February 2015

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 closed at a 15-year high on Thursday, sitting at a level last seen when Sony’s groundbreaking PlayStation 2 hit the shelves, the Dot-com bubble was collapsing and Bill Clinton still occupied the White House. The benchmark index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 0.36 percent, or 65.62 points, to 18,264.79, its best Read More

(Bloomberg) — Japan stocks rose, pushing the Nikkei 225 Stock Average to the highest close since May 2000, as the biggest banks jumped and Trend Micro Inc. and Sony Corp. gained. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Japan’s largest lender, climbed 3.6 percent to be the biggest support to the Topix index as banks led gains Read More

TOKYO, Feb 19 (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average rose to a 15-year high on Thursday morning, helped by gains in such stocks as financial and shipping companies. The Nikkei was up 0.6 percent at 18,307.25, its highest level since May 2000. The broader Topix added 0.6 percent to 1,491.05 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 gained Read More

TOKYO, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average closed at a fresh eight-year high on Wednesday after U.S. stocks rallied on hopes that a debt deal would be reached with Greece, while investors digested the Bank of Japan’s decision to keep policy unchanged. The Nikkei closed 1.2 percent higher at 18,199.17, the highest closing Read More

Derailed CSX train in West Virginia hauled newer-model tank cars An oil train was still on fire and leaking in West Virginia on Tuesday, a day after it derailed and erupted in flames, according to CSX Corp, which said the train was hauling newer model tank cars, not the older versions widely criticized as prone Read More

By Ayai Tomisawa TOKYO, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average rose to a fresh eight-year high on Wednesday after U.S. stocks rallied on hopes that a debt deal would be reached with Greece, while investors digested the Bank of Japan’s decision to keep policy unchanged. After the morning session closed, the BOJ maintained Read More

* Event-driven funds seen buying banking shares before BOJ decision – analyst * Nikkei’s next target seen at 18,261.98 – analysts By Ayai Tomisawa TOKYO, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average rose to a fresh eight-year high on Wednesday morning after U.S. stocks rallied on hopes that a debt deal would be reached Read More

Asian markets enjoyed a higher open on Wednesday, with Tokyo shares at a fresh eight-year high, following a positive lead from Wall Street overnight. However, trading volumes will likely be light ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, with markets in China, Taiwan and South Korea shuttered. Singapore and Malaysia will be open for a Read More

Stock prices retreated Tuesday, pressured by profit-taking a day after the Nikkei 225 average ascended to its highest closing level in seven years and seven months. The Nikkei lost 17.68 points, or 0.10 percent, to end at 17,987.09. On Monday, the key market gauge rose 91.41 points to close above 18,000 for the first time Read More