TOKYO (AFP) - Japanese shares may stabilise in the coming week if fresh US economic data shows evidence that the financial sector is regaining its health, analysts said Friday. Figures to be released from the US should generally be solid as oil prices continue to slide, said Takeshi Nomaguchi, senior strategist with Daiwa Securities. "Given that the crude oil futures market hit its peak in July and has been on a falling trend ever since, it is difficult to imagine the August consumer prices turning upward," he said. He said housing data should also remain generally flat from the previous month. "Considering all the likely factors, it is quite possible that the US economic data to be released would create a very market-friendly environment for stocks," he said. Global markets opened the past week with sigh a of relief following Washington's rescue package for ailing mortgage institutions Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The decision gave a strong one-day boost to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, although profit taking and US brokerage Lehman Brothers' failure to secure necessary capital depressed the index later in the week. Still, Japan's headline Nikkei-225 index managed to stay within positive territory, marking a gain of 2.53 points or 0.02 percent to 12,214.76 for the week. The broader Topix index of all first-section shares gained 6.39 points or 0.54 percent to 1,177.20. Market players are also looking to Japan's political developments as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is to hold an election on September 22 to replace Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. Front-runner Taro Aso, a conservative former foreign minister, has proposed new stimulus measures to buoy domestic demand as Asia's largest economy teeters on recession. The market will also look to US manufacturing data and a meeting Tuesday of the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee. Nomura Securities said in a memo to clients that the slew of US data and the Federal Reserve's assessment of the economy should provide clues for the market's outlook. "The impact of falling oil prices must be monitored carefully," Nomura said. "Players will also focus on possible changes in the FOMC's view on the balance between the economic strength and inflation," Nomura said. The brokerage house expected the Nikkei index to move between 11,800 and 12,500. The Tokyo market will be closed Monday for a national holiday. Trading will resume Tuesday.