Japan's Nikkei seen rising about 5% by year-end, shaking off Trump tariff impact: Reuters poll

Japan's Nikkei share average will climb about 5% by end-year as uncertainties over U.S. trade policies that have been holding the index back continue to clear up, although volatility is likely in the near term, according to equity strategists in a Reuters poll. The Nikkei is forecast to trade at 39,600 at the end of December, according to the median estimate of 17 analysts polled between May 15 and 27, up from Tuesday's close of 37,724.11. Three analysts predicted the Nikkei will top July's all-time peak of 42,426.77 by June next year, and two analysts saw it doing so by end-2026.