AI stocks pep Japanese stock market up
(17:13, 17 Aug 2026)
The Nikkei 225 rose by 0.74% to close at 69,220 on Monday, continuing last week's gains despite Japan's economy growing less than expected in the second quarter. Weak domestic demand affected growth, but demand for AI products helped companies in the semiconductor supply chain. Chip and AI-related stocks like Kioxia Holdings, Fujikura, Advantest, Furukawa Electric, and Tokyo Electron saw increases, while financial and consumer stocks mostly declined. Japanese shares advanced even as JGB yields reached new 30-year highs amid expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike. Nvidia is considering a $3 billion investment in SB Energy for a data center project in Ohio for OpenAI.