Japan's Nikkei rises on Advantest profit outlook as BOJ looms
EWJ•Japan's Nikkei gained 1.1% to 64,659.47, with Advantest accounting for nearly two-thirds of its 705-point rise after improving its profit forecast. Investors also awaited the Bank of Japan's Friday policy decision and further technology earnings.
1. Advantest lifts Nikkei
The Nikkei rose 1.1% to 64,659.47 on Thursday. Advantest drove the gain, contributing nearly two-thirds of the benchmark's 705-point increase after its improved profit forecast; Tokyo Electron rose 2.4% and SoftBank Group gained 1.8%.
2. Investors await decisions
The broader Topix ended 0.3% higher at 4,003.28. Technology earnings and Friday's Bank of Japan policy decision limited gains; economists predicted interest rates would remain unchanged. Hundreds of Japanese companies were due to report results on Thursday and Friday.
3. Mixed market moves
The Nikkei was volatile, briefly turning negative after Samsung Electronics shares slumped despite record earnings. Hitachi fell 9.8%, the index's biggest percentage decline, despite raising its full-year profit forecast. Jefferies analysts said semiconductor production equipment stocks faced concerns about the sustainability of growth, while a continued expansion of AI semiconductor and equipment markets could support a valuation rebound.
