Tsuyoshi Segawa Market Quotations

The plus reading will definitely pave the way for an end to the Bank of Japan's ultra-easy monetary policy and the market has not factored this in yet.

With the year-end and new-year retail sales showing good results, the market mirrors optimism about the outlook of domestic consumption.

The Nasdaq slipped below 1,300 yesterday and that means the market has returned to the level when Federal Reserve Chairman (Alan) Greenspan warned of inflated U.S. stock prices as 'irrational exuberance' in 1996.

The market here may find it difficult to find a direction as the New York market is closed on Friday and is expected to start slowly on Monday.

The market still has enough energy left to focus on certain stocks. Today, short-term speculators rushed into stocks like TBS and other broadcasters except for Fuji Television, whose story is over.