The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.4% to climb back above 63,500 on Monday, erasing earlier losses as selling pressure on technology stocks eased and investors continued to assess the outlook for the artificial intelligence sector. Oil prices also retreated amid growing optimism over a potential diplomatic resolution to the Middle East conflict, helping to temper inflation concerns and reduce expectations for further interest rate hikes.
Technology and AI-related stocks broadly rebounded, with notable gains in Advantest (up 4.3%), Lasertec (up 6.7%) and Tokyo Electron (up 6.8%). In contrast, Kioxia Holdings tumbled about 14% after the Japanese memory chipmaker issued a cautious outlook, fueling worries that the AI-driven surge in demand may be losing steam. Screen Holdings also sank 17%, as the company left its full-year guidance unchanged despite reporting record orders and continued strength in the semiconductor equipment market.
