Nikkei rises for the second week in a row as banking and shipping stocks rise

Japan’s Nikkei index posted a second consecutive weekly gain, buoyed by a Thursday rally on Wall Street, fueled by US data reinforcing the notion of a soft landing for the world’s largest economy.

Closing at 33,169.05 points on Friday, the Nikkei inched up by 0.09 percent, marking a 0.6 percent rise for the week. The index experienced a 0.71 percent surge earlier on Friday, driven by gains in chip companies mirroring their American counterparts. However, these gains subsided.

Shares of Tokyo Electron, a chip manufacturing equipment provider, rose 0.83 percent at the close, having reached a 2 percent increase. Conversely, Advantest, specializing in chip testing equipment, fell 1.07 percent by the close after initially recording a 1.9 percent gain.

Bank stocks rebounded from earlier losses incurred due to the Bank of Japan’s decision to maintain stimulus measures that reduce returns. The banking index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 2.44 percent, ranking second among 33 sector indices.

Shipping companies led the gainers, with shares surging 3.26 percent in response to developments in the Red Sea.

The broader Topix index saw a 0.45 percent rise.

In economic indicators, data revealed that Japan’s core consumer price index experienced its slowest pace of growth in over a year, signaling a easing of cost pressures.

Investors also awaited the US November Core Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index report, the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation, slated for release later on Friday.