"Commodity prices including oil have risen, which is a catalyst for stronger commodity-related shares such as trading firms"
- Ryuta Otsuka, a strategist at Toyo Securities Co.
Japanese stocks were little changed on Monday after higher commodity prices offset decrease in U.S. home sales. The Nikkei 225 gained 0.07%, or 6.77, to 10,018.24. The broader Topix retreated 0.08%, or 0.71, to 851.82.
"Commodity prices including oil have risen, which is a catalyst for stronger commodity-related shares such as trading firms," said Ryuta Otsuka, a strategist at Toyo Securities Co. in Tokyo. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is to announce change in year-on-year retail sales on Thursday. Economists expect sales to rise 1.4 per cent.
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