Active Investing in Japan

The Nikkei recovered 16,000 intra-week last week, but fell back towards the 15,500 level by Friday in an event-heavy week. It seems unlikely the N225 will re-test 16,000 this week as trading slows ahead of the Christmas holiday in the U.S. continue reading…

Japan market summary for Friday (Dec. 14)
Nikkei 225 Stock Average: -22.01 (-0.1%) to 15,514.51; third-straight loss
Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: +30 (+0.2%) to 15,570, Singapore (SGX) -20 (-0.1%) to 15,545, Chicago (CME) *12/13 -340 (-2.1%) to 15,580
TOPIX: -14.85 (-1.0%) to 1,501.25; Advancers 544 x decliners 1,086 (unch. 97), New highs 12 x new lows 53
Nikkei Jasdaq: -4.07 (-0.2%) to 1,755.46
Yen: weakened 0.7% against the US$ to the 112.40 level late in Tokyo; mostly unchanged (fractionally lower) against the euro to the 164.10-15 level
Notes: Volatile session due to December stock index option settlement (SQ). In addition, the BOJ’s tankan reading of confidence among large manufacturers came in worse than expected (see MarketWatch summary), but there was still an early rally thanks to the weaker yen. MOTHERS -4.0%, HERCULES -2.2%