Tokyo stocks open up 1.14 percent

A man looks at the share price of Japan Airlines on an electronic stock board after a ceremony to mark its relisting at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo. AP FILE PHOTO

TOKYO– Tokyo stocks opened 1.14 percent higher on Friday after gains on Wall Street on solid US economic data.

The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange was up 102.35 points at 9,049.22 at the start.

“A reasonably weak yen, combined with the confluence of positive overseas economic signals, should allow stocks to post some gains,” said Hiroichi Nishi, general manager of equities at SMBC Nikko Securities.

He put the benchmark Nikkei’s range for Friday at 9,000-9,100, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Some buoyant data on consumer confidence and the manufacturing sector gave Wall Street a solid bump higher Thursday after the previous day’s flat reopening following the Hurricane Sandy shutdown.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished solidly higher at 13,232.62, a gain of 136.16 points (1.04 percent).

The euro bought $1.2945 and 103.84 yen, up from $1.2940 and 103.69 yen in New York late Thursday.

The dollar was trading at 80.21 yen against 80.13 yen in US trade.