Tokyo stocks surge, Nikkei index up 5%, on hopes for end to Iran war

Tokyo stocks surged Wednesday, with the Nikkei stock index ending over 5 percent higher, after investor sentiment improved on reports that both the U.S. and Iranian leaders have signaled that the war between the countries could end soon.The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 2,675.96 points, or 5.24 percent, from Tuesday at 53,739.68. The broader Topix index finished 173.04 points, or 4.95 percent, higher at 3,670.90.On the top-tier Prime Market, the main gainers were nonferrous metal, bank and machinery issues.The U.S. dollar briefly weakened to the lower 158 yen range in Tokyo, as bu…READ FULL ARTICLE