TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share average shot to a record high on Thursday and the nation’s bonds rallied as financial markets reopened after holidays, catching up with optimism over strong technology earnings and signs of a potential peace deal in the Middle East.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index jumped 5.58 percent, the most in more than a year, to close at an unprecedented 62,833.84. The gauge reached as high as 63,091.14, breaking through the psychological level of 63,000 for the first time. The broader Topix climbed 3 percent to 3,840.49.
Japanese government bonds (JGBs) rose after a three-day trading break that saw the yen appreciate on suspected intervention by authorities in Tokyo.
The yen bought 156.375 per dollar, largely steady a day after a sprint to a 10-week high of 155 fuelled talk of further official support.
Wall Street indexes hit record highs overnight as positive results from Advanced Micro Devices propelled euphoria over the red-hot artificial intelligence sector. Iran said it is reviewing a US proposal to end the more than two-month war, while President Donald Trump said the US has had very good talks with Tehran.