Nikkei ends at fresh 26-year high as Nasdaq's rise bolsters sentiment

TOKYO, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks finished higher Tuesday with the benchmark Nikkei stock index closing at a fresh 26-year high as market sentiment here was buoyed by the Nasdaq Composite Index rising overnight.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 135.46 points, or 0.57 percent, from Friday to close the day at 23,849.99, marking its highest close since Nov. 15, 1991.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 8.95 points, or 0.48 percent, to finish at 1,889.29.

Electric appliance, real estate and securities-oriented stocks comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.

Markets here were closed on Monday for a national holiday.