Calculating that the fight was not worth further losses, and believing he had already sunk or damaged several American carriers, Kurita broke off the engagement at 09:20 with the order: "all ships, my course north, speed 20".
Han vurderede, at det ikke kunne betale sig at lide yderligere tab, og han troede at han allerede havde sænket eller beskadiget adskillige store amerikanske hangarskibe, så derfor afbrød kan kampen kl. 9.20 med ordren: "Alle skibe på min kurs nordpå, hastighed 20".