Nikkei stock index briefly tops 70,000 for 1st time since July

TOKYO - The Nikkei stock index briefly topped the 70,000 line on Monday for the first time since early July, led by heavyweight technology shares as fading expectations for a rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve lifted sentiment.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 1,637.40 points, or 2.40 percent, from Friday at 69,946.86. The broader Topix index finished 54.22 points, or 1.33 percent, higher at 4,145.22.