iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

JPXN

Market cap $132M

The Nikkei 225 Index tilted upwards on Monday, even as top technology stocks declined. It rose by 27 basis points to 64,780, up a bit from this month's low of 62,646.

Japanese stocks were higher as fears about a further escalation of the Iran conflict ease for now.

This is the first rise in core inflation since March, and was in line with the1.6% growth expected by economists polled by Reuters.

Asian stocks rallied on Wednesday as investors returned to semiconductor shares after a bruising sell-off, taking their cue from a Wall Street rebound even as Brent crude pushed further above $91 a barrel. MSCI's Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan gained 1.2%, while South Korea's Kospi surged more than 6% and Japan's Nikkei 225 climbed 1.9%.

Japan's imports jumped to a record high in June, government data showed on Wednesday, as a weak ‌yen and soaring oil prices drove up import costs and inflation, leaving the central bank in a policy bind.

The Nikkei 225 Index continued its freefall as technology companies like Softbank, Tokyo Electron, Kioxia, and Advantest plunged ahead of the upcoming big-tech earnings. It plunged by over 4%, reaching its lowest level since June 11.

The Nikkei 225 Index traded sideways on July 8 as artificial intelligence (AI) stocks rebounded after Tuesday's sharp sell-off. The index was trading at 39,770, about 7% below its highest level this year.

Reports that Japan's Ministry of Finance is abandoning its custom of telegraphing intervention risks and may instead enter the FX market to surprise market participants, has traders on edge.

The Nikkei 225 Index has sold off recently as investors book profits following its strong rally to the all-time high of 72,781 in June. It was trading at 69,190 on Thursday, up by 37% this year.

Japan's recovery from the “lost decades” of deflation and meager growth has been an on-again, off-again phenomenon. We believe that Japan should reach the “cruising altitude” phase this year and beyond, with a revised code to push companies to make better use of their cash and other assets in helping drive long-term growth.