Japanese Stocks Mixed Ahead of US CPI Data
The Nikkei 225 index fell 0.08% to close at 38,445, while the broader Topix index rose 0.31% to 2,691 on Wednesday, as Japanese shares struggled for direction ahead of a key US inflation report. Investors remained cautious, with the data potentially weighing on the Federal Reserve’s ability to cut borrowing costs this year.
In Japan, a private survey showed a pick-up in manufacturers’ sentiment in January, driven largely by improving conditions in the materials sector. However, the near-term outlook remains weak amid uncertainty over policies proposed by former President Trump. Technology stocks were mostly lower, with significant losses for Advantest (-3.5%), Tokyo Electron (-1.4%), and Lasertec (-2.1%). In contrast, significant gains were seen in stocks such as IHI Corp (2.3%), Fast Retailing (1.3%), and Nintendo (2.5%).
Source: Trading Economics
