Nikkei up 4.9% in 2021, highest year-end finish since 1989

The benchmark Nikkei stock index on Thursday saw its highest year-end finish since 1989, with global monetary easing and solid earnings of manufacturers contributing to a 4.9 percent rise from a year before, despite lingering concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.In the final trading session of the year, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 115.17 points, or 0.40 percent, from Wednesday at 28,791.71, but it marked the third straight year of increase. Japanese financial markets will be closed from Friday through Monday for the New Year holidays.The broader Topix index of all First…READ FULL ARTICLE