Tokyo  - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell below 8,000 to end morning trading Tuesday as concerns over the European economy spread.

The Nikkei index dropped 257.83 points, or 3.12 per cent, to 7,999.02.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was down 19.67 points, or 2.41 per cent, to 798.06.

On the currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 90.63-66 yen, up from Monday's 5 pm quote of 90.62-63 yen.

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Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average ended slightly higher in a mixed day of trading Monday on the back of Wall Street's rise before the weekend and a weaker yen.

But the Tokyo market lost momentum in the afternoon session in a wait-and-see mood ahead of Tuesday's inauguration of Barack Obama as the US president.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average edged up 26.7 points, or 0.32 per cent, to close at 8,256.85.

But the broader Topix index of all First Section issues dipped 0.16 points, or 0.02 per cent, to 817.73.

Indian equities belled the week on a positive note in line with global peers.

Metal, oil and select capital goods, power segments edged higher this morning, while realty, pharma and IT went down.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap index gained 0.78% and 0.76% respectively as a host of stocks from these segments climbed on keen buying enquiries.

Asian stocks also gained led by higher commodity prices. US plans to shore up the world’s largest economy, a weaker yen boosted the positive sentiments.

Tokyo  - Stocks opened higher Monday on Wall Street's Friday rises and a weaker yen.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average went up 62.92 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 8,293.07.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was up 3.04 points, or 0.37 per cent, to 820.93.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 91.19-24 yen, up from Friday's 5 pm quote of 90.29-32 yen. A weaker yen helps boost earnings of Japanese exporters and makes Japanese products cheaper overseas.

The benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended sharply positive on Friday (Jan 16) on the back of sustained buying action witnessed in index pivotals.

The uptrend was powered by oil & gas stocks followed by power, metal, PSU and bank stocks. Telecom stocks surged higher on sustained buying support. Capital goods stocks rallied.

Auto, IT and FMCG stocks got well after staying quiet till a little past mid afternoon. Pharmaceutical and consumer durables stocks zoomed during late trade, while realty stocks dropped.