Tokyo stocks close higher despite dismal macroeconomic statistics

TOKYO, Dec. 26 (Chinese media) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher Friday as investors

brushed aside grim macroeconomic statistics.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Average advanced 140.02 points, or 1.63 percent,

to 8,739.52.

The broader Topix index went up 10.56 points, or 1.26

percent, to 846.58.

On the First Section, advancing issues outnumbered declining ones 1,176 to

374, with 130 others remaining unchanged.

Volume and value leader GS Yuasa, a battery maker, lost 9 yen, or nearly 2

percent, to 506 yen.

Trading volume on the main section expanded to 1,129.39 million shares from

998.32 million Thursday.

The TSE's Second Section index increased 13.21 points, or 0.69percent, to

1,919.93 on a volume of 27.42 million shares.

On the Osaka Securities Exchange, the near-term March Nikkei 225 index

futures contract gained 70 points to 8,730.