Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks extended the week's positive trend Friday as hopes for a global recovery rose after the London Group of 20 summit of influential world leaders.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average index was up 49.94 points, or 0.57 per cent, to 8,769.72 by mid-trading.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also rose 7.29 points, or 0.88 per cent, to 833.98.

Investors were encouraged by the reassurances of the G20 leaders to pull out all stops to kick-start the slowing global economy.

New York  - US and global stocks surged Thursday as a summit of the world's major industrial and emerging powers agreed on a more than 1-trillion-dollar aid package to help revive the global economy.

Major stock indices in the US climbed nearly 3 per cent and the Euro Stoxx index surged more than 5 per cent on the Group of 20 (G20) deal in London.

Taipei - Taiwan's sto

Sydney  - Australian stocks took heart from s

Seoul - Shares jumped Thursday

Tokyo  - Tokyo stocks extended its gains Thursday with key indices rising more than 3 per cent on optimistic US economic data.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average index surged 251.58 points, or 3.01 per cent, to 8,603.49.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also rose 25.7 points, or 3.24 per cent, to 819.52.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 98.50-55 yen, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 98.60-63 yen.