Japan: Japan's Nikkei 225 Index closed higher today, supported by strong earnings forecasts announced by Advantest, which boosted shares of companies linked to the chip industry, while bank stocks weighed on the broader TOPIX Index.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Nikkei rose 0.71% to close at 61,867.43 points, while the TOPIX fell 0.54% to 3,952.5 points. Advantest shares jumped 10.85% after the company raised its annual operating profit forecast by 35% on Wednesday, driven by growing demand for its chip-testing equipment amid a surge in artificial intelligence spending.