The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 0.03 per cent or 8.96 points at 29,726.79 in early trade, while the broader Topix index edged up 0.20 per cent or 3.84 points to 1,954.90. — AFP picTOKYO, March 15 — Tokyo stocks opened modestly higher today in cautious trade after a mixed close on Wall Street, with eyes on key global data and central bank meetings this week.
“Japanese shares are seen moving in a narrow range following mixed performance in US stocks, with profit-taking weighing” on the market, Toshiyuki Kanayama, senior market analyst at Monex, said in a commentary. Investors are also closely watching Chinese retail sales and industrial output due later during Tokyo trade today, and US manufacturing data later in the day, analysts said.In Tokyo, e-commerce giant Rakuten skyrocketed 20.72 per cent to a day-time upper limit of ¥1,503 and Japan Post gained 1.95 per cent to ¥1,045.5 after the companies confirmed reports that the two firms agreed to form a capital alliance.