Shipping lines gained on speculation global demand for raw materials will increase. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines gained 2.43% and Kawasaki Kisen increased 2.30%.
Nippon Soda Co. led decliners in the Nikkei 225 index shares with a drop of 10.55%, in Ebara Corp. of 7.41%, in Mazda Motor Corp. of 4.11%, Nippon Oil of 4.03%, and Showa Shell of 3%.
Nippon Oil fell after crude oil prices fell below $118 per barrel on a strengthening yen.
Steel companies fell after JFE Holdings annual profit fell 12.6% to 261 billion yen from 299 billion yen a year ago. Kobe Steel declined 2.56%. |