TOKYO, Sep 13 (Reuters) The Nikkei average is expected to rise on Wednesday, and could test 16,000 as heavyweight stocks such as Advantest Corp. lead the market higher following a rally in US shares.
Non-ferrous metals, energy and other commodity-related stocks may be capped, however, after crude oil prices fell for the seventh straight day on easing concerns about supply shortage, sending gold, copper and other commodities lower in overseas markets.
Market analysts added that technical charts may caution players against buying too aggressively.
''As the Nikkei approaches 16,000, it has several resistance points such as a 200-day moving average and a 25-day moving average,'' said Yutaka Miura, deputy manager of Shinko Securities equity information department.
''I think the Nikkei's recovery further beyond 16,000 may be tough due to the lack of fresh fundamental factors at home,'' he said.
Miura also said the market will likely be driven higher mainly by buying from arbitrage traders who are eager to fill in the widening gap between Nikkei index futures traded in Chicago and in Osaka.
Nikkei futures traded in Chicago suggested a higher opening.
Chicago's Nikkei December futures closed at 15,955 on Tuesday, up a hefty 305 points from the Osaka finish.
Market participants said the Nikkei average would likely move between 15,850 and 16,000.
It fell 0.48 percent to 15,719.34, its lowest close since Aug. 11.
U.S. stocks made their biggest gains in about a month on Tuesday, led by retail shares such as Home Depot Inc. as investors bet falling crude oil prices will boost consumer spending and lift corporate profits while easing inflation.
Technology stocks were also bought, sending the Nasdaq Composite Index almost 2 percent higher and back into positive territory for the year.
STOCKS TO WATCH -- Hino Motors Ltd.
Major truckmaker Hino plans to enter into a global sales tie-up with Swedish rival Scania in an effort to expand sales channels in Asia, South America and other emerging markets, business daily Nihon Keizai said on Wednesday.
-- NEC Corp. and other mobile phone makers Mobile phone shipments in Japan fell 6.2 percent in July, reversing 10 months of gains, on slowing demand for summer models introduced in earlier months, the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Association said on Tuesday.
-- Canon Inc.
Canon said on Tuesday it would recall more than 140,000 personal copiers because they could produce smoke or catch fire, costing the office equipment maker about 200 million yen ($1.7 million).
-- Sony Corp.
Sony said on Tuesday it would postpone the launch of a new Walkman music player by a week in Japan due to malfunction of microchips used in the machine -- the latest delay in a product offering from the world's second-largest consumer electronics maker.
-- Fuji Photo Film Co.
Fuji Photo said on Tuesday it will start selling cosmetics and vitamin supplements from this month using technology and chemicals it has studied in its core business areas such as film and medical gear.
-- SUMCO Corp.
The world's No.2 silicon wafer maker said on Tuesday its first-half net profit grew more than fivefold and raised its full-year forecast due to a tax credit.
REUTERS VJ RAI0557
Non-ferrous metals, energy and other commodity-related stocks may be capped, however, after crude oil prices fell for the seventh straight day on easing concerns about supply shortage, sending gold, copper and other commodities lower in overseas markets.
Market analysts added that technical charts may caution players against buying too aggressively.
''As the Nikkei approaches 16,000, it has several resistance points such as a 200-day moving average and a 25-day moving average,'' said Yutaka Miura, deputy manager of Shinko Securities equity information department.
''I think the Nikkei's recovery further beyond 16,000 may be tough due to the lack of fresh fundamental factors at home,'' he said.
Miura also said the market will likely be driven higher mainly by buying from arbitrage traders who are eager to fill in the widening gap between Nikkei index futures traded in Chicago and in Osaka.
Nikkei futures traded in Chicago suggested a higher opening.
Chicago's Nikkei December futures closed at 15,955 on Tuesday, up a hefty 305 points from the Osaka finish.
Market participants said the Nikkei average would likely move between 15,850 and 16,000.
It fell 0.48 percent to 15,719.34, its lowest close since Aug. 11.
U.S. stocks made their biggest gains in about a month on Tuesday, led by retail shares such as Home Depot Inc. as investors bet falling crude oil prices will boost consumer spending and lift corporate profits while easing inflation.
Technology stocks were also bought, sending the Nasdaq Composite Index almost 2 percent higher and back into positive territory for the year.
STOCKS TO WATCH -- Hino Motors Ltd.
Major truckmaker Hino plans to enter into a global sales tie-up with Swedish rival Scania in an effort to expand sales channels in Asia, South America and other emerging markets, business daily Nihon Keizai said on Wednesday.
-- NEC Corp. and other mobile phone makers Mobile phone shipments in Japan fell 6.2 percent in July, reversing 10 months of gains, on slowing demand for summer models introduced in earlier months, the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Association said on Tuesday.
-- Canon Inc.
Canon said on Tuesday it would recall more than 140,000 personal copiers because they could produce smoke or catch fire, costing the office equipment maker about 200 million yen ($1.7 million).
-- Sony Corp.
Sony said on Tuesday it would postpone the launch of a new Walkman music player by a week in Japan due to malfunction of microchips used in the machine -- the latest delay in a product offering from the world's second-largest consumer electronics maker.
-- Fuji Photo Film Co.
Fuji Photo said on Tuesday it will start selling cosmetics and vitamin supplements from this month using technology and chemicals it has studied in its core business areas such as film and medical gear.
-- SUMCO Corp.
The world's No.2 silicon wafer maker said on Tuesday its first-half net profit grew more than fivefold and raised its full-year forecast due to a tax credit.
REUTERS VJ RAI0557
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