Nikkei 225 index to add chip stocks after passing record 40,000 for first time 

Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock index will undergo an update next month, incorporating chip companies Socionext and Disco into the benchmark, according to an announcement from the index's publisher on Monday. 

These additions will see the removal of Sumitomo Osaka Cement, Pacific Metals, and Takara Holdings from the index. 

On Monday, the Nikkei 225 achieved a historic milestone by surpassing the 40,000 mark for the first time, culminating in a 19% increase for the year. This surge has been primarily driven by the performance of chip-related stocks, such as Advantest and Tokyo Electron. 

Socionext and Disco have both exceeded the Nikkei 225’s yearly performance, with stock price increases of 55% and 47%, respectively. 

ZOZO, an online fashion retailer, is also set to join the benchmark index. 

What is the Nikkei 225 index? 

The Nikkei, short for Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average, stands as the leading and most-respected index of Japanese equities. It is a price-weighted index comprising Japan's top 225 blue-chip companies that are actively traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.   

The Nikkei plays a role similar to that of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in the United States.  

Previously known as the Nikkei Dow Jones Stock Average from 1975 to 1985, it currently bears the name of its sponsor, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, or Japan Economic Newspaper, commonly referred to as Nikkei, which oversees the computation of the index.  

Calculation of the index — the oldest index in Asia — began in September 1950, with data being retroactively computed back to May 1949. Some of the most well-known companies featured in the Nikkei include Canon, Sony, and the Toyota Motor Corporation.   

The Nikkei was originally established as part of Japan's post-World War II reconstruction and industrialization efforts. Unlike many other indices, the constituent shares within the Nikkei are price-weighted, meaning they are ranked based on their individual prices rather than their market capitalization. All valuations are denominated in Japanese yen.   

A comprehensive review of the Nikkei's composition takes place annually in September, and any necessary adjustments are implemented in October. 

As of March 3, 2024, the Nikkei 225 index has gained over 20% year-to-date (YTD), exceeding the S&P 500 (over 8% YTD) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (over 3.5% YTD). 

When considering indices or shares for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and could result in capital loss.    

Past performance is not indicative of any future results. This information is provided for informative purposes only and should not be construed to be investment advice.