Published on 07/23/2026 at 03:20 am EDT
(Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average ended higher on Thursday, as chip-related stocks tracked U.S. peers higher overnight, though prospects for an early rate hike from the Bank of Japan limited gains.
The Nikkei rose 0.46% to 66,422.6, while the broader Topix gained 0.51% to 4,053.88.
Overnight, the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index, a reference for the Nikkei, rose 0.4%. Alphabet said that it expects to spend between $195 billion and $205 billion in capital expenditures, compared with the earlier plan of $180 billion to $190 billion this year.
"Sentiment improved after Alphabet raised its outlook for investments, and U.S. chip stocks inched up," said Shuutarou Yasuda, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory.
"On the other hand, bets that the BOJ may raise interest rates early hurt sentiment. Until now, the central bank tried to support the economy while raising rates, but that stance may change, which is negative for stocks led by domestic demand."
In Japan, AI and chip-related shares advanced, with Advantest jumping 4.11%. Technology investor SoftBank Group rose 3.77%.
Memory chip maker Kioxia reversed early gains to end 3.72% lower. Chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron also erased gains to end 0.02% lower.
Bank shares rose along withJapanese government bond yields, which rose on bets of an early rate hike.
Mizuho Financial Group rose 2.78%. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group climbed more than 2% each.
Shares of retailers, which rely on domestic demand, fell, with Takashimaya dropping 6.14% to become the biggest percentage loser on the Nikkei. Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings fell 4.65%.
Of some 1,500 stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's prime market, 44% rose, 53% fell and 2% traded flat.
(Reporting by Junko Fujita; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Ronojoy Mazumdar)
Sumber : Reuters
powered by: IPOTNEWS.COM
