Key Facts
• August 19: Nikkei Index fell 168.02 points to 43,546.29.
• Morning session: Hit record high of 43,876.42 before profit-taking.
• Afternoon: Dropped as much as 300 points due to selling pressure.
• TOPIX closed at 3,116.63, down 0.14%.
• Prime Market Index fell 0.14% to 1,604.16.
• Trading volume: 19.8 billion shares; value: ¥5.078 trillion.
• 65% of Prime Market stocks rose; 31% fell; 3% unchanged.
• Sectors: Pharmaceuticals, real estate gained; banks, non-ferrous metals declined.
• SoftBank Group hit record high but turned negative due to profit-taking.
• First Retailing and SoftBank dragged Nikkei by nearly 200 points.
• Growth 250 Index rose 0.05% to 800.62, marking a fourth consecutive gain.
• Analyst: “Market lacks strong buying catalysts ahead of Jackson Hole meeting.”
Summary
The Nikkei Index fell 168.02 points to 43,546.29 on August 19, ending a three-day rally. Despite hitting a record high of 43,876.42 in the morning, profit-taking dominated, particularly in major stocks like SoftBank Group and First Retailing, which collectively dragged the index by nearly 200 points. The TOPIX and Prime Market Index also declined slightly, while 65% of Prime Market stocks rose, reflecting mixed sentiment. Pharmaceuticals and real estate sectors saw gains, while banks and non-ferrous metals declined. Trading volume reached 19.8 billion shares, with a value of ¥5.078 trillion. Analysts noted a lack of strong buying momentum ahead of the Jackson Hole meeting, despite the market’s resilience at lower levels.
