Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

03153

1346

07515

1570

07262

1329

Economist Yoshimasa Maruyama predicts the Nikkei Index could reach 65,000 points by year-end, driven by market momentum and stable governance. He anticipates further growth to 73,000 by 2027 and 80,000 by 2028, but warns that escalating Middle East conflicts could negatively impact asset prices.

CoinLive

CSOP NIKKEI225

FI2 CSOP NIKKEI

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

FL2 CSOP NIKKEI

BlackRock, Inc.

STOCKS | Nikkei Index Could Reach 65,000 by Year-End, Economist Predicts

On May 19, 2026, the economic calendar in Asia includes New Zealand data and Japan's 'flash' GDP reading for Q1, which was affected by geopolitical events. Additionally, the RBA will release minutes, and Assistant Governor Hunter will speak at 9:25 AM local time.

- New Zealand's data has opened the calendar.  
- Japan's preliminary GDP data for the first quarter was released, affected by Trump's unsuccessful actions regarding Iran in March.  
- The Reserve Bank of Australia's minutes will be released, with Assistant Governor Hunter speaking at 9:25 AM local time.

Investinglive

BetaShares Holdings Pty Ltd.

State Street Corp.

Economic and event calendar in Asia, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Japan GDP, RBA minutes.

07709

1369

2525

Major Asia-Pacific stock markets showed mixed results, with Japan's Nikkei index reaching a record high of 63,799 before closing at 63,333. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.9%, with a year-to-date gain of 86%. SoftBank Group shares fell 3.5% despite exceeding profit expectations. SK Hynix's market cap nears USD 1 trillion, reflecting a significant rise in its stock price. Analysts noted a strong FOMO sentiment in AI-related stocks across Japan and South Korea. Other regional markets also experienced slight gains or losses, with Indonesia's market closed for a holiday.

AASTOCKS News

ISHRS MSCI S Korea Capped

XL2CSOPHYNIX

Asset Management One Co., Ltd.

Japan Agricultural Cooperatives Group

SoftBank Group Corp.

SoftBank

SSE Index

Shenzhen Index

Taiwan Semiconductor

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial

Samsung Electronics 

Walmart

Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway B

FTSE Straits Times Index

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Sponsored GDR

Nikkei Hits Record High; SoftBank Falls Over 3% After Results; S Korea Stocks YTD Up 86%; SK Hynix Mkt Cap Near USD1T

A member of the Bank of Japan's board, Ichirou Zou, has stated that food prices will be a crucial determinant of future inflation in the long term. He emphasized the significant role that food prices play in shaping inflationary trends, highlighting the importance of monitoring food price movements as a factor influencing the broader economic landscape.

Bank of Japan Board Member: Food Prices Key to Future Inflation

1475

IJPH

1578

1473

1568

The Nikkei 225 closed above 63,000 for the first time, marking a significant milestone amid market uncertainty. TOPIX companies are expected to achieve nearly 6% profit growth, fueled by demand for AI and gains in the banking sector. Additionally, Japanese investors sold foreign stocks in April due to concerns over inflation and energy costs.

iShares MSCI Japan GBP Hedged UCITS ETF (Acc)

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

ChinaAMC Nomura N225 ETF(QDII)

Lyxor Japan (TOPIX)(DR) UCITS ETF

Simplex Financial Holdings Co., Ltd.

Invesco MSCI Japan UCITS ETF

Pro Ultrshrt Yen

Nikkei closes above 63,000 as profits, AI demand lift stocks

Former Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda stated that Japan's recent foreign exchange intervention may have temporarily prevented the yen from falling below 160 per dollar, but its long-term effects are limited. Kuroda emphasized that lasting impact requires significant damage to speculators or a shift in market sentiment. He noted that the yen's downtrend is driven by rising oil import costs and interest rate differences between Japan and the U.S. Kuroda believes an equilibrium rate for the dollar/yen is around 120-130, while Japan's economy remains strong with inflation near the central bank's target.

Currencyshares JPY Trust

Pro Ultr Yen

Thomson Reuters

Ex-BOJ chief Kuroda sees yen intervention impact as short-lived

1571

Former Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda warned that ongoing conflict in Iran could lead to a shift in monetary policy. He indicated that the Bank of Japan might need to accelerate policy normalization and tighten monetary measures to combat inflation, highlighting the economic risks associated with prolonged geopolitical tensions.

Former BOJ Governor Kuroda: Iran War Could Force Policy Shift

9984

6981

The Nikkei 225 has reached a record high of 63,788, primarily driven by technology stocks like SoftBank Group and Murata Manufacturing. However, technical indicators suggest a potential near-term corrective pullback below the 64,145 resistance level, with a bearish "Head & Shoulders" pattern emerging. Momentum indicators indicate exhaustion in the recent bullish trend, raising the likelihood of a retracement towards support levels at 61,945 and lower. This analysis follows a previous report on the Nikkei's bullish reversal.

Market Pulse

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Murata Mfg Yen1k

Chart alert: Nikkei 225 bullish run is facing minor exhaustion below 64,145

1499

Japan's LDP Digital Headquarters discussed a next-generation finance proposal focusing on stablecoins and tokenization. Takuya Hirai emphasized AI and blockchain's role in automating finance and warned that the rise of dollar stablecoins could threaten Japan's economic security and monetary sovereignty. The LDP plans to foster public-private collaboration to enhance on-chain infrastructure development.

Japan's LDP Discusses Next-Gen Finance Proposal Amid Stablecoin Competition Concerns

Japan's 10-year government bond yield reached a 29-year high of 2.540% following a hawkish summary from the Bank of Japan's April policy meeting. Some policymakers indicated a need for imminent rate hikes due to inflationary risks, with three board members dissenting for a 1.0% increase. Market sentiment is bracing for early interest rate hikes, although uncertainties from the Middle East conflict may weaken the upcoming bond auction. The 30-year and 40-year yields also saw slight increases, reflecting the overall market trend.

- Japan's 10-year government bond yield reached a 29-year high of 2.540% amid a hawkish stance from the Bank of Japan's April policy meeting.  
- Policymakers indicated the need for quicker interest rate hikes if inflation risks increase, influencing market expectations for upcoming bond auctions.  
- The Ministry of Finance planned a bond auction later, with analysts predicting softer results due to uncertainties from the Middle East conflicts, although high yields could attract investors.

Fidelity

Okasan Securities Group Inc.

Bank of Japan

Japan's 10-year bond yield hits 29-year high after hawkish BOJ meeting summary

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.(1346.JP)