Nikkei continues gains for the sixth session

Japan’s Nikkei rose for a sixth straight session on Tuesday, posting its longest winning streak since September, as rising oil prices boosted energy stocks, while financial services stocks gained on higher global bond yields.

The Nikkei closed up 1.48 percent to 27,224.11 points, after touching its highest level since February 17. Earlier in the month, it had fallen to a 16-month low of 24,681.74 points.

Shares of oil exploration companies led the gains, jumping 8.21 percent, followed by the insurance sector, which rose 4.74 percent thanks to the increase in US Treasury bond yields. The banking sector rose 3.33 percent.

Oil and gas company Inpex was the biggest gainer on the Nikkei index, up 8.63 percent.

The broader Topix index rose 1.28% to 1,933.74 points, and recorded its sixth consecutive session of gains.