Japanese equities rebounded slightly on Tuesday as market participants were encouraged to buy more shares ahead of the mid-term divided deadline due on Wednesday. At the same time, global growth concerns fuelled by dismal German Ifo business climate data restricted the upswing. The Nikkei 225 Index added 0.25% to close at 9,091.54. Six out of ten sectors within the index advanced. Financials and oil and gas companies led the gains. Bank of Yokohama, Fukuoka Financial Group and Resona Holdings moved higher by 1.58%, 1.26% and 2.15%, respectively. Among oil and gas firms, JX Holdings and Inpex rose 0.23% and 1.25% despite weaker crude oil prices. Basic materials producers also joined the rally, with Denki Kagaku Kogyo and Kuraray Co climbing 0.78% and 0.21%. On the downside were industrials, facing sharp losses after Caterpillar lowered its earnings forecast. Komatsu and Hitachi Construction Machinery tumbled 1.02% and 1.00%.