Japan Service Index Rises; Fanuc, Chugai and Fujifilm in Focus

Hiruki Nakamura
27 Oct, 2014
New York City

Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo traded higher and the yen eased against the dollar. Market indexes extended weekly gains after most banks in the euro zone passed the ECB stress test. Bank of Japan said service price index rose 3.5% in September from the previous month when prices were flat.

[R]4:30 PM Tokyo – Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo traded higher and the yen eased against the dollar. Market indexes extended weekly gains after most banks in the euro zone passed the ECB stress test. Bank of Japan said service price index rose 3.5% in September from the previous month when prices were flat.[/R]

Market indexes in Japan advanced and the yen weakened as investors shifted focus to domestic earnings.

The Bank of Japan said corporate service prices in September climbed 3.5% compared to previous month when prices were flat. Prices from a year ago month rose 0.1% after dropping 0.2% in August.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 97.08 or 0.6% to 15,388.72 and the broader Topix index increased 11.96 to 1,254.28.

The yen closed at 107.97 against one dollar.

Stocks in Review

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd slipped 1.2% to 3,220 yen after the pharmaceutical company reported revenues in the nine-month ending in September climbed 8.8% to 333.43 billion yen from 306.53 billion yen a year ago period.

Net income in the quarter jumped 4.1% to 40.58 billion yen compared to 38.98 billion yen and diluted earnings per share increased to 72.79 yen from 70.01 yen a year ago period.

Fujifilm Holdings Corp jumped 2.9% to 3,691 yen after the company’s U.S.-based subsidiary plans to acquire 49% stake in Texas-based Kalon Biotherapeutics LLC for undisclosed amount.

On Friday, an expert panel of Japanese health ministry agreed to develop anti-flu drug by a Fujifilm Corp. group of company to be used for Ebola.

Fanuc Corp declined 4.3% to 17,910 yen after the factory automation products maker stated net sales in the second-quarter ending in September surged 58.6% to 342.82 billion yen from 216.12 billion yen a year ago period.

Net income in the quarter soared 88.4% to 94.37 billion yen compared to 50.10 billion yen and earnings per share climbed to 482.28 yen from 255.98 yen a year ago period.

Resona Holdings Inc increased 1.4% to 594.80 yen after the financial service provider plans to offer 24-hour online money transfer service from April between its group banks.

Tokyo Electric Power Co Inc surged 16.5% to 395 yen after the Nikkei newspaper reported that the electric utility may report profit for the fiscal year ending in March 2015 of 125 billion compared to 43.2 billion yen a year ago period.