By Rocky Swift

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s Nikkei share average will likely ease off recent record highs toward year-end, according to strategists in a Reuters poll, though much depends on a fragile trade agreement with the United States.

Japan’s benchmark stocks index last week surpassed its previous intraday record, and traded as high as 43,876.42 this week.

The index is up more than 9% so far this year, but is forecast to slip back to 42,000 at the end of December, according to the median estimate of 18 analysts polled August 8-18.

The Nikkei joined global equity bourses in a steep dive in April after U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imports. As Trump backed down on deadlines and his administration worked out bilateral trade deals, many benchmarks recovered.

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