Tokyo: Stocks open up 0.10%

[TOKYO] Tokyo stocks opened 0.10 per cent higher on Tuesday following gains in US shares.

The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 20.33 points to 20,640.59 yen at the start.

In currency markets, the dollar was quoted at 124.44 yen, slightly up from 124.41 yen in New York late Monday.

The euro slid to US$1.1075 and 137.81 yen from US$1.1078 and 137.81 yen.

US shares rose Monday on gains by large equities including Apple, McDonalds and Disney, with the entertainment giant boosted by a weekend presentation on plans to add to theme parks attractions from the wildly popular Star Wars movie franchise.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.39 per cent, while the broad-based S&P 500 advanced 0.52 per cent.

Highlights this week include Wal-Mart earnings Tuesday and Wednesday's release of Fed minutes, which could shed light on the US central bank's timing for an interest rate increase, expected later this year.

AFP