Tokyo: Stocks end above 18,000 for first time in 7 years

[TOKYO] Tokyo's main stock index closed above 18,000 for the first time in more than seven years on Monday, after official data showed Japan emerged from recession in the last quarter of 2014.

The Nikkei 225 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 0.51 per cent, or 91.41 points, to finish at 18,004.77, breaching the psychologically key level for the first time since July 2007.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares climbed 0.69 per cent, or 10.05 points, to 1,459.43.

Shortly before markets opened, government figures showed the world's number three economy limped out of recession with growth of 0.6 per cent in the October-December quarter. Forecasts had been for a 0.9 per cent expansion.

AFP