Japan’s Nikkei ends higher as tech stocks track Wall Street’s gains

TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share average ended slightly higher on Thursday, tracking Wall Street’s gains overnight, with technology stocks leading the gains.

The Nikkei inched up 0.13% to 50,407.79 points and the broader Topix rose 0.31% to 3,417.98.

“There were not many participants in the market today, but the indexes managed to be in positive territory,” said Shuutarou Yasuda, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory.

“But the indexes moved without clear directions.”

Chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron rose 1.72% to provide the biggest boost to the Nikkei. Robot maker Fanuc gained 2.03%.

Memory chip maker Kioxia Holdings rose 1.79%. The gains came after its U.S. peer Micron Technology climbed 3.8% overnight to a closing record after the company issued a strong forecast last week.

Sony Group gained 1.23% to become the biggest source of the Topix’ gains. Toyota Motor rose 0.63%.

Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest fell 1.81%, weighing on the Nikkei the most. Fibre optic cable maker Fujikura lost 2.49%.

Uniqlo clothing store operator Fast Retailing fell 0.71%.