Tokyo: Nikkei falls as coronavirus resurgence in Europe hits sentiment

[TOKYO] Japan's Nikkei share average fell on Friday as new coronavirus curbs in Europe dimmed hopes of a swift global economic recovery, although losses were limited after Fast Retailing forecast upbeat annual earnings.

The benchmark Nikkei share average dropped 0.41 per cent to 23,410.63. The broader Topix lost 0.86 per cent to 1,617.69. For the week, the Nikkei was down 0.89 per cent and the Topix lost 1.8 per cent, with the latter being the largest drop in more than two months.

All but two of the 33 sector sub-indexes on the Tokyo exchange traded lower, with real estate, pharmaceuticals and land transport leading the decline on the main bourse.

Sentiment was weighed down after coronavirus restrictions were reimposed in Europe, with London entering a tighter lockdown and France imposing night curfews in major cities to curb a jump in Covid-19 cases.

Some investors also remained on the sidelines due to uncertainty over the US stimulus talks, and ahead of the US presidential election and earnings reports from domestic firms.

Turnover was subdued with only 1.859 trillion yen (S$24 billion) of stocks changing hands on the main board, about 20 per cent below the average over the past year.

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On the main board, decliners outnumbered gainers by a ratio of roughly seven to two.

The Nikkei, however, was helped by gains in index heavyweight Fast Retailing, which jumped more than 4.4 per cent after the operator of casual clothing chain posted better-than-expected earmings.

Fujifilm Holdings also jumped 2.5 per cent after the company said it had applied for approval in Japan of its anti-influenza drug Avigan as a treatment for Covid-19.

The Mothers Index of startup firms lost 1.66 per cent, after hitting a 14-year high earlier in the week.

REUTERS