Nikkei surges 1.26% as tech stocks mirror US market gains

Nikkei share rises: Japan's Nikkei share average rose for a fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, as heavyweight technology stocks tracked overnight gains in US megacap growth stocks.

The Nikkei gained 1.26 per cent to close at 40,580.76.

The broader Topix also rose for a fourth straight day, closing up 0.54 per cent at 2,872.18.

Wall Street's main stock indexes closed higher on Tuesday, boosted by gains in Tesla and megacap growth stocks, but volumes were thin ahead of the July 4 holiday and the closely watched release of June nonfarm payrolls on Friday. 

"Investors rotated their targets today. They sold outperforming shares to take profits and bought cheaper stocks," said Naoki Fujiwara, senior fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management.

"The Nikkei tracked Wall Street, higher but also those who were late in catching up to the recent rally bought Nikkei futures, which lifted the main index," said Fujiwara.

Topix's growth stock index, which lags behind the value share index for its weekly performance, jumped 0.93 per cent, while the value share index edged up 0.18 per cent.

Chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron rose 2.6 per cent to provide the biggest boost to the Nikkei. Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest gained 2.38 per cent.

Electronic components maker jumped 5.24 per cent and silicon wafer maker Shin-Etsu Chemical climbed 2.22 per cent.

Meanwhile, Hitachi slipped 1.58 per cent to weigh on the Topix the most. Insurer Tokio Marine Holdings dropped 1.18 per cent. Toyota Motor fell 0.24 per cent.

Of the more than 1,600 stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's (TSE) prime market, 59 per cent of the shares rose, while 37 per cent fell and 2 per cent were unchanged.

The machinery sector rose 2.2 per cent and was the top performer among the TSE's 33 industry sub-indexes.

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