Nikkei Ends Flat as Defense Stocks Support
The Nikkei Stock Average closed flat at 39372.23 as gains in defense stocks helped offset losses in utilities.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries gained 4.1% and Kawasaki Heavy Industries climbed 10%, while Kansai Electric Power fell 1.5% and Chubu Electric Power dropped 1.5%. Broader market index Topix gained 0.3% to 2749.31.
Investors will be focusing on U.S. inflation data due later in the day. USD/JPY was at 151.70, compared with 151.96 as of Tuesday 5 p.m. Eastern time. The 10-year Japanese government bond yield rose half a basis point to 1.065%.
Source : Dow Jones Newswires