Nikkei claws higher; Apple-related shares shine

TOKYO, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Japanese shares closed higher on
Tuesday as investor sentiment improved after U.S. futures
trimmed early losses, while Apple-related issues firmed ahead of
an event of the iPhone maker later in the day.
The benchmark Nikkei share average .N225 rose 0.18% to
23,601.78, while the broader Topix .TOPX gained 0.35% to
1,649.10.
Nearly two-thirds of the 33 sector sub-indexes on the Tokyo
exchange settled higher, with airlines .IAIRL.T , insurance
.IINSU.T and real estate .IRLTY.T being the three top
performers on the main bourse.
Both indexes fell in morning trade on lower U.S. stock
futures and a firmer yen as investors looked past Wall Street's
overnight gains on the back of a renewed tech rally and
expectations of a coronavirus relief package.
But the indexes bounced back as U.S. futures cut some of
their losses, with e-mini futures for the S&P 500 EScvq last
down 0.15%.
Also supporting the market was a surge in Apple-related
stocks ahead of the iPhone maker's AAPL.O event where it is
expected to launch its latest iPhone.
Taiyo Yuden 6976.T and Murata Manufacturing Co 6981.T
jumped more than 3.9% each, while TDK Corporation 6762.T rose
1.83%.
Analysts said some investors were in a wait-and-see mode
ahead of key earnings reports, including those of J.Front
Retailing Co 3086.T and Takashimaya Co 8233.T due later in
the day.
SoftBank Group Corp 9984.T fell 1.73% on profit-taking,
erasing early gains on news that the conglomerate's Vision Fund
was preparing to launch a blank-cheque acquisition company.
Elsewhere, machinery stocks were supported by data showing
Japan's core machinery orders unexpectedly rose in August.
Data also indicated that overseas orders, which are not
included in core orders, rose at the fastest pace since April
2014. Fanuc Corp 6954.T spiked 4.23%, while SMC Corp 6273.T
rose 3.42%.
The Mothers Index .MTHR of start-up firms fell 0.31%,
snapping six consecutive sessions of gains.