Active Investing in Japan

Japanese stocks continued to face selling pressure last week (-1.7% on the week) until a sharp reversal during the morning session on Friday. In fact, the Nikkei 225 fell below 15,000 early Friday and was in a six-session losing streak until a fractionally higher close Thurs. The N225’s Fri. close of 15,257 doesn’t leave much room for another possible drop below 15,000, especially considering the light trading expected for the week. Note, the Tokyo Stock Exchange is closed Monday for the Emperor’s birthday and Friday (the last day of trading in ‘07) is a half-day. U.S. equities have a half-day on Monday and are closed for Christmas on Tuesday. continue reading…

Japan market summary for Friday (Dec. 21)
Nikkei 225 Stock Average: +225.40 (+1.5%) to 15,257.00
Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: +310 (+2.1%) to 15,320, Singapore (SGX) +265 (+1.8%) to 15,295, Chicago (CME) *12/20 -55 (-0.4%) to 15,155
TOPIX: +11.64 (+0.8%) to 1,469.20; Advancers 1,000 x decliners 607 (unch. 119), New highs 3 x new lows 252
Nikkei Jasdaq: -10.44 (-0.6%) to 1,699.22
Yen: mostly flat against the US$ at the 113.15 level late in Tokyo; weakened 0.2% against the euro to the 162.70 level
Notes: The Nikkei 225 recovered sharply after falling below 15,000 before 10 a.m. Stocks traded higher across Asia. However, TOPIX 2nd Section fell for a 7th-straight session to a new ytd low. Jasdaq also renewed its ytd low. MOTHERS +2.1%, HERCULES +2.0%