Nikkei slips as chipmakers fall on caution over AI spending
The Nikkei fell 0.8% as chip stocks gave back gains, with investors wary of AI-related capital spending heading into 2027, per Reuters.
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what happened
Japan's Nikkei share average fell on Thursday as chip-sector stocks reversed the previous session's rise. Investors are cautious about AI-related spending next year. According to Reuters, by 0137 GMT the Nikkei had dropped 0.8% to 64,128.54 after gaining 0.9% on Wednesday. The broader Topix was roughly flat.
Chipmakers weighed on the index: Tokyo Electron fell 4.1%, Screen Holdings lost 6% and Lasertec dipped 2.7%. SoftBank Group slid 3.1%. Trend Micro jumped 6.6% after reports of critical PHP vulnerabilities, while SHIFT rose 9% to lead the Nikkei's gainers.
Iwai Cosmo Securities analyst Kazuyoshi Saito linked the caution to demand from China, where equipment was bought early amid expectations of tighter rules. Nomura Securities strategist Wataru Akiyama said the market is looking ahead to 2027 and whether AI capex will continue.
why it matters
The Nikkei is sensitive to moves in chip producers, so a pullback there weighs heavily on the index. If Chinese demand has peaked, equipment makers could face continued pressure.
market impact
Japanese chipmakers and Nikkei: AI spending caution pressures the semiconductor sector
instruments
sources
- Japan's Nikkei slips as chip shares pressured by AI capex caution — Reuters, 22 October 2026 at 02:17 UTC
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