Tokyo:Japan’s Nikkei index ended slightly lower on Wednesday, impacted by a downturn in semiconductor stocks following the earnings report from Dutch chipmaking equipment manufacturer ASML.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Nikkei index dropped by 0.05 percent to 67,744.29 points, despite an earlier rise of 0.93 percent during the session. Meanwhile, the broader Topix index decreased by 0.34 percent to 4,096.78 points.

Shares of Tokyo Electron fell by 2.73 percent, and Advantest shares saw a slight decline of 0.05 percent. Conversely, Fujikura, a fiber-optic cable manufacturer, experienced a 2.56 percent increase, and Taiyo Yuden shares surged by 3.59 percent.

Bank stocks negatively affected the Topix index, with Mizuho Financial Group shares dropping by 2.87 percent, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group shares decreasing by 1.94 percent, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group shares falling by 1.85 percent.

On the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime Market, 57 percent of listed companies’ shares declined, while 38 percent rose, and 3 percent remained unchanged.