Japan's Nikkei index closed lower in limited trading on Wednesday, September 13, before the release of inflation data in the United States, but losses were limited as investors bought stocks that could bear the brunt of rising interest rates.
The Nikkei index fell 0.21% to close at 32,706.52 points after rising as much as 0.3% earlier in the session. The broader Topix index also fell 0.5% to 2,378.64 points
Analysts' opinions
Hideyuki Suzuki, general manager of investment research at SBI Securities, said the market had little direction today, partly due to investors awaiting US inflation data.
He added, but in light of this environment, investors wanted to buy valuable stocks, which limited losses.
US CPI data for August is due later today, while producer price data is due tomorrow, Thursday. These readings will help shape expectations about the path of interest rates before the Federal Reserve meeting on September 20.
Company shares
SoftBank Group shares fell 1.63 percent, being the biggest losers on the Nikkei index, followed by employment agency Recruit Holdings, which lost 1.67 percent.
While the shares of KDDI Mobile Phones Company rose 1.58%, providing the greatest support to Nikkei.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group shares also jumped 3.13%, providing the greatest support to Topix.
