Japan Stocks Decline to Lowest Levels in a Month

Japanese stocks fell to their lowest levels in a month today, Thursday, under the weight of fears about new closures to combat the Coronavirus in Europe, but the optimistic expectations of companies during the results season limited the losses.

The benchmark Nikkei index closed 0.37% at 23,331.94 points. The Nikkei touched its lowest level since Oct.2, but later recovered losses. The broader Topix index fell 0.01% to 1610.93 points.

France and Germany, the two largest European economies, have had to re-impose public closures to contain a second wave of infections with the Coronavirus.

Some investors are hesitant to buy shares due to the uncertainty surrounding the November 3 elections in the United States.

The weakest performance on the Topix 30 index was the shares of Central Japan Railway and East Japan Railway, each declining 2.4%.

But the improved expectations for corporate results limited the declines in stocks, as well as the very low level of Coronavirus cases in Japan compared to Europe.