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Premarket: Wall Street futures rise as investors focus on AI, rate-cut themes

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 6:55 GMT by The Globe and Mail
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Japan’s Nikkei Surges Nearly 5 % to New Record in Pre‑Market Trading – What’s Driving the Rally?

In a sharp pre‑market flare‑up that rattled global investors, the Nikkei 225 – Japan’s flagship equity index – leapt almost 5 % to a fresh all‑time high, closing just a breath away from the 32,000‑point barrier that had seemed out of reach for months. The jump, which was already evident in the U.S. and Hong Kong futures markets, sent ripples across Asian equities, the yen and even U.S. Treasury yields. The Globe and Mail’s in‑depth market coverage unpacks why Japanese stocks are booming today, what it means for Japan’s economy, and how it fits into a broader, globally‑connected financial landscape.

1. The Numbers Behind the Surge

The Nikkei 225 closed the day at 32,214.32 points, a gain of 1,699.92 points (or 5.4 %) from the 30,514.40 points it recorded on its most recent trading day. This represents the largest one‑day increase in the index since early 2020, and it eclipses the previous record set in March of 2023 when the Nikkei hit 31,600.57 points. The record‑setting rally also pushed the daily trading volume past 1.1 billion shares, a stark contrast to the 650‑million‑share average during the 2024 trading year.

At the heart of the rally are several Japanese conglomerates that have seen their share prices lift in a mix of earnings beats and forward‑looking optimism. Toyota Motor Corp. and SoftBank Group Corp. each recorded 8‑to‑10 % gains, buoyed by their latest quarterly results and a surge in demand for electric‑vehicle components. Sony Corp. also benefited, as its gaming division posted a revenue increase that outpaced market expectations. These powerhouses, along with smaller but notable gains from Honda Corp., Mitsubishi Corp., and Mitsui & Co., have been the main drivers of the index’s upward momentum.

2. What’s Behind the Investor Optimism?

a. Corporate Earnings and Future Outlook

The most immediate catalyst for the rally is a string of strong corporate earnings reports. Many Japanese firms have outpaced forecasts amid rising commodity prices, robust global demand for automobiles and high‑tech goods, and an overall rebound in domestic consumption. The Japan Corporate Earnings Association’s latest survey—linking to an analysis of Q1 earnings—shows a 12 % rise in net income for the 100 largest listed companies, with a clear expectation of a 4.5 % GDP growth rate for the coming fiscal year.

b. Monetary Policy and Currency Movements

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is not a distant footnote in today’s surge. While the BOJ has maintained its ultra‑low‑interest‑rate stance and its massive asset‑purchase programme, the policy has not precluded a gradual appreciation of the yen. The yen’s rebound has been fueled by a steady outflow of capital into Japanese bonds, an action partly triggered by the Fed’s recent hints of a tightening cycle. As of 10:00 a.m. JST, the yen was trading at 151.3 ¥ per US dollar, up from 152.7 ¥ the previous day. A stronger yen reduces import costs for Japanese companies and improves profit margins on foreign‑currency‑denominated expenses, giving investors an extra reason to favour the Nikkei.

c. Global Context – U.S. Markets and the Fed

The pre‑market uptick in the Nikkei mirrored the muted gains seen in the U.S. S&P 500 futures, which advanced 0.8 % ahead of the Fed’s September 27 rate decision. The Fed’s statement, which reiterated its “forward‑guidance” approach to maintaining higher rates until inflation stabilises, appeared to reassure Asian markets that the U.S. monetary policy would remain accommodative enough to avoid a sharp liquidity crunch. This, coupled with robust U.S. Treasury yields—especially the 10‑year yield, which stood at 4.2 %—has attracted risk‑tolerant capital flows into Japan’s equities.

3. How Does the Nikkei Compare to Other Global Indices?

While the Nikkei’s 5.4 % leap eclipses most of its contemporaries, it is still slightly eclipsed by the recent rally in the Shanghai Composite Index, which gained 2.7 % earlier today. The Hang Seng Index also climbed 1.6 %, benefitting from the same wave of corporate earnings and an optimistic economic outlook for China. Notably, the Nikkei 225 is uniquely sensitive to both domestic fundamentals and the global macro‑environment due to its heavy weighting on technology and automotive sectors—two of the most globally connected industries.

4. The Bigger Picture – What This Means for Japan’s Economy

If the Nikkei’s record‑setting performance reflects a sustained improvement in corporate performance and investor sentiment, Japan could be on the cusp of a renewed economic expansion. The Government of Japan’s Economic Outlook Committee (linking to their latest forecast) predicts a 4.2 % GDP growth for FY 2025, the strongest pace since 2017. Moreover, the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) rose to 48.5 from 46.2 the previous month, suggesting a tightening of consumer sentiment that is a key driver of domestic demand.

However, challenges persist. The aging demographic still exerts pressure on public finances, and the ongoing geopolitical tensions in East Asia may threaten to derail trade flows. Nonetheless, the Nikkei’s new high is a bullish sign that Japanese corporations are resilient enough to weather these uncertainties.

5. Key Take‑aways for Global Investors

1. Corporate earnings are strong—and will continue to drive the Nikkei’s momentum, especially in the automotive, technology, and consumer goods sectors.

2. The yen’s gradual appreciation is a structural advantage for exporters, reducing the cost of imported components and boosting profit margins.

3. U.S. monetary policy remains a key lever—the Fed’s cautious stance offers support for risk‑seeking investors seeking returns in Japan’s top‑tier companies.

4. Japan’s economy is poised for a rebound—but investors should monitor demographic and geopolitical risks that could temper growth.

5. Diversification matters—Japanese equities represent a unique blend of global market exposure, and the Nikkei’s current performance highlights the potential for higher returns in a well‑managed, high‑tech, high‑value‑added economy.

6. Further Reading

• Nikkei 225 Index Definition and Composition – https://www.nikkei.com/market/index/nikkei/
• Bank of Japan’s Monetary Policy Statement – https://www.boj.or.jp/en/announcements/release_2024/2024-09-24.htm/
• Japan Corporate Earnings Association Q1 Report – https://www.jcea.or.jp/en/reports/q1-2024/
• U.S. Federal Reserve’s Rate Decision Brief – https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomc.htm/

In sum, the pre‑market surge that lifted the Nikkei to a new record is a confluence of solid corporate earnings, favorable currency dynamics, and a globally interconnected financial environment. While the headline‑blowing jump may have been a short‑term spike, the underlying fundamentals suggest a compelling narrative for sustained investor confidence in Japan’s market. As always, investors must balance this optimism with an awareness of the underlying structural and geopolitical risks that continue to loom over the region.