Nikkei rises on hopes for tax cut and for share-buying by pension fund

Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:31am BST
TOKYO, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The Nikkei average snapped a
three-day losing streak on Thursday, lifted by a media report
saying the government might cut corporate taxes and on
speculation a huge state pension fund could increase how much it
invests in stocks.

The benchmark Nikkei advanced 1.2 percent to
14,799.12, after falling as much as 1.4 percent during the
session amid worries about a deadlock over its budget and debt
ceiling. The broader Topix gained 0.8 percent to
1,220.49 in to moderate trade, with 3.05 billion shares changing
hands.

FTSE100 little changed in early deals ahead of latest GDP data

GBP Current Account -13.0B -11.2B -21.8B

GBP Final GDP q/q 0.7% 0.7% 0.7%

GBP Revised Business Investment q/q -2.7% 0.9% 0.9%

FTSE100 remains little changed midday after dull UK data

USD Unemployment Claims 305K 319K 309K

USD Final GDP q/q 2.5% 2.7% 2.5%

USD Final GDP Price Index q/q 0.6% 0.8% 0.8%

USD Pending Home Sales m/m -1.6% -0.9% -1.3%

FTSE100 ends session modestly higher after upbeat US data