Tokyo stocks: Nikkei make new highs above 17,000

Stocks continued to rise in Tokyo on Friday, with the key Nikkei stock average making a new record high after topping 17,000 line on the previous day.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 14.32 points, or 0.08 percent, to 17,059.66, its highest finish since Aug. 29, 2000.

The Tokyo Stock Price Index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 1.48 points, or 0.09 percent, to 1,728. 16.

Oil, wholesale, real estate and banking issues advanced, while marine transport, air transport, automaker and food issues lost ground

Mizuho Financial Group was the most heavily traded issue by value. It rose 8,000 yen to 963,000 yen.

Mitsubishi Motors was the day's volume leader, down 2 yen to 249 yen.

Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones 947 to 619, with 127 shares ending the day flat.

Trading volume on the TSE's main section decreased to 1,656.10 million shares from Thursday's 2,224.74 million shares.

The TSE's Second Section index rose 34.96 points, or 0.69 percent, to 5,082.86 on a volume of 78.20 million shares. In Osaka, the near-term June Nikkei 225 index futures contract fell 40 points to 17,020.

Source: Xinhua