Nikkei's 0.9% Rise Led by Chip and Auto Stocks Signals Targeted Risk Appetite, Not Broad Rally

The Nikkei 225 rose 0.9% in early trading on July 29, 2026, led by chip and auto stocks. Both sectors carry outsized weight in the index's price-weighted construction, meaning their gains disproportionately drive the headline number. The concentrated leadership suggests shared macro drivers — global industrial demand and currency moves — rather than broad-based buying across the market.