Japan's Nikkei ends lower amid election jitters
Updates at 0600 GMT
TOKYO, Oct 22 (Reuters) -Japan's Nikkei share average closed lower on Tuesday amid concerns the ruling party may lose its lower house majority in the coming election, while Wall Street's weak finish overnight also weighed on market sentiment.
The Nikkei .N225 fell 1.39% to 38,411.96, while the broader Topix .TOPX slid 1.06% to 2,651.47.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 closed lower on Monday, retreating from Friday's record high closes and six straight weekly gains as Treasury yields rose and investors wary of high valuations awaited earnings from major companies. .N
Japan's local media reported that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito may lose its majority in the lower house in the Oct. 27 election.
A report last week said the LDP may not reach the 233 seats it needs for an outright majority in the 465-seat chamber.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba dissolved the lower house of parliament on Oct. 9, setting up the snap election.
"The market does not like turmoil or uncertainties. The LDP may need to find another party to maintain the majority in the lower house, which means it may have to alter some of its policies," said Shigetoshi Kamada, general manager of the research department at Tachibana Securities.
"The Nikkei tended to be on the upward trend ahead of a nationwide election, but this time it's the opposite. So, investors needed to draw a scenario from scratch."
Uniqlo-brand owner Fast Retailing 9983.T fell 3.18% to drag the Nikkei the most. Chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron 8035.T fell 3.08% and chip-testing equipment maker Advantest 6857.T slipped 2.7%.
Reporting by Junko Fujita; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
