Nikkei 225 closes 0.9 percent higher on AI demand
Published on 10/21/2026 at 13:10 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSAI demand and upcoming earnings
- Nikkei 225 closed at 64,621 points on October 21, up 546 points or 0.9 percent.
- September exports rose 16.7 percent year on year, supporting semiconductor-linked shares.
- Resonac Holdings led gainers with a 5.3 percent rise, while Shift fell 3.5 percent.
- Disco is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on October 22 at 4:00 p.m. JST.
The Nikkei 225 closed at 64,621 points on October 21, gaining 546 points or 0.9 percent. AI optimism and stronger Wall Street trading supported semiconductor-linked shares, while September exports rose 16.7 percent year on year, below market expectations, Reuters reported.
Resonac Holdings was the strongest major gainer, rising 5.3 percent. The advance followed a weak previous session for technology and AI-related shares.
Why did the Nikkei 225 rebound?
Overnight gains on Wall Street improved sentiment toward artificial intelligence demand. Reports that ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent had ordered more than 3 million Nvidia chips also supported the sector, according to The Economic Times. Japan's exports increased for a 13th consecutive month, despite missing the trade-growth expectation.
Top and flop in the Nikkei 225
The following closing movers were listed by Investing.com:
- Resonac Holdings up 5.3 percent
- Mitsui Kinzoku up 3.8 percent
- Fujikura up 3.7 percent
- Shift down 3.5 percent
- Shiseido down 2.6 percent
- Sapporo Breweries down 2.3 percent
Advancing stocks outnumbered decliners by 2,345 to 1,112, with 260 unchanged. Real estate, banking and textile shares led the broader market, while 24 of 33 sectors gained, Kabutan reported.
Course of the Nikkei 225 on October 21, 2026
The index opened at 64,886 points and reached a session high of 65,405 points before ending at 64,621 points. The close was 546 points above the October 20 close of 64,075 points, according to Xinhua.
What comes next for the Nikkei 225
- October 22, 2026, 4:00 p.m. JST: Disco is scheduled to release its financial report for the quarter ended September 30, KabuFacts lists.
- October 23, 2026, 8:30 a.m. JST: Japan is scheduled to release September national core consumer prices, with a 2.1 percent market expectation and 1.7 percent previous value, Japan market calendar states.
- October 30, 2026: The Bank of Japan is scheduled to conclude its policy meeting; a Reuters poll showed 2 percent of surveyed economists expected an October hike, Reuters reported.
Nikkei 225 price data for October 21, 2026
The Nikkei 225 closed at 64,621 points on October 21, up 546 points or 0.9 percent from the October 20 close of 64,075 points. It opened at 64,886 points and reached a high of 65,405 points.
Nikkei 225 by the numbers on October 21, 2026
- Index: Nikkei 225
- Home exchange: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan
- Close on October 21, 2026: 64,621 points
- Change versus previous close of October 20, 2026: up 546 points (up 0.9 percent)
- Previous close: 64,075 points
- Open: 64,886 points
- Day high: 65,405 points
- Top gainer: Resonac Holdings up 5.3 percent
- Top loser: Shift down 3.5 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 22, 2026, 4:00 p.m. JST: Disco quarterly earnings
