Nikkei 225 rebounds on semiconductor and AI stock gains

The Nikkei 225 saw a significant rebound on September 30, closing up 1,272.45 yen at 66,753.72 yen. This upward movement was largely driven by the semiconductor and AI sectors, following gains in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) in the US markets. Key contributors to the index's rise included SoftBank Group, Fast Retailing, Tokyo Electron, Advantest, and Fujikura.

In the semiconductor sector, SUMCO rose by 9.08%, and Fujikura increased by 5.94%. Kioxia Holdings also saw a 1.20% increase, following a stock split effective October 1. While the Nikkei 225 experienced this surge, the broader market showed varied performance; for instance, the game and entertainment sector saw more selling pressure, with 54% of tracked stocks declining.

Looking at the first half of the fiscal year, the Nikkei 225 reached a historic high of over 72,000 yen in June, fueled by the AI boom. However, growth has since fluctuated due to concerns regarding interest rate hikes, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and the sustainability of AI investments. Experts note a growing concentration in AI and semiconductor-related stocks compared to the broader TOPIX and the Growth market.