Japan Nikkei climbs to fresh 4-month high

Headline indices of the Japan share market advanced to fresh four month-high on Friday, 13 September 2019, as the European Central Bank's (ECB) easing measures, hints of progress in the U.S.-China trade dispute, and increasing expectations of the U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut underpinned the market mood. A cheaper yen against the dollar was also supporting the market. Around late afternoon, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average advanced 213.46 points, or 1%, to 21,973.07, while the broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange advanced 11.90 points, or 0.74%, at 1,607.

Total 30 sectors out of 33 sectors of Topix index inclined, with Real Estate, Textiles & Apparels, Pulp & Paper, Land Transportation, and Electric Power & Gas issues being notable gainers, while Securities & Commodities Futures and Warehousing & Harbor Transportation Services issues were notable losers.

The Tokyo market commenced trading with firm footing, thanks to the European Central Bank cut interest rates and began a new stimulus programme and renewed optimism over a potential breakthrough in the US-China trade war.

China and the United States both announced concessions this week ahead of upcoming trade talks in early October. U.S. President Donald Trump later told reporters he may consider an interim trade deal with Beijing.

Meanwhile, the ECB on Thursday cut its Europe's benchmark interest rate further into negative territory by 10 basis points and launched a new bond buying program. The central bank also said it will buy approx. $22 billion worth of assets for as long as needed in a bid to revive flagging eurozone growth.

Shipping firms were higher, with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines up 0.5% and Nippon Yusen up 0.8%. Pharmaceuticals were also higher, with Takeda higher by 0.5% and Daiichi Sankyo climb 0.5%.

Panasonic added 0.1% after reports that Toyota Motor started using batteries that Panasonic designed for Tesla in some of its plug-in hybrids sold in China. Toyota added 0.5%.

Elsewhere, Yahoo Japan jumped 4.6% after the internet company said it would take over online fashion retailer Zozo for 400 billion yen on Thursday, seeking to compete better against the likes of Amazon.com. Zozo retreated 1.2%, paring some of its huge gains of 13.4% made the previous day.

CURRENCY NEWS: The Japanese yen depreciated against greenback on Friday, as demand for safe haven currency reduced on eased worries over the global economy. The Japanese yen, often seen as a safe-haven currency in times of turmoil, traded at 108.15 after weakening from levels below 108.0 in the previous session.

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