[Fujitomi] Nikkei Stock Average rebounds; yen gains pause; geopolitical risks of concern
The Nikkei stock average rebounded and finished trading at 18,664.63 yen, up 67.57 yen (0.36%) from the previous day. Buying that aimed at a self-recovery after the previous day's intraday low and relief from a stronger yen were prevalent. After reports that the U.S. military fired missiles at Syria just after 10 a.m., geopolitical risk concerns rose and the yen strengthened while the dollar weakened. The Nikkei initially faced selling pressure and turned lower at one point, but since reports said the Syria strike by the U.S. was a one-off, excessive caution subsided. At the close, news that President Putin labeled Syria attacks as invasions and violations of international law spread caution after the close. There were also reports that North Korea was preparing for a nuclear test, leaving concerns in the European trading session. A research team from Johns Hopkins University that analyzes North Korea’s movements via satellite imagery pointed out that, based on the latest satellite photos, movements of vehicles and people-like objects were observed at the nuclear test site in northeastern Punggye-ri (Barang), indicating that activity continues, NHK reported.
The TOPIX also rose, finishing at 1,489.77, up 9.59 points (0.65%). The trading value on the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section was 2,765.4 billion yen, and the trading volume was 2,414,500,000 shares. The number of上涨 stocks on the First Section was 1,475, down 430, and unchanged 107 stocks.
