The Japanese "Nikkei" index fell on Thursday after two consecutive sessions of gains, pressured by the decline in semiconductor stocks which followed the trend of their American counterparts. Investors remained cautious ahead of earnings announcements from major companies, including Nidec in motor manufacturing and Disco Corp in semiconductor equipment manufacturing, set to release results after the market close. The "Nikkei" dropped 1.24% to close at 32,490.52 points, near its lowest level recorded during the day's trading.
The index had increased by 1.6% over the previous two sessions, bringing it closer to a key psychological level of 33,000 points. The "Nikkei" closed at its highest level in 33 years on July 3, registering 33,753.33 points, before retreating about 5.8% by July 12. The broader "Topix" index also closed lower on Thursday, down 0.79% at 2,260.90 points.
The decline in Advantest shares, which manufactures testing equipment for semiconductors, exerted the largest pressure on the "Nikkei," contributing to a drop of 62 points with a 4.18% decline. Additionally, shares of Tokyo Electron, which produces semiconductor manufacturing equipment, fell 1.33%, erasing another 28 points from the index. Renesas Electronics, a chip manufacturer, saw its shares decrease by 3.1%.
