Nikkei index surpasses 60,000 points for first time

April 27, 2026 / 1:17 PM

Sharjah 24 – Reuters: Japan’s Nikkei index closed above 60,000 points for the first time on Monday, as optimism over corporate earnings outweighed concerns about tensions in the Middle East. The index rose 1.38% to close at a record 60,537.36 points, while the broader Topix index gained 0.5% to 3,735.28 points.

AI and earnings drive Wall Street momentum

US markets also supported sentiment after Wall Street indices closed at record highs on Friday, boosted by Intel’s stronger-than-expected earnings and growing demand from the artificial intelligence sector.

Strong gains in robotics and industrial stocks

Shares of industrial automation and robotics companies surged, with Kains and Fanuc hitting their daily trading limits after posting better-than-expected profits, helping drive gains in the Nikkei.

Analyst outlook and market sentiment

Analysts noted that AI-linked stocks and earnings-driven momentum are supporting the market, with upcoming corporate results in Japan and the US expected to influence investor sentiment. However, they also warned that the 60,000-point level could trigger profit-taking due to its psychological significance.

Geopolitical factors and volatility

The index briefly dipped before rebounding following reports of a possible Iranian proposal to end the conflict, although no talks were confirmed. Market breadth was mixed, with 94 stocks rising and 130 declining.

Notable stock movements

SMC shares climbed 7.1% following reports of a major investment, while Rom Co fell 9.19% after concerns over a potential withdrawal of an acquisition offer by Denso.