TOKYO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended higher on Monday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index closing above the 60,000 mark for the first time, lifted by leading technology shares and optimism over a potential breakthrough in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 821.18 points, or 1.38 percent, from Friday at 60,537.36.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 18.69 points, or 0.5 percent, higher at 3,735.28.
On the top-tier Prime Market, electric appliance, nonferrous metal and machinery issues were among the notable gainers.
The Nikkei stock index pushed past the 60,000 line shortly after the market opened, buoyed by heavyweight technology shares tracking gains in their U.S. peers late last week.
The index then briefly dipped into negative territory as investors locked in profits, before regaining its footing and climbing to a fresh intraday high at 60,903.95, also lifting the Topix index into positive territory.
Strong corporate earnings results also supported market sentiment, though gains were partly trimmed toward the end of the day's trading. ■
