Tokyo stocks open higher on Wall St. gains

Tokyo stocks opened higher Tuesday, lifted by overnight rises on Wall Street amid speculation that a likely Republican victory in U.S. midterm elections would make it difficult for Democratic President Joe Biden to implement planned tax hikes.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 214.54 points, or 0.78 percent, from Monday to 27,742.18. The broader Topix index was up 12.84 points, or 0.66 percent, at 1,946.93.

On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by marine transportation, real estate and precision instrument issues.

At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 146.61-64 yen compared with 146.58-68 yen in New York and 147.51-54 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Monday.

The euro was quoted at $1.0016-0020 and 146.84-93 yen against $1.0016-0026 and 146.89-99 yen in New York and $0.9925-9927 and 146.42-46 yen in Tokyo late Monday afternoon.

© Kyodo News