(Updates with closing prices)
By Kevin Buckland
TOKYO, April 23 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average
rose on Tuesday, buoyed by Wall Street's rally overnight,
although concerns about big tech earnings and tensions in the
Middle East capped gains.
The Nikkei ended the day up 0.3% at 37,552.16.
notching a second consecutive session of gains after slumping to
a 10-week low on Friday.
Trading was choppy in Tuesday's morning session, with the
index gaining 1% before retreating briefly into negative
territory. However, the afternoon was calm with the index
tracking mainly sideways.
The broader Topix finished up 0.14%.
All three of the main U.S. stock benchmarks rallied on
Monday, rebounding from big losses the previous week.
However, Tesla shares dropped 3.4% following price
cuts in a number of its major markets. The electric vehicle
maker is one of the so-called Magnificent Seven group of tech
giants that will report earnings this week, along with Meta
Platforms ( META ), Alphabet and Microsoft ( MSFT ).
"In terms of recent trends, Japan's stock market appears to
be heavily influenced by overseas factors," said Shoki Omori,
chief Japan desk strategist at Mizuho Securities.
"This week, not only will the Magnificent Seven release
their earnings, but other major companies will as well," he
said. "I think earnings are going to come out on the weaker
side, which could push the Nikkei down to 37,000."
The Nikkei rose to an all-time high of 41,087.75 a month ago
before retreating sharply to as low as 36,733.06 by Friday.
Among notable chip-sector names, Tokyo Electron ( TOELF )
edged up 0.15% and Advantest ( ADTTF ) reverse early gains to
fall 0.46%. Lasertec ( LSRCF ) lost 1.94% and Disco
dropped 2.56%.
Utilities were standout winners, with Osaka Gas ( OSGSF )
jumping 4.84% to be the Nikkei's biggest percentage gainer after
revising up its earnings forecast. Tokyo Gas ( TKGSF ) climbed
2.79%.