Japan’s Nikkei 225 breaches 40,000 on tech strength, positive data By

-- Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index surged past a key level in early trade on NASDAQ Stock ExchangeMonday, extending a technology-driven rally, while positive economic readings also helped improve sentiment towards the economy and over the Bank of Japan.

The rose as much as 0.8% to a record high of 40,308.0 points, crossing the 40,000 level for the first time in its history. 

Technology stocks remained the biggest boosts to the index, with chipmaking and chip-adjacent stocks clocking sustained gains on persistent hype that artificial intelligence will drive a demand boom in the coming months.

Chip testing equipment maker (TYO:) jumped 3.7% and was close to a record high, while (TYO:) hit a three-year high. SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:) also traded near a three-year peak.

A tech-fueled rally on Wall Street provided a positive lead-in to Japanese shares, especially as the tech-heavy IXIC closed at a record high on Friday. 

Japanese economy seen resilient, inflation set to ease 

Key economic readings released on Monday also painted a positive picture for Japanese markets. 

Japanese rose a substantially bigger-than-expected 16.4% in the fourth quarter, defying an unexpected slowdown in economic growth as business spending remained resilient. 

Other data showed Japan’s - a key indicator of inflationary trends- unexpectedly slid to a six-month low in February. The reading, which comes amid a broader cooling in Japanese inflation, gives the BOJ little impetus to aggressively tighten monetary policy.

While the central bank is still expected to raise interest rates from ultra-low levels by as soon as April, it is still likely to keep monetary conditions largely loose, presenting a positive environment for Japanese stocks.

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