Global Markets | Japan’s Nikkei pulls back from record high as SoftBank Group falls

Japan’sNikkei share averageretreated on Friday from a record high set in the last session, asSoftBank Groupdeclined and renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities weighed on investor sentiment.

The Nikkei edged down 0.19% to 62,713.65. It jumped 5.6% on Thursday to close at a record high after ‌crossing the psychological level ⁠of ⁠63,000 for the first time.

The index rose 5.4% in the holiday-shortened week.

The broader ​Topix slipped 0.29% on Friday to 3,829.48. It rose 2.7% for the week.

“Compared with ​the previous session’s sharp gains, the decline in today’s market is marginal,” said Hitoshi Asaoka, chief strategist at Asset Management One.

Also weighing on the ​market was a rise in crude oil ⁠prices after the ‌United States and Iran exchanged fire and put ​a month-long Middle ​East ceasefire in doubt.

Technology investor SoftBank Group fell 4.56% ⁠to drag the Nikkei lower the most after the ​U.S.-listed shares of Arm Holdings tumbled overnight on smartphone market weakness ​and AI chip supply concerns.

Toyota Motor reversed early gains to fall 2.18% after the automaker forecast a 20% decline in profit for the current financial year on cost and supply uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict.

Sony Group ended 0.51% lower as the game and ‌audio equipment maker forecast annual sales at its gaming business would fall 6% due to lower hardware sales.

Toyota has fallen 13% ​so far ​this year, while ⁠Sony has lost 23%. The Topix has gained 12% during the same period.

Bank shares fell, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group losing ​1.97% and 2.24%, respectively.

Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest reversed early losses to rise 0.57%.

Silicon wafer maker Sumco jumped 18% to become the top percentage gainer on the Nikkei.

Of the more than 1,600 stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s prime market, 52% fell, 45% rose and 2% traded flat.

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