The Japan Exchange (JPX) Group has released its trading overview for first half activity (April/September) during 2013. It recorded the third highest volumes for the first half of the business year, behind the first halves of 2007 and 2005 respectively.
In the cash equity market, the total trading value of TSE 1st Section stocks, excluding preferred stock, during the first half of 2013 was Y 351.5 trillion.
Total derivatives trading volume on JPX in April-September surpassed 200 million contracts for the first time ever. The Japanese derivatives markets will be integrated under OSE in March 2014.
Olympic effect on real estate stock trading
The announcement on 8 September that the Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo in 2020 has galvanised activity in Japanese property-related stocks.
The trading value of construction sector stocks surged to Y 3.78 trillion, which was triple the volumes of August.
The TOPIX-17 Construction & Materials index ended the month at 168.46 points, up 11.1% from the end of the previous month.
Trading value on the REIT market increased sharply. Monthly trading value rose 52.4% from August to JPY 588.4 billion.
ETFs linked to the construction sector also grew. The Next Funds TOPIX-17 Construction & Materials ETF and Daiwa TOPIX-17 Construction & Materials ETF recorded monthly trading volume growth of 20.8 times and 28.4 times respectively.