Japan's Nikkei rises, ekes out weekly gain on Fed bets, domestic growth signs

Japan's Nikkei share gauge climbed on Friday, eking out a weekly gain, as a paring back of rate hike bets in the United States and positive ‌economic signs ⁠at home ⁠boosted sentiment.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 advanced 1.47% to close at 69,744.07, recovering from a 1.6% slide earlier in the session. The gauge gained 0.5% on the week. The broader Topix gained 1.24% to 4,064.60, marking its fifth straight session of gains, its longest such run since October 2025. A softer-than-expected ⁠U.S. payrolls ‌report overnight prompted traders to cut near-term bets for a rate increase by the Federal Reserve. Market ⁠sentiment was also supported by data in Japan on Friday showing improving services activity.

"Following the ​release of the employment figures, expectations of an early interest rate hike by the Fed have receded, leading to firm performance in cyclical and consumer-related shares," said Maki Sawada, an equities strategist at Nomura Securities. A rebound in the ‌yen and a decline in oil prices also helped certain sectors, Sawada added.


Breadth was overwhelmingly positive, ​with 188 ​advancers on the ⁠Nikkei 225 against 36 decliners and one unchanged. The largest percentage gainers were Rohm, up 14.18% and marking its highest close ​since May 2001, and Sumco, up 11.30% and setting its highest close since September 2007. The largest losers were J. Front Retailing, down 3.91%, followed by Otsuka Holdings, falling 2.54%, and Resonac Holdings, losing 2.23%.