{"id":45667,"date":"2026-04-23T05:17:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T05:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/uncategorized\/45667\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T05:17:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T05:17:02","slug":"nikkei-225-pulls-back-as-oil-tests-ai-led-rally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/analysis\/45667\/","title":{"rendered":"Nikkei 225 Pulls Back as Oil Tests AI-Led Rally"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/04\/1_Nikkei2-2-1024x573.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48097\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key Points<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nikkei 225 fell <strong>869.13 points or 1.45% to 58,920.98<\/strong>, after touching a high of <strong>60,196.98.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brent crude held above <strong>$100<\/strong>, last cited at <strong>$102.45<\/strong> after a <strong>3.5%<\/strong> jump in the prior session and a further <strong>0.5%<\/strong> rise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wall Street still provided a strong lead, with the <strong>S&amp;P 500 up 1%<\/strong>, the <strong>Dow up 0.81%<\/strong>, and the <strong>Nasdaq up 1.6%<\/strong> to a record close.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Asian equities pushed to fresh highs as traders leaned on a strong start to the US earnings season and another record finish on Wall Street. Japan briefly traded above <strong>60,000<\/strong> for the first time, South Korea\u2019s Kospi hit a record high, and Taiwan\u2019s main index also touched an all-time peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Japan\u2019s Nikkei 225 Stock Average is headed for a record high close that would erase its losses from the Iran war on optimism the new peace talks may hasten the end to the conflict <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zKrEpgS7oJ\">https:\/\/t.co\/zKrEpgS7oJ<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Bloomberg (@business) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/business\/status\/2044622049910399416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 16, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>MSCI\u2019s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose about <strong>1%<\/strong> to a record before some of that momentum cooled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That backdrop tells us the market still wants to own growth and technology exposure. Traders have been willing to look through geopolitical tension as long as company earnings keep landing well and oil shocks do not yet look large enough to choke global demand. Futures later turned softer, which fits the idea that markets are still bullish, but less carefree than they looked at the highs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Japan&#39;s Nikkei 225 set to fall as Trump\u2019s Iran deadline pushes oil higher in holiday-thinned Asia <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zc3XUPUzb4\">https:\/\/t.co\/zc3XUPUzb4<\/a><\/p>&mdash; CNBC (@CNBC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CNBC\/status\/2040945766366093699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 6, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For the Nikkei 225, that means the rally remains fundamentally supported, but the margin for error is thinner. If oil keeps climbing and starts to pressure margins, transport costs, and inflation expectations more directly, traders may rotate out of the most extended parts of the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wall Street Earnings Are Still Doing The Heavy Lifting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The US lead remained supportive. On Wednesday, the <strong>S&amp;P 500 rose 1%<\/strong>, the <strong>Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.81%<\/strong>, and the <strong>Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.6%<\/strong> to a record close. After the bell, Tesla also helped sentiment by posting a surprise positive first-quarter free cash flow of <strong>$1.44 billion<\/strong>, compared with market expectations for a <strong>$1.43 billion deficit<\/strong>. Revenue came in at <strong>$22.39 billion<\/strong>, although that still slightly missed forecasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs for a third straight session, while the Dow hit its highest since February as investors welcomed Iran&#39;s move to open the Strait of Hormuz <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xG3PEC3tYY\">https:\/\/t.co\/xG3PEC3tYY<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3qFWtQooAA\">pic.twitter.com\/3qFWtQooAA<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Reuters (@Reuters) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Reuters\/status\/2045291215864926548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 18, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Nikkei has been moving in step with the global AI and semiconductor trade. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing rose <strong>3.2%<\/strong> and Samsung Electronics gained <strong>2.6%<\/strong>, which helped keep chip and AI-linked risk appetite alive across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cautious read here is that earnings are still winning the short-term argument, but only just. If US results stay strong, dip buyers may keep stepping into Asian equities. If earnings momentum starts to narrow while oil stays firm, the Nikkei could lose one of its main pillars of support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Technical Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nikkei 225 is trading near <strong>58,921<\/strong>, pulling back after a strong rally that pushed price toward the <strong>60,100\u201360,200 resistance zone<\/strong>. The recent move higher from the late-March lows remains intact, but momentum is starting to cool as the index meets overhead supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From a technical standpoint, the bias remains <strong>cautiously bullish but <\/strong><strong>showing<\/strong><strong> early signs of exhaustion<\/strong>. Price is still holding above the <strong>20-day moving average (56,263)<\/strong>, which continues to slope upward and supports the broader recovery structure. However, the <strong>5-day (59,285)<\/strong> has started to roll over, and the <strong>10-day (58,801)<\/strong> is now acting as immediate support, indicating short-term consolidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/04\/image-27-1024x458.