Tokyo shares open higher

Tokyo: Tokyo shares opened higher on Wednesday with the Nikkei index reaching a roughly nine-and-a-half-month intraday high, as US stocks climbed overnight on upbeat US retail sales data and oil prices rebound.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average jumped 173.78 points, or 0.98 per cent, from Tuesday to 17,841.93, Xinhua news agency reported.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange leapt 14.41 points, or 1.03 per cent, to 1,417.39.

Gainers were led by banking, mining and air transportation issues.

IANS