What is the Nikkei 225?

The Nikkei 225, or simply the Nikkei, is Japan's premier stock market index. It is a price-weighted index tracking the performance of 225 large, publicly owned companies from a wide array of industry sectors listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE).

Because Japan is one of the world's largest economies and a global powerhouse in technology and manufacturing, the Nikkei is heavily monitored by international investors. It features iconic multinational brands like Toyota, Sony, Nintendo, and SoftBank.

Ticker: ^N225

Curiosity: The Nikkei 225 is famous for experiencing one of the most extreme financial bubbles in history. After peaking at nearly 39,000 points in December 1989, the Japanese asset price bubble burst. It took the Nikkei over 34 years—until February 2024—to finally break that record and reach a new all-time high.