The Nikkei Stock Average rebounded on the 12th, rising 324 yen from the previous day to close at 62,742 yen. The index surged as high as 63,218 yen, up 800 yen at one point, with three stocks - SoftBank Group Corp. <9984>, Fujikura Ltd. <5803>, and IBIDEN CO.,LTD. <4062> - contributing over 400 yen to the Nikkei's gain.

This week marks the peak of earnings announcements, with "earnings plays" centering on AI and semiconductor-related stocks entering full swing. First, IBIDEN's earnings released after trading ended on the 11th showed a consolidated operating profit forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2027 of 90 billion yen, up 45.1% from the previous year, marking the highest profit outlook in four periods. The forecast exceeded market expectations of around 88 billion yen, and the stock price hit a record high. Meanwhile, JX Advanced Metals Corporation <5016>, which also announced earnings on the 11th, saw its stock plunge amid concerns over the issuance of a euro-yen convertible bond, highlighting contrasting fortunes.

Next, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. <5801> announced at 2:00 p.m. today that its consolidated operating profit for the fiscal year ending March 2027 would be 95 billion yen, up 48.8% from the previous year. Major securities firms had forecast the current year's profit at around 85 billion yen as of early April, but the results significantly exceeded those expectations. The stock surged to the daily limit up, boosted by a 10-for-1 stock split and a substantial dividend increase for the current fiscal year. Optical fiber is said to be "experiencing global supply-demand tightening" for data center applications, according to market sources. Among major cable manufacturers, Fujikura and SWCC Corporation <5805> are scheduled to announce earnings on the 14th, and it appears that advance buying entered both stocks today on the back of Furukawa Electric's strong results.

Tomorrow, SoftBank Group Corp will announce its earnings. Among semiconductor-related companies, SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd. <7735> is also scheduled to report. On the 15th, Kioxia Holdings Corporation <285A>, which has drawn intense market attention following its stock surge, will announce its earnings. Earnings announcements for March fiscal year-end companies will be largely completed by the 15th. Earnings plays, where trading concentrates around earnings releases, are now in full swing, and attention is focused on whether the Nikkei Stock Average will renew its all-time high on the back of strong earnings announcements from AI and semiconductor-related stocks.

On the schedule front, the U.S. April Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be released tonight. Tomorrow, the April Economy Watchers Survey will be published domestically. OBAYASHI CORPORATION <1802>, NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION <5401>, Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. <8801>, and Mitsui Kinzoku Company, Limited <5706>, among others, will announce earnings. Tomorrow evening, the U.S. April Producer Price Index (PPI) will be released. Cisco Systems is scheduled to announce its earnings.

Source: MINKABU PRESS

*Translated by generative AI. Click here for the original article.