Japan Nikkei gains on buybacks

Headline indices of the Japan share market closed higher on Wednesday, 14 November 2018, as investors chased for bargain buying after heavy losses previous session. Meanwhile, buying pressure amplified on reports of US-China trade talks and Britain's announcement of a draft exit deal with the European Union. Market gains were, however, limited amid downbeat Japanese GDP data and a stronger yen. Most of TSE33 issues inclined, with shares of air transportation, electric power and gas and metal product-linked issues being notable gainers, while oil and coal product, mining, and services issues were notable losers. At closing bell, the benchmark Nikkei 225 Index advanced 35.96 points or 0.16% to 21,846.48, while the broader Topix index was up 0.17% or 2.81 points at 1,641.26.

Optimism over the resumption of high-level U.S.-China trade talks as well as news that the UK and the European Union have agreed on a draft Brexit divorce deal boosted sentiment.

Shares of tech players rebounded after the sharp losses in the previous session. TDK Corp. and Advantest gained almost 3% each, while Tokyo Electron and Alps Electric rose more than 1% each.

In economic news, Japan's gross domestic product slipped a seasonally adjusted 0.3% on quarter in the third quarter of 2018, according to the Cabinet Office preliminary report released on Wednesday. On an annualized seasonally adjusted basis, GDP tumbled 1.2% on year following the 3% jump in the three months prior.

In currency news front, the U.S. dollar was trading in the upper 113 yen-range on Wednesday, largely unchanged from its levels in New York overnight. The dollar was quoted at 113.79-80 yen compared with 113.77-87 yen in New York and 114.06-07 yen on Tuesday in Tokyo. The euro, meanwhile, fetched 128.71-72 yen against 128.42-52 yen in New York and 128.17-21 yen late Tuesday trade in Tokyo.

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