Nikkei Surges 3.6%; AI Stocks Lead the Rally
Japanese stock markets closed sharply higher in Wednesday's trading (August 5). The Nikkei 225 rose 3.60% to the 66,250 level, bolstered by gains in the real estate, banking, and textile sectors, alongside renewed investor interest in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) stocks.
Ibiden was the top performer, surging 24.49% to 20,330 yen. Yamaha Motor rose 19.46% to 1,805 yen, hitting a record high, while SoftBank Group jumped 13.96% to 5,958 yen. The rally in SoftBank and Ibiden shares highlights the market's renewed appetite for Japan's AI ecosystem.
Conversely, Yokogawa Electric fell 10.04%, IHI weakened 6.53%, and Daikin Industries retreated 6.31%. Despite pressure on some major stocks, the market rally was broad-based, with 2,329 stocks advancing compared to 1,145 declining.
Global sentiment also supported the Nikkei following record highs on Wall Street and renewed demand for tech stocks. Falling oil prices benefited Japan—a major energy importer—while easing concerns regarding inflation and rising production costs.
Brent crude traded around US$78.85 per barrel, while WTI hovered near US$75.09, driven by optimism regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The USD/JPY exchange rate remained relatively stable around 157.63, while a drop in bond yields pushed spot gold prices up to approximately US$4,140 per troy ounce.
Newsmaker Analysis: Nikkei momentum remains bullish as long as AI stocks sustain their rally, oil prices stay low, and the yen does not appreciate sharply. The 67,000 level serves as the next psychological resistance point. However, a 3.6% rise in a single session increases the risk of profit-taking towards the 65,500–65,000 range, particularly if the yen strengthens or US technology stocks undergo another correction.
Source: Newsmaker.id
