Japan’s Stock Investors Hedge Against More Drops as War Persists

Investors in Japanese equities are hedging against more downside as the war in the Middle East drags on.

The Topix index has shed more than 7% since the US-Israeli attack on Iran, making it one of the worst hit markets in the world. Since the start of the war in late February, Japan’s stock market has been on a roller coaster, lurching between sharp gains and losses. Stocks surged again on Wednesday, closing 2.6% higher, after signs the US was trying to de-escalate the conflict.