TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share average declined on Monday after two straight sessions of gains, as exporters’ stocks, including chip-related and auto firms, were pressured by a stronger yen.

The Nikkei fell 0.66% to close at 38,110.22, although recovering from a decline of 1.4% earlier in the session.

“In addition to the yen’s strength, there are some factors that make investors hesitant to make positive bets. In a very short term, that’s Nvidia’s outlook this week,” said Shuutarou Yasuda, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory.

Nvidia’s blistering run has powered equity markets throughout 2024, and its earnings and forecast later this week could be a key inflection point for market sentiment heading into what is historically a volatile time of the year.

The yen rose to a three-week high against the dollar, as US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish shift contrasted sharply with Bank of Japan chief Kazuo Ueda’s steadfastly hawkish tone.

“Fed rate cuts are positive for stocks but those are already priced in, while the BOJ is trying to raise rates from now. The gap in their policies weighs on the stock market,” Yasuda said.

Ueda on Friday reaffirmed his resolve to raise rates if inflation stayed on course to sustainably hit the 2% target, suggesting recent market volatility would not derail the long-term rate hike plan.