Tokyo stocks close lower on virus fears

News24
26 Oct 2020, 13:42 GMT+10

Tokyo stocks closed lower on Monday over worries about coronavirus cases spiking in Europe and more countries imposing new measures against the pandemic.

The Nikkei 225 edged down 0.09%, or 22.25 points, to end at 23,494.34, while the broader Topix index fell 0.39%, or 6.34 points, to 1 618.98.

"Trading started with stronger buying sentiment, but the market was weighed down by the spread of coronavirus infections in Europe and the US," Okasan Online Securities said in a commentary, noting Spain's state of emergency.

Spain has announced overnight curfews across the entire country except the Canary Islands, while France set a daily record of more than 50 000 Covid-19 cases.

Italy has ordered the closure of theatres, cinemas and gyms and said bars and restaurants must shut early.

The dollar fetched ¥104.88 in Asian trade, against ¥104.69 in New York late on Friday.

In Tokyo trading, ANA Holdings lost 1.10% to ¥2 365 after reports said Japan's largest airline will ask Toyota to temporarily employ some of its workers as part of its restructuring plans.

Other reports said it has signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase sustainable aviation fuel from the Singapore refinery of Finland-based Neste.

Its rival Japan Airlines was flat at ¥2 036.

SoftBank Group dropped 2.73% to ¥6 888 while Uniqlo casual wear operator Fast Retailing rose 1.36% to ¥73 650.

Toyota advanced 0.24% to ¥6 990 while Honda was up 0.19% to ¥2 585.

Source: News24

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Johannesburg Life.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

Native leaders, activists oppose detention site on Florida wetlands

EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...

Beijing crowds cheer AI-powered robots over real soccer players

BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...

COVID-19 source still unknown, says WHO panel

]LONDON, U.K.: A World Health Organization (WHO) expert group investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic released its final...

Fox faces $787 million lawsuit from Newsom over Trump phone call

DOVER, Delaware: California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken legal aim at Fox News, accusing the network of deliberately distorting...

DeepSeek faces app store ban in Germany over data transfer fears

FRANKFURT, Germany: Germany has become the latest country to challenge Chinese AI firm DeepSeek over its data practices, as pressure...

Canadian option offered to Harvard graduates facing US visa issues

TORONTO, Canada: Harvard University and the University of Toronto have created a backup plan to ensure Harvard graduate students continue...

Africa

Section

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visits Mauritius, calls on PM Ramgoolan

New Delhi [India], July 2 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Republic of Mauritius on Tuesday where he called on Mauritus...

PM Modi's upcoming Ghana visit to be first by an Indian Prime Minister in three decades: Envoy Manish Gupta

Accra (Ghana) [India], July 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Ghana will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister...

"It's a moment I'll cherish and remember for a very long time": Proteas batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius on his maiden test hundred

Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], July 2 (ANI): After a majestic century in the first test against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, South Africa batter Lhuan-dre...