JAPAN’S Nikkei 225 Stock Average climbed above the psychological level of 40,000 for the first time, opening the door to further gains in its historic rally.
The blue-chip gauge rose 0.5 per cent to close at 40,109.23 on heavy market turnover. Tech shares, which have helped push equities higher over the past year, led the way, with Advantest Corp among the top performers. The Nikkei rose as much as 1 per cent earlier in the day.
Domestic investors helped fuel the move on Monday (Mar 4) as they joined global funds who have been the main drivers of the rally. Japan’s biggest online broker, SBI Securities, said its stock-trading app briefly crashed as a flood of customers attempted to log in.
“The Nikkei 225’s 40,000 is certainly a key psychological level, which could offer some resistance for the index and bring volatility,” said Charu Chanana, strategist at Saxo Capital Markets based in Singapore. “But when structural factors remain in favour, and yen weakness continues, it is likely to be a more bullish signal rather than fuelling any concerns of Japanese stocks being overbought.”
The broader Topix index slipped 0.1 per cent. While it has also been in an uptrend, it remains about 6 per cent below the record it set more than three decades ago before Japan’s asset-price bubble burst. Goldman Sachs raised its forecast for the gauge to 2,900 from 2,650 over the next 12 months to factor in strong earnings growth and valuation expansion. The new target represents a 7.2 per cent gain from Monday close.
The Nikkei reclaimed its 1989 peak last month as investors from around the world piled into Japan’s biggest companies on improving shareholder returns, the weaker yen and booming corporate profits.
Warren Buffett’s endorsement of Japanese trading houses last year boosted confidence in the nation’s market, and concerns over a slowdown in China prompted many funds to switch into Japan.
Moves in the Nikkei had been subdued after it reached the milestone on Feb 22, as investors took profits and some analysts voiced surprise at the speed of the rally. Yet downside was limited as investors came in to buy on dips.
There are some concerns the stock market may be overheating.
“While 40,000 yen for the Nikkei 225 is a passing point, the pace is too fast and the level is reached a little too early for the economy and companies’ actual performance to keep up with,” said Ayako Sera, market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. “The growth of the economy is a long-distance marathon, and the stock market has run so rapidly that it might lose its breath soon.”
Still, many foreign investors remain bullish on Japanese stocks. BlackRock, the world’s biggest asset manager, and Amundi Asset Management, Europe’s largest money manager, expect earnings growth and changes in corporate governance will keep the strength going.
Companies are being encouraged by the Tokyo Stock Exchange to publish reports on their plans to boost equity valuations. Some have announced share buybacks and dividend hikes. Management buyouts are on the rise and activist investors are also stepping up their campaigns.
Data released on Monday showed business sentiment is improving. Japan’s capital spending on goods excluding software jumped in the final quarter of 2023. The nation’s government, meanwhile, is considering calling an official end to deflation, Kyodo reported over the weekend.
“This is not a groundless frenzy,” said Masahiro Yamaguchi, a senior market analyst at SMBC Trust & Banking, citing the healthy economic and corporate backdrop in both Japan and the US. BLOOMBERG
