Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average Rises as US Economic Worries Recede (UPDATE 1)

Yomiuri Shimbun file photo
The Tokyo Stock Exchange

TOKYO (Reuters) — Japan’s Nikkei share average gained on Wednesday, as concerns about the U.S. economy receded, prompting investors to continue buying cheap stocks after a heavy sell-off earlier this week.

The Nikkei rose 0.6% to end the day at 40,794.86.

The broader Topix jumped 1% to 2,966.57.

“Investors bought stocks because the gains of the Nikkei in the previous session were not enough to recoup declines on Monday,” said Naoki Fujiwara, a senior fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management.

Japanese shares slid the most in two months on Monday as concerns mounted over the U.S. economy and trade, while speculation grew over a potential upheaval in domestic politics.

“It is just the declines of heavyweight stocks that are dragging the index today,” said Fujiwara.

Tokyo Electron slumped 3.8% to weigh the most on the Nikkei. Mizuho Securities analysts downgraded the rating of the chip-making equipment maker to “Neutral” from “Buy.”

Mitsui Fudosan leapt 5.9% after the property developer’s quarterly net profit nearly doubled from a year ago.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rose 4.8%, jumping for a second session, after the heavy machinery maker clinched a landmark deal to build Australia’s next-generation warships.

Of more than 1,600 stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s prime market, 79% rose, 18% fell and 3% traded flat.

All but one of the TSE’s 33 industry sub-indexes rose, with the property sector climbing 2.8% to be the top performer.