The Nikkei Stock Average fell 200.43 points to close at 66,016.36 on the 21st, after sliding as much as 789.10 points shortly after the open. Fast Retailing was the largest drag, cutting about 222 points, while Advantest provided roughly 130 points of support. The index recovered above 66,000 as semiconductor, mining, oil and coal product, and shipping shares attracted buying, but remained lower amid higher crude oil prices, renewed gains in long-term interest rates, Middle East risks and caution ahead of Nvidia's May–July quarter earnings report on the 26th of next week. In foreign exchange, dollar-yen ended at 158.82 yen, with resistance near 159 yen, while EUR/USD stood at $1.1690 and euro-yen reached an intraday low of 185.57 yen. Preliminary August PMI (business activity survey) data from Germany and France showed stronger-than-expected manufacturing but weaker-than-forecast services. U.S. stocks had fallen sharply on the 20th, while FOMC (Federal Reserve policy committee) minutes reduced expectations for further rate hikes as recent inflation indicators moderated.