Nikkei average tops 69,000 for first time, surges 3,297 points on US-Iran peace, second-largest gain on record

Nikkei average ends higher for third consecutive day, topping 69,000 for first time, with a gain of 3,297 points, the second-largest on record Following the agreement to end hostilities between the US and Iran, investor sentiment improved, leading to broad-based gains centered on AI and semiconductor-related stocks. The closing price was 69,317.50 yen, up 3,297.46 yen from the previous weekend, marking a record high.12

Bank of Japan sees policy rate hike to around 1%—unusual 8-member decision as Governor Ueda is hospitalized The monetary policy meeting begins on the 15th, and in light of reduced uncertainty due to the US-Iran agreement, additional rate hikes will be discussed to address upside risks to prices. Governor Ueda is absent due to hospitalization for an infectious disease, and the remaining eight policy board members will vote. If realized, this would be the first interest rate level in 31 years.3456

Survey: 40.7% of companies say yen depreciation is negative for management, desirable exchange rate around 136 yen According to a survey by Tokyo Shoko Research, over 40% of respondents said the current rate of around 160 yen to the dollar is negative for management. The average desirable rate was 136.8 yen, highlighting a clear gap with the current situation. The dollar-yen rate is moving narrowly around 160 yen ahead of central bank events in Japan and the US.78

Park24 revises full-year net profit upward by 69%, raising record profit forecast to 44 billion yen Due to strong performance in its parking lot business, cumulative net profit for the second quarter jumped sixfold year-on-year, leading to a significant upward revision of the full-year forecast from 26 billion yen to 44 billion yen. This represents an approximately 2.8-fold increase in profit compared to the previous fiscal year.9