Tokyo stocks close mixed after BOJ opts to buy only Topix-linked ETFs

16:27, March 19, 2021

• Tokyo stocks close slightly higher on Biden's vaccination pledge, consumer sentiment

  TOKYO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed slightly higher Monday as U.S. President Joe Bidens vaccination pledge raised hopes for the recovery of the pandemic-hit economy, along with data showing that U.S. consumer sentiment had improved in March.The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 49.14 points, or 0.17 percent, from Friday at 29,766.97.The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, finished 17.67 points, or 0.91 percent, higher at 1,968.73.Gainers were led by marine transportation, air transportation and bank-oriented issues.

• Tokyo stocks close almost flat as investors eye Fed meeting

  TOKYO, March 17 (Xinhua) - Tokyo stocks closed essentially flat Wednesday as investors were in a circumspect mood ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting where indications may be given about the central banks moves to higher rates earlier than expected.The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 6.76 points, or 0.02 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 29,914.33.The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 2.53 points, or 0.13 percent, to finish at 1,984.03.Local brokers said that while sentiment towards Japanese issues remained reasonably positive due to hopes for the global economic recovery as vaccination campaigns gather steam worldwide, recent increases in U.S. bond yields have sparked concerns about the rising costs of borrowing for corporations, which could further impact risk appetite towards equities.In a day of cautious trading, investors focus shifted to the outcome of a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting later in the day amid speculation the central bank may signal that its rates may hike as the global economy continues to show signs of recovery from the downside effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with vaccine rollouts expanding daily."Market participants are speculating Fed officials may signal a rate hike in 2023 amid growing signs of global economic recovery from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and progress in COVID-19 vaccine rollouts," Koichi Fujishiro, a senior economist at the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, was quoted as saying."If the Fed signals such a shift, U.S. yields would rise and negatively affect stock markets," Fujishiro added.Investors are also eyeing with interest the outcome of a Bank of Japan (BOJ) meeting later in the week to see if the BOJ decides to dispense with its current target for exchange-traded fund (ETFs) purchases."If there is any disappointment in reaction to the BOJ, it wont last long," Takashi Hiroki, chief str...

• Tokyo stocks close higher as Fed stays pat on monetary policy

  TOKYO, March 18 (Xinhua) - Tokyo stocks closed higher Thursday as sentiment was lifted following the US Federal Reserve indicating it would maintain its monetary easing policy and keep its key interest rate near zero through 2023.The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 302.42 points, or 1.01 percent, to finish at 30,216.75, marking its highest closing level since Feb. 18.The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, climbed 24.48 points, or 1.23 percent, from Wednesday at 2,008.51.This was the highest close for the Topix since April 1991.Bank, securities house and rubber-linked issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.