Tokyo stocks end higher on energy shares amid caution before U.S. jobs data

Tokyo stocks closed higher on Friday as surging oil prices boosted energy-related issues, but gains were limited amid caution before the release of U.S. employment data later in the day. Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 83.56 points, or 0.22 percent, from Thursday at 38,635.62. The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 10.36 points, or 0.39 percent, higher at 2,694.07. On the stock market, gains were led by mining, and oil and coal product issues, as crude oil futures rose sharply on concerns over stable supply amid increasing tensions in the Middle East, analysts said. But advances were limited with investors refraining from chasing the upside as they awaited U.S. jobs data to gauge the health of the U.S. economy and the Federal Reserve's likely next moves, they added. Source: The Namibia News Agency