Nikkei index ends flat recording its first annual loss in 4 years

Today, Friday, the Japanese Nikkei index gave up early gains to close flat before the New Year holidays and record its first annual loss in four years.

According to Reuters, the index closed at 26,094.50 points, after rising 0.9 percent earlier in the session, tracing the gains seen on Wall Street last night. The index fell 9.4 percent during the year, recording its first annual loss since 2018

The broader Topix index also reversed its trend, closing down 0.19 percent at 1891.71 points, and ending the year down by five percent, the first loss in four years as well.

The Japanese market is scheduled to resume trading on Wednesday after the New Year holidays

Fast Retailing, owner of the Uniqlo clothing brand, rose 1.94 percent, and technology investment group SoftBank Group rose 0.46 percent.

Shipping companies rose 1.23 percent and were the best performers among the 33 sub-indices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Among the stocks listed on the Nikkei index, 91 rose, 121 declined, and 13 remained unchanged.