TOKYO: Japanese shares fell to a one-month low on Thursday weighed by concerns about fresh coronavirus lockdowns in Europe, although companies issuing bullish forecasts during earnings season limited losses.

The Nikkei 225 Index ended down 0.37% to 23,331.94. The Nikkei touched its lowest level since Oct. 2 but then pared its losses. The broader Topix fell 0.01% to 1,610.93.

The underperformers among the Topix 30 were Central Japan Railway Co and East Japan Railway Co, which fell 2.4% each.

However, declines in stocks were limited by an improving earnings outlook and as Japan’s coronavirus infections were much smaller than those in Europe.

The stocks that gained the most among the top 30 core Topix names were consumer electronics maker Sony Corp up 6.69%, followed by industrial conglomerate Hitachi Ltd gaining 4.29%.

Both Sony and Hitachi raised their earnings forecasts, which suggests Japanese companies are likely to weather another dip in global economic activity, analysts said. Stocks showed little reaction to the Bank of Japan’s decision to keep its policy on hold earlier on Thursday.

There were 78 advancers on the Nikkei index against 140 decliners. The volume of shares traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s main board was 0.87 billion, compared to the average of 1.05 billion in the past 30 days.—Reuters