TOKYO – Tokyo stocks opened lower today, extending falls on Wall Street, as concerns over an increase in virus infections offset optimism about Covid-19 vaccines.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 0.34%, or 87.20 points, at 25,640.94 in early trade, while the broader Topix index slipped 0.13%, or 2.24 points, to 1,718.41.
“Japanese shares are seen dominated by sell orders as investors are disheartened by a rise in the number of new infections at home and abroad,” said Mizuho Securities.
The dollar fetched ¥103.91 in early Asian trade, against ¥103.85 in New York late yesterday.
In Tokyo, airlines are among the losers, with Japan Airlines dropping 2.18% to ¥1,933 and ANA Holdings trading down 1.71% at ¥2,525.
Among others, Sony was down 0.67% at ¥9,175 and Uniqlo casual wear operator Fast Retailing was down 0.62% at ¥84,670.
Panasonic was up 0.51% at ¥1,074.5 after the firm said it has signed a partnership with two Norwegian firms to develop a “green battery” business targeting the European market, including for electric cars.
On Wall Street, the Dow ended down 1.2% at 29,438.42. – AFP, November 19, 2020
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