The Japanese Nikkei index rose for the eighth consecutive session, Tuesday, April 18, supported by gains made by banks on the back of positive US data, and the weakness of the yen supported exporters.
The Nikkei index rose 0.51% to close at 28,658.83 points, close to its highest level so far this year, in the longest streak of consecutive gains since March 2022.
The broader Topix index rose 0.69% to 2,040.89 points.
Chiba Bank led the gains on the Nikkei index, and its share jumped 3.38%, while Resona Holdings Bank rose 2.08%.
Mazda Motor Co. also rose 1.87% after the yen continued to decline for two days, to be trading near its lowest level in a month.
175 stocks rose on the Nikkei index, compared to a decline of 43 stocks.
Inbix Corp. shares fell 2.13%, leading the decline among energy stocks after the drop in oil prices in US trading.
Sega Sammy Holdings shares fell 2.78% after the company announced yesterday, Monday, its plans to acquire Rovio, maker of the Angry Birds game, for 706 million euros, equivalent to 776 million dollars.
