[TOKYO] Japan’s Nikkei share average slumped on Monday (Apr 7) to the lowest level in 1½ years, with the index of Japanese bank stocks diving more than 17 per cent at one point, as concerns over a tariff-induced global recession continued to rip through markets.
The Nikkei dropped as much as 8.8 per cent to hit 30,792.74 for the first time since October 2023, before ending the day down 7.8 per cent at 31,136.58. All 225 component stocks of the index finished in the red.
The broader Topix sank as much as 9.6 per cent before closing down 7.8 per cent.
Speaking on Sunday aboard Air Force One, US President Donald Trump characterised his latest round of sweeping tariffs as “medicine”, and signalled a willingness to accept the market rout.
Since Trump revealed the more-aggressive-then-anticipated levies last week, the Nikkei has tumbled 11.6 per cent and the US S&P 500 has dropped 10.6 per cent.
“It’s extremely difficult to judge how far this stock market correction will run (but) as long as there exists a lack of clarity around tariffs and each country’s response, the market will remain heavy,” said Maki Sawada, an equities strategist at Nomura Securities.
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At the same time, “the market currently is only pricing in bad news”, so if there are signs of flexibility on trade policies or the announcement of economic support measures, “it’s highly likely we’ll see a bottom form in the market,” Sawada said.
A Topix index of banking shares slumped as much as 17.3 per cent before recovering slightly to finish the day down 10 per cent.
Banks have borne the brunt of the sell-off in Japanese equities, losing nearly a quarter of their combined value over the past three sessions, as recession worries compressed bond yields and push out bets for further interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan.
“This is a sell-anything-that-has-made-money move,” with banks at the forefront of that, said Rikki Malik, a portfolio manager at Springboard Capital.
However, “I think we are close to capitulation and will see a bounce very soon.”
Nomura Holdings was the worst-performing lender on Monday, with a 13.2 per cent slump. Shares of Mizuho Financial Group dropped 10.7 per cent and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group slid 10.4 per cent.
Several chip-sector stocks also saw heavy selling, with chipmaker Renesas dropping 16.7 per cent and silicon manufacturer Sumco sliding 15.8 per cent. Heavyweight chip-testing equipment manufacturer Advantest sank 11 per cent. REUTERS
