A positive outlook on the economy is boosting cyclical stocks today, and sectors like real estate are being bought. |
After their recent declines following a series of profit warnings, valuations for most of big name high-techs have come down to levels that look quite attractive to most investors. |
As long as Prime Minister Mori insists on staying, a gloomy mood will linger. |
Ever since the Nikkei component reshuffle, movements in major high-tech stocks have been dictating the key average... Investors will be looking for clues to a rebound in the earnings announcements by major technology firms that will be coming later this week. |
If the successor is somebody else (besides Koizumi), that would be little help for stocks. |
It's a tug-of-war between those who see the yen's strength as a sign of an economic recovery, and those who focus on the negative impact of the strong yen. |
Speculation mounted for a cut in Toshiba's earnings forecast, and the stock's fall sent other major electronics makers lower. |
The GDP data's initial impact was neutral. |
The market may feel more positively on the data from next week and onwards. |
The Nasdaq gains gave a gentle nudge higher to a market that was ready for a rebound after last week's losing spell. |
The selling will likely ease this month, but strong buying won't return for a while longer -- as long as U.S. markets are down. |
The timing of New York's rebound looks just right. |
The U.S. Federal Reserve's move to cut by 50 basis points was within expectations, but U.S. investors drew some optimism from it and so should we. |
There's very little good news to spur buying, but a slightly weaker yen gives support to exporters. |
These days, just about every major tech firm is raising its profit forecasts, generating rather strong demand. |