Japan's Nikkei closes at record high

Japan's benchmark Nikkei share average closed at a record high on Friday, posting its biggest monthly gain in four months, as investors bet on corporate earnings strength, reports Reuters.
The Nikkei reversed early losses to end up 0.16% at 58,850.27.
The index jumped 10.4% in February - its strongest monthly performance since October 2025 - after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's landslide election win.
The broader Topix rose 1.5% to 3,938.68 and also jumped 10.4% for the month, marking its biggest monthly gain since November 2020.
Fast Retailing, owner of the Uniqlo brand, rose 1.62%, making the biggest contribution to the Nikkei's gain. Sony Group climbed 7.2%, providing the largest boost to the Topix.
Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest fell 4.53%, weighing on the Nikkei the most, after Nvidia slipped 5.5% overnight and dragged other US chip stocks lower.