Tokyo stocks advance in morning after major bourses rise, U.S. economic outlook lifts mood

Tokyo stocks advanced Wednesday morning as the market mood was lifted by the overnight rise of major bourses, coupled with signs the U.S. housing market and consumer confidence are both improving.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 61.78 points, or 0.33 percent, from Tuesday to end the morning at 19,044.01, while the broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange gained 4.81 points, or 0.31 percent, to finish the morning at 1,548.20.

Notable gainers by the break comprised foods, electric machinery and precision instrument-linked stocks. Enditem