Market Updates
Japan's Indexes Advanced After Powell Comments Raised Hopes for U.S. Rate Cuts
Akira Ito
15 Oct, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's market indexes rebounded for the second consecutive day amid hopes of U.S. rate actions, but political uncertainty limited market gains.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average surged 1.8%, and the broader Topix increased 1.5% after comments from the Fed Chair Jerome Powell raised prospects of rate cuts at the next policy meeting.
Powell confirmed that the economy is slightly stronger than previously estimated, but employment risks are rising.
"While the unemployment rate remained low through August, payroll gains have slowed sharply, likely in part due to a decline in labor force growth due to lower immigration and labor force participation.
In this less dynamic and somewhat softer labor market, the downside risks to employment appear to have risen," said Powell while delivering his comments at the NABE meeting in Philadelphia.
Moreover, LDP leader Sanae Takaichi is facing higher hurdles in winning her bid for Japan's premiership, as opposition parties are looking for a way to put up a unified front.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 1.8% to 47,683.10, and the broader Topix gained 1.5% to 3,182.03.
SoftBank Group advanced 5% to ¥21,945.0, Tokyo Electron gained 2.2% to ¥29,070.0, and Advantest Corp. increased 2.2% to ¥17,365.0.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines increased 0.2% to ¥4,378.0, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. added 0.07% to ¥2,067.0, and Nippon Yusen KK fell 0.3% to ¥5,012.0.
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