Tokyo investors look to support for share prices next week

TOKYO, Feb 7 (AFP): Tokyo investors are optimistic about next week following a rash of strong corporate earnings reports in Japan, and as fears of an immediate Greek crisis recede.

"While it depends on the US employment report, the market won't be in bad shape as we head into next week," Juichi Wako, a senior strategist at Nomura Holdings in Tokyo, told Bloomberg News.

"There are some noticeable bad earnings (but) on the whole the weaker yen is having an effect and we're seeing more upward revisions," he said, referring to Japan's corporate results season.


Soichiro Monji, chief strategist at Tokyo-based Daiwa SB Investments Ltd., also told the news agency: "Japanese companies are starting to see real earnings strength, not just from a weaker yen, so I think the general trend is for shares to rise."

On Friday, the Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange closed 143.88 points higher at 17,648.50. Over the week, the index fell 0.15 percent.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares edged up 0.50 percent, or 7.08 points, to 1,417.19. It added 0.15 percent for the week.

US payrolls data due to be released later Friday will be in focus for possible clues as to the US Federal Reserve's next move, with speculation the Fed could raise interest rates later this year.
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