Japan's Nikkei soars on optimism over end to U.S. rate hikes

TOKYO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index closed sharply higher Wednesday on buying spurred by optimism as U.S. inflation data fuelled hopes of an end to interest rate hikes.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 823.77 points, or 2.52 percent, from Tuesday at 33,519.70.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 27.93 points, or 1.19 percent, higher at 2,373.22.

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