The Nikkei 225 index opened higher on July 27 morning session after Middle East tensions eased, initially surging over 600 points before semiconductor-related stocks weakened and trimmed gains. The early session close at 10:30 AM local time showed the Nikkei up 0.24% or 152.86 points to 64,764.01 points, while the TOPIX index gained 0.97% or 38.71 points to 4,050.02 points. Semiconductor stocks including Kioxia, Tokyo Electron, and Advantest declined, while rare earth concept stocks and robotics manufacturers posted gains amid reduced regional geopolitical concerns.
Japanese Stock Indices Post Mixed Morning Performance
The Nikkei 225 index rose 152.86 points or 0.24% to close the early session at 64,764.01 points. The TOPIX index advanced 38.71 points or 0.97% to 4,050.02 points. Among Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime market stocks, 1,314 issues advanced, 224 declined, and 14 remained unchanged. Trading volume reached 4.7038 trillion yen. Of the 33 sector categories, 28 posted gains, with air transportation leading, followed by other products, services, and rubber products.
Kioxia and Semiconductor Stocks Decline in Early Trading
NAND Flash manufacturer Kioxia plunged 5.07% in the morning session. Chip equipment giant Tokyo Electron (TEL) fell 0.45%, while test equipment maker Advantest dropped 2.33%. MLCC leader Murata Manufacturing declined 2.47%, and MLCC producer Taiyo Yuden decreased 1.36%. The semiconductor sector weakness contributed to the Nikkei 225 paring its earlier gains of over 600 points.
Rare Earth Stocks Rise Following JAMSTEC Research Results
Japanese rare earth concept stocks advanced during the morning session. Modec gained 0.62%, Pacific Metals rose 1.64%, and IDEA increased 0.87%. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) published analysis results of rare earth mud recovered from waters near Minami-Torishima, confirming the seabed mud contains abundant medium and heavy rare earth elements including yttrium and dysprosium.
Robotics Manufacturers Gain on Record Order Data
Japanese robot manufacturers posted gains in early trading. Yaskawa Electric surged 2.66%, and Fanuc advanced 1.95%. Automation demand and AI-related investment drove Japanese robot order volume, production, and shipments to new historical highs during the April-June 2026 quarter.
Yen Appreciates Against US Dollar
The yen appreciated 0.20% against the US dollar to 163.52 yen per dollar as of the morning session close at 10:30 AM local time. The yen had depreciated 0.02% on Friday, marking the second consecutive trading day of decline before the July 27 appreciation.
FAQ
What was the Nikkei 225 performance on July 27 morning session?
The Nikkei 225 closed the early session on July 27 up 0.24% or 152.86 points at 64,764.01 points. The index initially surged over 600 points after Middle East tensions eased, but pared gains as semiconductor-related stocks weakened.
Which sectors led gains in the Japanese stock market on July 27?
Of the 33 sector categories, 28 posted gains, with air transportation leading, followed by other products, services, and rubber products. Rare earth concept stocks and robotics manufacturers also advanced, while semiconductor stocks declined.
