Tokyo stocks close higher on overseas stock gains

Tokyo stocks finished higher Wednesday, lifted by overnight gains on overseas markets amid rising expectations that the European Central Bank will decide to cut interest rates Thursday. The Nikkei Stock Average ended at 9,104.17, up 37.58 points, or 0.41%, according to (Nikkei.com). US and European stocks rose overnight on easing concerns about a US economic slowdown and on expectations for an ECB rate cut. This uptrend carried over into the Tokyo market. But once buying ran its course, the benchmark index stayed in a narrow range at the 9,100 level due to a lack of fresh incentives. On the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, 75 issues hit 2012 highs, the most since April 3, when 79 issues did so. Trading value on the first section reached 910 billion yen.