Japan Stocks End 6-Day Decline as Honda Gains on Nissan Merger
Japan’s stocks rose to end a six-day decline as carmakers and semiconductor-related names gained on a weaker yen. Banks also pushed the market higher as traders weighed the outlook for higher borrowing costs.
The Topix rose 0.9% to 2,726.74 at market close.
The Nikkei advanced 1.2% to 39,161.34.
Toyota Motor contributed the most to the Topix’s gain, increasing 2.4%, while its peer Honda Motor also advanced. Honda and Nissan Motor are looking to finalize a merger agreement as soon as June after negotiations begin later Monday, and may combine in 2026, Japanese media reported, citing unidentified sources.
“Traders are looking for Japan-specific clues to trade stocks,” said Masahiro Yamaguchi, a senior market analyst at SMBC Trust Bank. Lenders are up but “the BOJ’s cautious stance toward a rate hike may weigh on the bank stocks.”
Out of 2,125 stocks in the Topix, 1,409 rose and 620 fell, while 96 were unchanged.
Source: Bloomberg
