Nikkei stock index ends at record high on strong Micron earnings

TOKYO - The Nikkei stock index ended at a fresh record high on Thursday, surging over 4 percent, as investors chased further gains following surprisingly strong earnings from U.S. tech giant Micron Technology Inc. and a drop in crude oil futures.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 3,191.37 points, or 4.61 percent, from Wednesday at 72,366.34. The broader Topix index finished 52.71 points, or 1.33 percent, higher at 4,016.47.