Nikkei jumps 3% on U.S. inflation data, yen firm vs. dollar

Tokyo's Nikkei index ended at a two-month high Friday after briefly soaring more than 3 percent as the yen remained firm versus the U.S. dollar, with U.S. inflation data fueling speculation the Federal Reserve may slow its pace of interest rate hikes.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 817.47 points, or 2.98 percent, from Thursday at 28,263.57. The index ended above the psychologically-important 28,000 mark for the first time since Sept. 13. The broader Topix index finished 41.10 points, or 2.12 percent, higher at 1,977.76.

On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by electric appliance, service and rubber product issues.

© Kyodo News