Japanese stocks close higher amid positive financial sector performance

Japanese stocks rose at the end of the first trading session of the week on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, amid positive financial sector performance, following the release of economic growth data that strengthened the chances of the central bank continuing to raise interest rates.

The Japanese Nikkei 225 index ended today’s session with a marginal increase of 0.06%, or 24.82 points, to reach 39,174.25 points.

The broader Topix index closed higher by 0.28%, or 7.69 points, to close at 2,766.90 points.

Official data showed that Japan’s gross domestic product grew by 2.8% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to expectations of an increase of only 1%.