Tokyo stocks rise on upbeat earnings

Tokyo shares ended higher on Thursday due to upbeat domestic earnings reports, although gains were capped as an unexpected rise in Japan's factory output data dispelled expectations of further easing by the Bank of Japan to a large extent.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 32.69 points, or 0.17 percent, from Wednesday to 18,935.71, a roughly two-month closing high, Xinhua news agency reported.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 0.08 point, or 0.01 percent, lower at 1,547.11.

Gainers were led by precision instruments, pharmaceuticals and machinery.

The turnover was about 3,406.9 billion yen (about $28.24 billion).