Nikkei stock index ends at fresh record high

The Nikkei index extended its winning streak to three trading days, closing at a fresh record high Thursday boosted by optimism about the U.S. economy after the Federal Reserve signaled three interest rate cuts for the year.The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 812.06 points, or 2.03 percent, from Tuesday at 40,815.66. It briefly hit a record intraday high of 40,823.32.The broader Topix index finished 45.24 points, or 1.64 percent, higher at 2,796.21, its highest level since January 1990.Japanese financial markets were closed Wednesday for a national holiday.On the top-tier Prime Mark…READ FULL ARTICLE