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48427\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Key levels to watch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Support:<\/strong> 58,800 \u2192 56,200 \u2192 54,400<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Resistance:<\/strong> 60,100 \u2192 61,100 \u2192 62,500<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The index is currently consolidating just below the <strong>60,100 resistance level<\/strong>, where recent upside attempts have stalled. A clean break above this zone could extend the rally toward <strong>61,100<\/strong>, with further upside potential if bullish momentum resumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the downside, <strong>58,800<\/strong> is acting as immediate support. A break below this level could trigger a pullback toward the <strong>56,200 area<\/strong>, though this would likely remain corrective as long as the broader higher-low structure holds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, the Nikkei 225 is <strong>holding onto its recovery gains but losing short-term momentum near resistance<\/strong>. The near-term focus is on whether buyers can reclaim <strong>60,100<\/strong>, or if the index pulls back to retest support before attempting another leg higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Traders Should Watch Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The next move will likely depend on whether earnings or energy wins the macro tug-of-war. If Wall Street keeps posting clean earnings beats and oil steadies rather than surges, the Nikkei can still rebuild toward the <strong>60,000<\/strong> area and challenge the <strong>60,196.98<\/strong> high again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, the Nikkei still looks like a market in an uptrend that has run into a real macro speed bump. Traders should watch whether buyers defend the moving average cluster quickly, or whether oil finally forces a more meaningful rethink of how much good news is already priced in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Learn more about trading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/indices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Indices<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/trade-now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">VT Markets<\/a> today.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Trader Questions<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p><strong>Why did the Nikkei 225 fall after hitting record highs?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Nikkei 225 dropped <strong>869.13 points or 1.45% to 58,920.98<\/strong> after briefly reaching <strong>60,196.98<\/strong>. The pullback reflects profit-taking near record levels and growing caution as oil prices above <strong>$100<\/strong> raise inflation concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Are Asian equities still in an uptrend?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, the broader trend remains supported. MSCI\u2019s Asia-Pacific index rose about <strong>1% to a record<\/strong>, while the Nikkei still holds above key moving averages like the <strong>MA10 at 58,800.94<\/strong> and <strong>MA20 at 56,263.94<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How are US markets influencing the Nikkei?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wall Street continues to provide a strong lead. The <strong>S&amp;P 500 rose 1%<\/strong>, the <strong>Dow gained 0.81%<\/strong>, and the <strong>Nasdaq climbed 1.6% to a record close<\/strong>, supporting global risk sentiment and AI-linked stocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What role are oil prices playing in the current market?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brent crude staying above <strong>$100<\/strong>, last at <strong>$102.45<\/strong> after a <strong>3.5%<\/strong> surge and an additional <strong>0.5%<\/strong> rise, is lifting inflation expectations. This creates pressure on equities if energy costs begin to impact growth and margins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What levels should traders watch for the Nikkei 225?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traders are watching the <strong>58,800\u201359,285 range<\/strong>, which aligns with the <strong>MA10 and MA5<\/strong>. Holding above this zone keeps the uptrend intact, while a break lower could shift focus toward the mid-<strong>57,000s<\/strong> and the <strong>MA20 at 56,263.94<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Start trading now &#8211; Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/trade-now\/\">here<\/a> to create your real VT Markets account <\/strong> <\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:post-content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nikkei 225 slips 1.45% as oil risk rises, even while Wall Street records and strong earnings keep Asia supported. | VT Markets<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":45664,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/04\/Nikkei2-2-1-600x400.webp","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/04\/Nikkei2-2-1-600x600.webp","author_info":{"display_name":"josephine","author_link":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/author\/josephine\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45667"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45667\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarketsglobal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}