On April 25, 2025, the Nikkei Stock Average continued its upward trajectory, closing at 35,705.74 yen, which reflects a gain of 666.59 yen, or 1.9%, from the previous trading day. This rise was largely driven by a retreat from concerns that Japan would face pressure from the Trump administration to correct the yen's depreciation. Investors were buoyed by the expectation that a weaker yen would bolster corporate earnings, particularly for export-oriented companies.
On the previous day, April 24, the Nikkei average had already shown a positive trend, ending at 35,039.15 yen, up 170.52 yen. The Tokyo market had been influenced by several positive factors, including speculation regarding a review of tariffs on China by the Trump administration. Additionally, there was a reduction in concerns about the yen's appreciation against the dollar, along with discussions on specific tax reductions for the automobile sector.
The trading data from April 24 revealed a robust buying activity, with 131 stocks rising and 94 declining, indicating a predominantly positive market sentiment. The top contributors to the Nikkei average on that day included major players such as Tokyo Electron (8035), Advantest (6857), SoftBank Group (9984), TDK (6762), and Shin-Etsu Chemical (4063). Conversely, the stocks that detracted from the index included KDDI (9433), Konami (9766), Fast Retailing (9983), Bandai Namco HD (7832), and Nitori (9843).
On April 25, the market sentiment was further uplifted by the buying of Nissan Motor, which had just announced that its consolidated net loss for the fiscal year ending March 2025 would be the largest in its history. This announcement came after the market closed on April 24, but it seemed to reflect positively on investor sentiment the following day, as investors looked to capitalize on potential recovery.
The trading volume on the Tokyo Prime Market on April 24 was notable, with 188.7 million shares changing hands, although the trading value decreased to 4,145.107 billion yen compared to the previous day. The market's performance was mixed across various sectors; while industries such as other products, nonferrous metals, insurance, marine transportation, and transportation equipment saw gains, sectors like land transportation, food products, real estate, retail, and agriculture faced declines.
In terms of individual stock performance on April 24, the top gainers included Nosomura Micro Science (6254), which rose by 229 yen (+10.46%) to close at 2,419 yen, followed by Osaka Titanium Technologies (5726), which increased by 118 yen (+7.79%) to 1,633 yen, and Tokyo Energy & Systems (1945), which gained 71 yen (+6.77%) to finish at 1,120 yen. On the downside, GMO Internet (4784) led the losers, dropping 267 yen (-9.73%) to 2,478 yen, followed by Coorl Holdings (3034), which fell 205 yen (-8.72%) to 2,147 yen, and Toray Mende Devices (2737), which lost 405 yen (-7.51%) to close at 4,985 yen.
As of April 24, a total of 39 stocks had reached new year-to-date highs, while only one stock recorded a new year-to-date low. This indicates a generally bullish sentiment in the market, despite the underlying concerns regarding global economic conditions.
Looking ahead, analysts are cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the Nikkei and the broader Japanese stock market. The interplay between the U.S. administration's policies and Japan's economic performance remains a critical focus for investors. As companies adjust to the fluctuating currency values, particularly in the context of export reliance, the market's performance will likely continue to reflect these dynamics.
In summary, the recent performance of the Nikkei Stock Average illustrates a complex interplay of domestic and international factors influencing investor sentiment. The market's resilience, despite challenges, signals a potential for growth as stakeholders navigate the evolving economic landscape.
