EquitiesTreasure trove of AI and niche companies pushes net buying to new highThe Nikkei Stock Average has risen by 39% since the end of 2025, far outstripping rises in the STOXX 600 and S&P 500. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)ERINA SATO, CHIHIRO ISHIKAWA and JUMPEI KINEFUCHIJuly 3, 2026 01:24 JSTTOKYO/LONDON -- Overseas investors bought 9.7 trillion yen ($60 billion) more in Japanese stocks than they sold in the first half 2026, the most ever for half a year, buoyed by capital efficiency improvements and a broad base of chip-related companies underpinning the artificial intelligence boom.