The key Nikkei stock index made the biggest one-day gain in 10 weeks Wednesday as shares staged a broad rally led by banks, oil and other issues that recovered from recent weakness.

Ending its three-day losing streak, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 390.42 points, or 2.51 percent, to end at 15,947.87.

The Tokyo Stock Price Index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 41.63 points, or 2.69 percent, to 1, 591.04.

A total of 1,559 issues advanced against 94 declining, with 35 ending the day unchanged.

Softbank was the most heavily traded issue by value, rising 20 yen to 2,210 yen.

Nippon Steel was the day's volume leader, up 16 yen to 479 yen.

Trading volume on the TSE's main section increased to 1,539.43 million shares from Tuesday's 1,252.21 million shares.

The TSE's Second Section rose 22.81 points, or 0.55 percent, to 4,159.18 on a volume of 35.44 million shares. In Osaka, the near- term December Nikkei 225 index futures contract rose 360 points to 15,940.

Source: Xinhua