Market Yardsticks: Points and Stock Prices

market yardsticks: On Thursday, the benchmark index surged 236.59 points, according to The Japan Times. The Topix index of all first-section issues fell 5.51 points, or 0.40 percent, to 1,365.29, after rising 13.60 points the previous day. The 225-issue Nikkei average lost 50.91 points, or 0.30 percent, to end at 17,184.59. Despite Wall Street setback overnight, the Nikkei average opened higher thanks to buying inspired by the dollar ascent above ¥104. In the afternoon, however, the closely watched market yardsticks fell into negative territory and moved indecisively around the previous day closing levels, pressured by profit-taking amid a prevailing sense of market overheating after the recent consecutive gains and by selling to adjust positions prior to the weekend, brokers said. Stock prices attracted purchases also on hopes for better earnings at major Japanese companies, after earnings at Yaskawa Electric, released Thursday, turned out better than market expectations, brokers said. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.