"Asian Stocks" Japanese stocks fluctuated and fell 84 points or 0.2% in the half-day, Advantest surged nearly 7% after earnings

The Japanese stock market fluctuated in the morning session, with semiconductor-related stocks experiencing profit-taking, but Advantest's rise supported the market. The Nikkei average index opened down 57 points, initially falling 368 points to a low of 52,990 points before rebounding, reaching a high of 53,742 points with an increase of 383 points, and closing down 84 points or 0.2% at 53,274 points.

Advantest (6857.JP) reported a 64% year-on-year increase in quarterly operating profit and raised its full-year operating profit forecast by 21%, with its stock price rising by 6.7%. Shin-Etsu Chemical (4063.JP) rebounded by 1.5% in the morning session after falling over 10% yesterday (28th). In other artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks, SoftBank (9984.JP) fell by 2.3%, Discus (6146.JP) and Tokyo Electron (8035.JP) dropped by 4.9% and 5.5%, respectively, while Raytech (6920.JP) fell by 7% and Kioxia (285A.JP) decreased by 0.3%. Wire stocks such as Furukawa Electric (5801.JP) and Fujikura (5803.JP) fell by 4.4% and 4.5%, respectively, while Sumitomo Electric (5802.JP) dropped by 2.5%.

Heavy industry stocks Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.JP), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (7012.JP), and IHI (7013.JP) rose by 2.7% to 3.4%. Automotive stocks Toyota (7203.JP) and Honda (7267.JP) increased by 2.4% and 1.5%, respectively. In other stocks, Fast Retailing (9983.JP) rose by 0.2%, while Nintendo (7974.JP) and Isetan Mitsukoshi (3099.JP) fell by 2% and 2.3%, respectively. Banking stocks Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.JP) fell by 0.7%, while electric power stock Tokyo Electric Power Company (9501.JP) rose by 1.7%. Rare earth concept stock Mitsui Ocean Development (6269.JP) fell by 3%.

The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Japanese yen is 153.11