Overview

• The Nikkei 225 fell 168.02 points to 43,546.29 on Aug. 19, while TOPIX slipped 4.33 to 3,116.63 as investors took profits near record territory.
• The benchmark briefly set another intraday peak early in the session before reversing on caution about lofty prices.
• Semiconductor-linked shares led early gains, and parts of the auto and other export-focused groups were bought as the yen softened.
• The currency traded around ¥147 per dollar, a backdrop that has recently supported exporter earnings expectations.
• On Aug. 18, the Nikkei logged a second straight record close at 43,714.31, and TOPIX also hit an intraday high.