Nikkei closes at a two-week high after retail sales data boosted Wall Street

Japan’s Nikkei hit a two-week closing high on Wednesday and major tech stocks led the way after US stocks closed significantly higher overnight on strong retail sales data.

The Nikkei index closed up 0.94 percent at 26,911.20 points, after briefly exceeding the 27,000 points level, its highest closing level since May 6.

The broader Topix index rose 0.96 percent to 1,884.69 points.

US stocks closed significantly higher overnight, boosted by shares of Apple, Tesla and other major companies after retail sales data in April dispelled fears of slowing economic growth.

In Japan, Tokyo Electron was the biggest supporter of the Nikkei index, rising by 2.86 percent, followed by NTT Data, which jumped 4.35 percent.

Shares of 165 companies rose and shares of 57 companies fell on the Nikkei index.