Markets

Nikkei edges up, helped by financials; adds 0.7 pct for the week

Published January 19, 2018 Updated January 19, 2018 07:38am

The Nikkei rose 0.2 percent to 23,808.06. For the week, it gained 0.7 percent.

Shares of internet and cryptocurrency firm GMO Internet climbed 4.7 percent after Hong Kong-based activist investor Oasis Management Co made proposals aimed at changing the company's governance, which included reducing the power of its founder.

Banks and insurers, which invest in high-yielding products, soared after yields on U.S. 10-year notes reached a 10-month high.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group advanced 1.4 percent and Mizuho Financial Group gained 0.8 percent. Sompo Holdings soared 2.0 percent and Dai-ichi Life Holdings gained 1.8 percent.

The broader Topix advanced 0.7 percent to 1,889.74.

Copyright Reuters, 2018