Toshikazu Horiuchi and Tokyo Stock Exchange

Tokyo Stock Exchange: The Tokyo Stock Exchange s key index ended up 65.62 points, or 0.36 percent, from Wednesday at 18,264.79, its highest close since May 2000. It briefly rose to as high as 18,322.50, the highest intraday level since mid-2000, according to The Japan Times. Many companies are increasing shareholder returns, proof that they are less worried about Japan slipping back into deflation, said Toshikazu Horiuchi, an equity strategist at IwaiCosmo Securities Co. That s good news, especially to overseas investors and The Nikkei 225 stock average came close to a 15-year high Thursday, bolstered by optimism about the economy. The Topix index, which covers all first-section issues, finished 12.26 points, or 0.83 percent, higher at 1,494.93. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.