Tokyo: Stocks end 1.15% higher

[TOKYO]Tokyo shares closed 1.15 per cent higher on Thursday, recovering from an early dip after lacklustre US retail sales figures reinforced expectations the Federal Reserve will hold fire on raising interest rates until next year.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange advanced 205.90 points to close at 18,096.90, rising for the first time in three days with pharmaceutical stocks leading gains.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares rose 1.35 per cent, or 19.89 points, to 1,490.72.

AFP