Japan's Nikkei rose on Friday as reports that Washington is considering a delay in tariffs on Mexican imports eased wider concerns about weakening global trade. The Nikkei share average ended 0.5% higher at20,884.71. For the week, the index rose 1.4%. The broader Topix rose 0.5% to 1,532.39. Investor sentiment recovered slightly after Mexican and US officials held a second day of talks on trade and migration on Thursday, amid reports President Donald Trump might delay the imposition of tariffs that are due on Monday.
But trading was thin as most investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of a US jobs report that will probably do little to dial back market expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut rates this year. Turnover on the mainboard was 1.6 trillion yen, the lowest level in nearly two weeks.
"The market has almost priced in expectations that the Fed will cut rates. On a trade front, we still don't know the outcome for the US-Mexican tariff deal, but positive reports support the mood," said Isao Kubo, equity strategist at Nissay Asset Management. Cyclical stocks, such as those in chip-related sectors, were in demand, with Advantest Corp up 5.1% and Tokyo Electron rising 2.8%. Other exporters also gained, with TDK Corp up 2.3% and Fanuc Corp adding 1%.
Hitachi High-Technologies jumped nearly 15% to a daily limit-high of 5,450 yen after the Nikkei business newspaper reported that parent Hitachi Ltd is considering turning the company into a 100% subsidiary. Hitachi Ltd said it is considering various options to raise the company's value but nothing has been decided at this point.
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