If the successor is somebody else (besides Koizumi), that would be little help for stocks.
What we have been seeing today and yesterday is a rather normal correction after the nearly vertical rise in high-tech shares in recent sessions. Investors will be taking refuge in other sectors until high-tech stocks find a floor.
When IT (information technology) issues and other large-cap issues are down, the Nikkei cannot help but suffer.
When core stocks like NTT perform strongly, it really lifts the sprit of the entire market.
Ever since the Nikkei component reshuffle, movements in major high-tech stocks have been dictating the key average... Investors will be looking for clues to a rebound in the earnings announcements by major technology firms that will be coming later this week.
The timing of New York's rebound looks just right.
These days, just about every major tech firm is raising its profit forecasts, generating rather strong demand.
The selling will likely ease this month, but strong buying won't return for a while longer -- as long as U.S. markets are down.
The Nasdaq gains gave a gentle nudge higher to a market that was ready for a rebound after last week's losing spell.
Speculation mounted for a cut in Toshiba's earnings forecast, and the stock's fall sent other major electronics makers lower.
A positive outlook on the economy is boosting cyclical stocks today, and sectors like real estate are being bought.
As long as Prime Minister Mori insists on staying, a gloomy mood will linger.
It's a tug-of-war between those who see the yen's strength as a sign of an economic recovery, and those who focus on the negative impact of the strong yen.
The U.S. Federal Reserve's move to cut by 50 basis points was within expectations, but U.S. investors drew some optimism from it and so should we.
There's very little good news to spur buying, but a slightly weaker yen gives support to exporters.
After their recent declines following a series of profit warnings, valuations for most of big name high-techs have come down to levels that look quite attractive to most investors.
The market may feel more positively on the data from next week and onwards.