Nikkei Rises to 5-Month High as Middle East Calm Boosts Tech Shares

TOKYO, June 26 (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average touched its highest in almost five months on Thursday, as a period of calm in the Middle East encouraged investors to buy back riskier assets, particularly chip and other high-tech shares.

The Nikkei climbed 1.7% to 39,584.58at the close and reached 39,615.59 at its highest point during the session, a level last seen on January 31.

Artificial intelligence-linked stocks stood out, with startup investor SoftBank Group climbing 5.5% and chip-testing equipment maker Advantest advancing 5.0%.