Japan: Shares Gain for Second Session.

The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.6% to above 66,000 on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session as falling oil prices eased concerns over higher inflation in the near term. Japanese stocks also tracked gains on Wall Street overnight as long-term Treasury yields declined sharply, while investors awaited greater clarity on the US government’s fiscal reform plans. Meanwhile, traders looked ahead to chip giant Nvidia’s earnings report later in the global day for fresh clues on the strength of artificial intelligence-related demand. Among individual stocks, notable gains came from Advantest (2%), SoftBank Group (2.7%) and Mitsubishi UFJ (1.6%). In corporate news, Terra Drone surged more than 20% after Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency selected the aircraft company to supply the Japan Self-Defense Forces with its Terra B1 interceptor drone under a fast-tracked program aimed at strengthening counter-uncrewed aircraft capabilities.