Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed 0.61% higher on Wednesday, as gains in real estate, banking and textiles & apparel sectors offset broader caution. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a margin of 2,129 to 1,357, with 270 unchanged.
The Nikkei 225’s implied volatility, as measured by Nikkei 225 options, rose 8.11% to 30.41, reflecting modestly elevated market uncertainty. The dollar futures index edged 0.08% lower to 98.92.
Among the top performers, Mitsubishi Materials Corp. led with a 5.95% gain, closing at 5,963 yen. Tokyo Electric Power Co. added 3.96% to finish at 538.30 yen, while Advantest Corp. rose 3.63% to 35,700 yen. On the downside, SUMCO Corp. fell 3.90% to 3,405 yen, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha declined 3.36% to 3,306 yen, and Nippon Yusen K.K. dropped 2.48% to 6,964 yen.
The yen’s strength weighed on exporters: USD/JPY fell 0.08% to 159.06, while EUR/JPY declined 0.11% to 185.58. Oil prices retreated, with October crude futures down 2.12% at $80.61 per barrel and November Brent down 1.73% at $85.76. December gold futures slipped 0.04% to $4,692.46 per ounce.
