Japanese Stocks Extend Gains for Third Consecutive Session

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index advanced 1.31% to close at 61,249 on Wednesday, recording its third straight session of gains as stronger-than-expected results from AI computing provider CoreWeave eased concerns over the artificial intelligence sector. Optimism surrounding AI-related stocks was further boosted by reports that Anthropic could begin trading as early as next week, with plans to raise up to $90 billion at a diluted valuation of approximately $1.4 trillion. Technology and AI-related stocks led the gains, including Kioxia Holdings (5.6%), Advantest (5.9%), Taiyo Yuden (7.3%) and Lasertec (6.3%). Meanwhile, shares of SoftBank Group fell after posting its first net loss in nearly two years, driven by a $3.7 billion impairment charge on its US data-center projects and declining valuations across the AI sector.