Tokyo shares open higher on upbeat U.S. data, oil price spike

Tokyo shares opened higher Wednesday with the Nikkei index reaching a roughly nine-and-a-half-month intraday high, as U.S. stocks climbed overnight on upbeat U.S. retail sales data and oil prices rebound.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average jumped 173.78 points, or 0.98 percent, from Tuesday to 17,841.93.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange leapt 14.41 points, or 1.03 percent, to 1,417.39.

Gainers were led by banking, mining and air transportation issues. Endit