Japan’s Nikkei Hits Closing High as Nvidia Earnings Boost Tech (UPDATE 1)
12:52 JST, May 23, 2024 (updated at 16:15 JST)
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average rose on Thursday tofinish at more than a one-month closing high as technology stocks rallied after U.S. peer Nvidia’s earnings delivered on sky-high expectations.
Markets were not disappointed in the week’s most closely watched event, with Nvidia hitting a record high after the U.S. chipmaker forecasted quarterly revenue above estimates on Wednesday and announced a stock split.
“Nvidia earnings were better than expected. So that was definitely positive for Japanese tech stocks, especially semiconductor-related companies,” said Kenji Abe, equities analyst at Daiwa Securities.
Japan’s tech shares rallied on the news, buoying the Nikkei share average to endup1.26% at 39,103.22, its highest closing level since April 15.
The broader Topix closed 0.64% higher at 2754.75.
Chip-related shares have been among the Nikkei’s best performers over the past year, helping the benchmark index climb to a record intraday high of 41,087.75 in March.
Gains were more subdued outside of tech on Thursday as investors remained cautious regarding the Bank of Japan’s policy path, analysts said.
Japan’s 10-year government bond yield rose to the psychologically significant 1%mark on Wednesday, renewing concerns in the wake of the BOJ’s recenthawkish signals, including an unexpected cut toits bond offer amounts last week.
Positive sentiment picked up in the afternoon session, however, with 145 of the benchmark index’s 225 constituents advancing.
On Thursday, Advantest, which counts Nvidia among its customers, jumped 5.4% to contribute about 78 points to the Nikkei’s 486-point gain.
AI-focused startup investor SoftBank Group, up 4.3%, and chip-making equipment giant Tokyo Electron, climbing 1.8%, together added nearly134 points.
Chip equipment manufacturers Disco Corpand Lasertec also surged, gaining 8% and 6.3%, respectively.
Among decliners, videogame maker Nexon slid 5.6% to the bottom of the pack, while Chugai Pharmaceutical lost 1.2%. Fellow pharmaceutical firm Daiichi Sankyo was down 0.9%.
"News Services" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
British Rock Band Oasis to Reunite for 2025 Tour
-
China Stops Foreign Adoptions of its Children After Three Decades
-
TikTok’s Keith Lee Says D.C. Dining Is Too Boozy. Insiders Disagree.
-
Pope Opens Asia Odyssey with Stop in Indonesia to Rally Catholics, Hail Religious Freedom Tradition
-
Airlines Suspend Flights as Middle East Tensions Rise
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Philippines Steps Up Defense of Northernmost Province with Eye on Possible Contingency Involving Taiwan
- Typhoon Shanshan Forms, Slowly Moves Toward Japan; Govt Says Typhoon No. 10 Likely to Approach Japan Next Week
- Tokyo Companies Prepare for Ashfall From Mt. Fuji Eruption; Disposal Of Ash, Possibly at Sea, A Major Challenge
- Shizuoka Pref. City Offers Foreigners Free Japanese Language Classes; Aims to Raise Non-Natives to Daily Conversation Level
- Typhoon No. 10 Forecast to Develop; Move into Pacific Ocean South of Japan on Aug. 26