Nikkei index falls for the fourth session ‎

The Japanese Nikkei index fell today, Friday, for the fourth consecutive session, tracking the impact of US stock losses on Thursday, after data indicating strength in the labor market fueled speculation that the Federal Reserve (the US central bank) will be more inclined to raise interest rates to confront inflation.

According to “Reuters”, the Nikkei ended the session down 1.17 percent to 32,388.42 points, as the pace of decline accelerated in the last half hour of the session.

All sectors fell on the Nikkei, led by the real estate sector, which fell nearly 2 percent. The energy sector was the least losing, down 0.77 percent

Of the 225 stocks on the index, 180 declined, while 42 stocks rose, and three stocks closed with little change.

The broader Topix index fell 0.97 percent to 2,254.90 points.

The Nikkei has fallen 2.41 percent since the start of the week, after closing at a 33-year high on Monday.

Since mid-March, it has risen by about 27 percent.