FX.co ★ Japanese Shares Pause from Record Highs

The Nikkei 225 Index hovered around 43,770 with minimal changes, while the Topix remained steady near 3,120, as markets paused after reaching record highs. Investors are vigilantly monitoring the progress of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. In a recent development, US President Trump has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to prepare for a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, marking the latest effort in Trump's campaign to resolve the three-year conflict. Meanwhile, market participants are also anticipating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's address at the Jackson Hole symposium later this week. This event is expected to provide insights into the forthcoming trajectory of interest rates. On the domestic front, the Japanese economy exceeded growth expectations in the second quarter, largely driven by strong net exports, despite persistent pressure from US tariffs. Investors are now awaiting forthcoming trade data to gain a deeper understanding of the broader economic outlook. Among the notable performers were Advantest, up 2.3%, Softbank Group Corp, rising by 1.4%, and Toyota, increasing by 1.2%.