Nikkei Plunges, Ahead of Tonight's NFP!
The Japanese stock market closed sharply lower on Thursday (July 2nd). The Nikkei 225 index fell 2.33% in Tokyo, pressured by weakness in the paper and pulp, transportation, and communications sectors.
Despite the decline in the main index, several stocks still posted significant gains. Otsuka Holdings was one of the best performers, rising 8.72% to 11,595. Shift Inc. also gained 7.27%, while Mercari rose 6.62% at the close of trading.
On the other hand, the biggest pressure came from Kioxia Holdings, which plunged 13.47% to 76,260. Mitsui Mining and Smelting also fell 11.38%, while Taiyo Yuden fell 9.95%. The decline in these major stocks also dragged the Nikkei index into the red.
However, overall, the number of rising stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange still outnumbered the falling ones. A total of 2,668 stocks rose, 887 stocks fell, and 208 stocks remained unchanged. The Nikkei volatility index also fell 11.80% to 33.78, indicating that uncertainty is easing somewhat.
In other markets, crude oil prices also weakened. WTI fell 1.46% to US$67.58 per barrel, while Brent fell 1.34% to US$70.61 per barrel. August gold futures edged up 0.08% to US$4,085.60 per troy ounce. In the currency market, USD/JPY fell 0.44% to 161.84, EUR/JPY weakened 0.29% to 184.40, while US dollar index futures fell 0.16% to 100.99. (asd)
Source: Newsmaker.id
