Tokyo: Stocks end at two-decade high on upbeat earnings

[TOKYO] Tokyo's Nikkei stock index hit a fresh 21-year high on Friday on the back of upbeat Japanese corporate earnings, but Kobe Steel plunged again on a widening quality control scandal.

The benchmark index rose 0.96 per cent, or 200.46 points, to close at 21,155.18, the highest level since November 1996 and its ninth consecutive positive session. The broader Topix index was up 0.50 per cent or 8.49 points, at 1,708.62.

AFP