Nikkei 225 Closes Above 63,000 for First Time, Sets New All-Time High

The Nikkei 225 Average, Japan's leading stock market index, rose for a second consecutive day, surpassing the 63,000 mark. It closed at a record high.

On this day, the Nikkei 225 closed at 63,272.11, up 0.84% from the previous trading session.

Early in the session, the Nikkei 225 started off weak due to declines in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor stocks on the U.S. stock market the previous day, as well as the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April rising 3.8% year-on-year. AI and semiconductor stocks such as Advantest and Tokyo Electron were weak, signaling a pause in the semiconductor rally.

However, funds flowed into trading companies and financial stocks, sectors that tend to attract buyers during periods of rising interest rates. The TOPIX index showed strength, and the Nikkei 225 gradually recovered. Mitsubishi Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, and Toyota Tsusho all hit record highs on this day. There was also buying momentum in bank and insurance stocks.

Nikkei, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, analyzed that funds are shifting from overheated semiconductor stocks to value stocks with strong earnings performance.