Japan shares rise as IT sector shines on bright semiconductor outlook

  • Reuters
  • Stock Market News
Japan shares rise as IT sector shines on bright semiconductor outlook
Credit: © Reuters.

By Stanley White

TOKYO, April 1 (Reuters) - Japanese stocks rose on Thursday, as investors snapped up shares of semiconductor-related companies on the first day of the new fiscal year on hopes for robust corporate earnings.

The Nikkei 225 Index .N225 ended up 0.72% at 29,388.87, while the broader Topix .TOPX rose 0.19% to 1,957.64.

The technology sector led the advance after U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology Inc MU.O forecast third-quarter revenue above analysts' forecasts. happening with Japanese tech shares is a reflection of what is happening in the United States," said Takashi Hiroki, chief strategist at Monex Securities.

Sentiment in Japan brightened after the Bank of Japan's tankan survey showed business sentiment has returned to where it was before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. in a new fiscal year and a lot of institutional investor money is entering the market. Companies will start releasing earnings at the end of the month, and I expect a lot of forecast upgrades," Hiroki said.

Tokyo Electron Ltd 8035.T rose 4.68%, at one point hitting an all-time high, as Micron's bullish sales forecasts and a gain in U.S. technology shares boosted Japanese semiconductor-related stocks.

In addition, Micron and Western Digital Corp WDC.O are individually exploring a potential deal for Kioxia Holdings Corp that could value the unlisted Japanese semiconductor firm at around $30 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. are flocking to semiconductor makers because a global shortage of chips required for next-generation electric cars and advanced smartphones suggests demand will remain robust for a long time, analysts said. manufacturing equipment makers Advantest Corp 6857.T gained 4.13%, while Screen Holdings Co Ltd 7735.T rose 6.06%.

U.S. President Joe Biden's $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan and a weakening yen also boosted sentiment for Japanese stocks, analysts said. underperformers among the Topix 30 were Mitsui & Co Ltd 8031.T , down 2.41%, followed by Recruit Holdings Co Ltd 6098.T , off 2.26%.

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