Tokyo stocks up on U.S. car rescue plan

Monday, 22 December 2008, 23:49 IST
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Tokyo: Stocks in Tokyo opened stronger Monday after the US announced to guarantee emergency loans to ailing U.S. automakers. Buoyed also by a weaker yen, the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average was up 121.9 points, or 1.42 percent, to 8,710.42. The broader Topix index of all first-section issues climbed by 12.77 points, or 1.53 percent, to 847.2. On Friday, US President George W. Bush agreed to a $17.4-billion emergency loan to keep the iconic US car industry alive, granting General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC a breathing space until March 31. On currency markets at 9 a.m. (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 89.52-57 yen, up from Friday's 5 p.m. quote of 88.92-94 yen. The euro was quoted at $1.3970-75, down from $1.4270-72, and at 125.05-10 yen, compared to 126.89-93 late Friday.
Source: IANS