Japan: Nikkei hits 34-year peak above 36,000 as shipping firms rally
JAPAN’S Nikkei share average on Monday (Jan 15) crossed the 36,000 mark for the first time in 34 years, powered by shippers and financials, with a retreat in US bond yields and a stabilisation in the yen exchange rate buoying sentiment.
The Nikkei finished the day nearly 1 per cent higher at 35,901.73, after touching the highest since February 1990 at 36,008.23.
Value shares outperformed after lagging growth stocks last week when the Nikkei index booked its best performance in 22 months.
The broader Topix, which is less weighted towards technology shares than the Nikkei, rose 1.22 per cent on the day and also touched a new 34-year high during the session.
The Topix value share sub-index climbed 1.55 per cent, outpacing a 0.88 per cent rise for the growth share sub-index.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange’s (TSE) shipping index jumped 5.3 per cent to lead gains among the 33 industry groups, with geopolitical risks pushing up shipping rates.
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Shares of financials, which had retreated sharply last Friday, rebounded strongly. The TSE’s index of securities firms rallied 4.56 per cent, while banking advanced 2.19 per cent.
The continued gains for Japanese stocks come despite signs of overheating. One closely watched technical indicator called the relative strength index, or RSI, climbed to 76.41 for the Nikkei, with readings above 70 signalling “overbought” conditions.
“The Nikkei is displaying surprising strength”, and some form of adjustment in the speed of the rally is likely this week, said Kazuo Kamitani, a strategist at Nomura Securities.
Providing another tailwind, after the close of Monday’s trading, the TSE will begin publishing a monthly list of companies that have disclosed plans to boost capital efficiency.
The TSE’s corporate governance initiatives are “generating a lot of excitement”, said Daniel Hurley, portfolio specialist of emerging market and Japan equities at T Rowe Price.
“It’s why foreign investors, activist investors, hedge funds and Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway are paying close attention to Japan today.” REUTERS
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