Market Updates
Japan indexes Erase Early Gains Amid Resurgent Inflation Worries
Akira Ito
26 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Stocks in Tokyo meandered amid contradictory signals from the U.S. and Iran, and investors shifted their attention to the earnings outlook.
The Nikkei 225 stock average fell 0.7%, and the broader Topix index decreased 0.6%.
Brent crude oil prices rose 2.1% to $104.29 a barrel as Iran rejected the U.S. claims of ceasefire talks, and the embattled nation demanded $100 billion in war reparations and fees for the passage of oil cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
At least 30% to 40% of energy infrastructure is destroyed in the Middle East after Iran stepped up its attacks in retaliation for the U.S.-Iran joint strikes.
Market sentiment improved after Japan received two oil tankers from the Middle East, easing some supply pressures.
However, investors worried that the recent surge in crude oil prices could stoke overall inflation if the war in the Middle East continues.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.7% to 53,391.31, and the broader Topix Index declined 0.6% to 3,628.60.
Kioxia Holdings, SoftBank Group, Advantest Corp., and Tokyo Electron increased between 0.2% and 0.4%.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, Mizuho Financial, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial traded volatilely and swung between losses and gains.
Nippon Yusen KK increased by 0.9%, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines advanced 2.2%, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha advanced between 5%.
Annual Returns
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Earnings
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