain versus the dollar. "Rising (U.S.) interest rates stemming from concerns about fiscal health leads to a weaker dollar, thus having a negative impact on Japanese stocks," said Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank. "Investors were worried about U.S. fiscal health even before the downgrade, giving upward pressure on interest rates," Yamaguchi said, adding that the rating agency's decision further raised concerns about deteriorating financial strength in the world's largest economy. Shares of companies that have a strong business base in China were also sold after Chinese data showed retail sales growth slowed in April, brokers said.
The Mainichi
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Tokyo stocks drop as exporters sold on stronger yen
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks fell Thursday, led by selling of export-oriented auto issues on a stronger yen amid concern that Japan could be urged by the United States to address the currency's weakness. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 372.62 points, or 0.98 percent, from Thursday at 37,755.51. The broader Topix index finished 24.33 points, or 0.88 percent, lower at 2,738.96. On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by transportation equipment, securities house and insurance issues. The U.S. dollar fell to the upper 145 yen range in Tokyo, as the yen was bought on speculation that the United States may broach its weakness during talks between the U.S. and Japanese finance ministers that could take place next week, dealers said. On the stock market, auto shares were notably sold on concern about the adverse impact of the yen's appreciation, after automakers projected lower profits for this business year or refrained from releasing guidance, citing uncertainty caused by hefty U.S. tariffs. "Investors opted to sell for now amid unclear prospects of tariffs and exchange rates as Japan-U.S. trade negotiations are expected to progress," said Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank. U.S. President Donald Trump is believed to favor a weaker dollar, having previously accused Japan of devaluing its currency and purposely creating a trade surplus with Washington. While early-week stock market gains reflected investor optimism after the United States and China said Monday they had agreed to sharply cut tariffs, participants have recently grown cautious ahead of further talks between Tokyo and Washington, Yamaguchi said.
The Mainichi
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Tokyo stocks rise sharply after US-Britain trade agreement
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks rose sharply Friday after a trade agreement between the United States and Britain fueled hopes for progress in Washington's talks with other trading partners. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 574.70 points, or 1.56 percent, from Thursday at 37,503.33, closing above the 37,000 threshold for the first time since March 28. The broader Topix index finished 34.77 points, or 1.29 percent, higher at 2,733.49. On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by warehousing and harbor transportation service, bank, and insurance issues. The U.S. dollar briefly climbed to the lower 146 yen range in Tokyo, as the Japanese currency, seen as a safe-haven asset, was sold after the U.S.-Britain trade deal eased concern about the prospects for the global economy, dealers said. It later retreated to the lower 145 yen level following a recent sharp advance. Stocks advanced as a broad range of issues were bought after the first trade deal was announced since U.S. President Donald Trump imposed hefty tariffs on many countries, with the agreement coming ahead of high-level U.S.-China talks this weekend. "While the event is only likely to be the beginning of some kind of discussions, there are expectations that things will start moving forward," said Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank. Among gainers, export-oriented auto issues rose on a weaker yen, which increases exporters' overseas profits when repatriated. But investors refrained from chasing higher ground as they were uncertain whether Washington and Beijing can make significant progress in their talks, Yamaguchi said.
The Mainichi
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Nikkei ends up nearly 2% on hopes US-China trade tensions ease
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index rose for the third straight day to end up nearly 2 percent Friday, lifted by hopes of easing trade tensions between the United States and China. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed up 666.59 points, or 1.90 percent, from Thursday at 35,705.74, its highest level since April 2. The broader Topix index finished 35.47 points, or 1.37 percent, higher at 2,628.03. On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by nonferrous metal, electric appliance and marine transportation issues. The U.S. dollar briefly rose to the upper 143 yen range in Tokyo as the yen, seen as a safe-haven asset, was sold on easing fears of intensified trade friction between the world's two biggest economies. The yen was also under pressure after the U.S. finance chief did not push his Japanese counterpart to prop up the yen during their talks in Washington, dealers said. Stocks were boosted by export-oriented auto, electronics and machinery issues on the weaker yen, which increases exporters' overseas profits when repatriated. The Nikkei index extended gains in the afternoon after a report that China is considering excluding some U.S. imports from its 125 percent tariffs, sharply lifting shares of companies that have strong sales in China, brokers said. "Considering the impact of those two countries' trade volumes on the global economy, the easing of tensions in their tariff conflict clearly pushed up Japanese stocks," said Kazuo Kamitani, strategist at Nomura Securities Co. The benchmark ended the day after erasing some gains as some investors sold shares to adjust their positions before the upcoming Golden Week holidays, brokers said. Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank, said the stock market has been "too optimistic" as no progress has been made in tariff negotiations between Japan and the United States. "Many companies may revise down their earnings outlook or not be able to release their projections" due to the impact of U.S. tariffs, he said.
