Japan's Nikkei Index Down 9% In 2022

The benchmark Nikkei stock index finished the year down 9.4% on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, its first yearly fall in four years, as Russia's war in Ukraine and fears over a potential global recession as the result of monetary tightening by central banks offset the impact of corporate earnings with the yen's historic fall, Kyodo News reported.

Photo Insert: On the final trading day of the year, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 0.83 points, or zero percent, from Thursday at 26,094.50.

On the final trading day of the year, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 0.83 points, or zero percent, from Thursday at 26,094.50. The broader Topix index finished 3.56 points, or 0.19 percent, lower at 1,891.71.

On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by marine transportation, bank and retail issues. Mining, oil and coal product, and food shares were among the worst performers.

The yen firmed to the lower 132 level against the US dollar in Tokyo amid a decline in long-term US Treasury yields. The yen had weakened to near the 152 level in October, losing about 38 yen in value since its strongest level in January, its biggest yearly drop in 40 years.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 132.13-15 yen compared with 132.98-133.08 yen in New York and 133.78-80 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The euro was quoted at $1.0651-0652 and 140.74-78 yen against $1.0656-0666 and 141.74-84 yen in New York and $1.0623-0625 and 142.12-16 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond fell 0.035 percentage points from Thursday's close to 0.410 percent.

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