It is well-known that the Japanese are cautious. Concerns about the coronavirus spread are forcing them to be as safe as possible. Thus, the governor of Osaka Prefecture intends to demand the introduction of a state of emergency from the federal authorities. This initiative can also be supported by the neighboring prefectures.
Of course, investors are worried about the epidemiological situation in Japan. They also doubt the stability of the current government as it is not able to take emergency measures as fast as the local authorities. Moreover, most Japanese companies are export-oriented. That is why the instability of the global economy, and of the US economy in particular, discourage market participants.
As a result, such negative fundamental factors have led to a slump in Nikkei 225 this week.
On Monday, April 19, the market began falling amid a drop in the all main indices of the US stock market (S&P, Dow Jones Industrial, NASDAQ). Stocks of the companies from the technological sector also declined because of a rise in the long-term interest rates.
On Tuesday, the Japanese stock market collapsed. The better part of the companies included in Nikkei 225 faced a significant decrease in their stocks. The most significant drop was logged in the shares of such companies as Marui Group Co. (-5.5%), Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. (-4.7%), Dentsu Group Inc. (-4.5%), Mazda Motor Corp. (-4.1%), Hino Motors Ltd. (-4.1%), and Takashimaya (-4.09%). As a result, the Nikkei 225 index slid by more than 500 points, showing the largest drop in a month. Interestingly, the Topix index also slumped by 1.55%. Such a collapse was last seen four months ago. Moreover, at the Osaka Stock Exchange, June futures of Nikkei 225 nosedived by 550 points.
At the moment, Nikkei 225 continues falling. Its futures contract is also losing in value. Amid the current epidemiological situation, the index may pass the level of 28,440, a low of the previous month, and fall even deeper. At the same time, the Japanese yen is likely to rise.
