TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei index fell for a third day on Tuesday, amid risks to growth from aggressive US monetary tightening and strict COVID-19 curbs in China, but ended off its lows as bargain hunting emerged and US stock futures pointed to a rebound.
The Nikkei closed 1.32% lower at 26,629.86, but after earlier sinking as much as 2.19%, the lowest since May 19. The broader Topix slid 1.19% to 1,878.45.
“There’s a stock feeling underpinning the market that stocks have gotten cheap, and we’re seeing some bargain hunting,” said a market participant at a domestic trust bank. Still, sentiment remains fragile.
Beijing is testing millions to stem the spread from a cluster infection at a 24-hour bar, with China’s vice premier saying COVID prevention and control needs to be strengthened. Shanghai is only just emerging from a crippling two-month-long lockdown.
“The reimposition of restrictions in Beijing, Shanghai and other places is sparking worries of new supply chain disruptions,” said Kazuo Kamitani, a strategist at Nomura Securities.
Meanwhile, investors are seen bracing for 150 basis points of rate hikes over two meetings by the Federal Open Market Committee — one that ends on Wednesday and another in the following month.
This is after data on Friday showed US consumer price inflation ran red hot.
“Right before the FOMC is a very difficult backdrop for growth stocks,” said a market participant at a domestic securities company. Wall Street confirmed a bear market overnight, with the S&P 500 dropping 3.88% on the day and down more than 20% from its most recent closing high.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq tumbled 4.6%.
Tech was among the Nikkei’s worst performing sectors, down 1.95%. Healthcare dropped 2.18%, while real estate slumped the most, down 2.97%.
Even financials gave up early gains on higher bond yields to end 0.14% lower. Of the Nikkei’s 225 components, 171 fell versus 52 that rose and two that were flat.
Tokyo shares open lower on inflation worries
Chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron sank 2.84%, and was the Nikkei’s biggest drag, shaving off 36 index points.
Startup investor SoftBank Group knocked another 28 points off the benchmark, with a 2.56% decline.
Travel-related stocks took a hit, with airlines ANA Holdings off 3.61% and Japan Airlines down 2.88%.
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