Nikkei closes above 33,000 for the first time in 33 years

JAPAN’S benchmark Nikkei gauge surged on Tuesday (Jun 13), closing over 30,000 for the first time in 33 years, led by technology shares on expectations of a flood of investment in chip-related companies.

The Nikkei climbed for a third-straight session, adding 1.8 per cent to 33,018.65, closing above the key psychological level for the first time since July 1990. The broader Topix gained 1.16 per cent to 2,264.79.

Global shares climbed on Monday ahead of closely watched US inflation data on and policy decisions from the Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, and other central banks.

SoftBank Group Corp jumped 5.25 per cent on reports it may team up on an AI venture with ChatGPT operator OpenAI and that its semiconductor unit Arm is in investment talks with Intel Corp.

Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest Corp soared 4.79 per cent. Toyota Motor Corp shares leapt 4.99 per cent after the automaker announced plans to market next-generation battery electronic vehicles (EVs) from 2026.

Toyota’s EV strategy “was well received by the market, and also last night the US market was strong, so we have a strong market today,” said Daiwa Securities strategist Kenji Abe.

SEE ALSO

Nikkei posts ninth straight weekly gain after special quotation price gets fixed

DECODING ASIA

Navigate Asia in
a new global order

Get the insights delivered to your inbox.

With expectations of a soft landing in the US and Fed easing later in the year, “this high valuation is likely to continue for the time being,” he added.

Among Nikkei constituents, 170 companies advanced, while 54 declined. Drugmaker Eisai Co Ltd was an outlier, giving back 2.22 per cent after a surge on Monday on positive news about its Alzheimer’s treatment.

The auto sector rose 3.4 per cent to become the best performer among the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s 33 industry sub-indexes. A basket of paper producers was the biggest loser, falling 1.05 per cent. REUTERS