Market Updates
Japan Stocks Struggled Amid Higher Interest Rate Narrative
Akira Ito
27 May, 2025
Tokyo
Stock market indexes in Japan lacked direction as trade uncertainties loomed.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 0.2%, and the Topix index bounded around the flatline as investors awaited a flood of corporate results this week.
The yen strengthened to a four-week high of 142.85 as the U.S. dollar continued to drift lower amid the rising "Sell U.S." narrative among investors in Asia.
Moreover, expectations rose that the Bank of Japan is likely to continue with its rate increase campaign after core inflation in April unexpectedly accelerated to 3.5%.
Gold retained an upward bias as central banks in Asia continued to allocate more reserves to the precious metal as the U.S. dollar's safe haven status dims.
Japan's trade negotiators are still holding out for a reprieve from a punitive 25% U.S. tariff on Japanese vehicles, but so far an agreement has been elusive.
Moreover, the U.S. delayed the start of the 50% tariffs on imports from the European Union to July 9, as both sides struggled to find common ground.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.2% to 37,459.22, and the Topix index edged up 0.01% to 2,753.27.
Tech stocks traded down as investors sold high-flying artificial intelligence-linked stocks.
Tokyo Electron decreased 1.2% to ¥23,060.0, Advantest Corp. dropped 0.4% to ¥7,071.0, and Disco Corp. fell 1.9% to ¥33,630.0.
Seven & I Holdings decreased 0.7% to ¥2,148.50, Fast Retailing dropped 0.1% to ¥47,100.0, Takashimaya Co. Ltd. rose 1.5% to ¥1,158.0, and Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd. gained 1.5% to ¥2,155.0.
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Earnings
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