Japan's Nikkei hits historic 60,000 milestone. Tokyo's benchmark index closed at 60,537 today, marking the first time it has surpassed the 60,000 mark. The index gained 1.38% during the session and has now climbed 18.6% year-to-date, driven primarily by strong corporate earnings and optimism around artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks. Factory automation companies Keyence and Fanuc led the rally after both reported better-than-expected profits, with shares surging nearly 16% to hit daily trading limits. Geopolitical tensions eased slightly after reports of renewed diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States, helping sentiment recover from an early market dip. Analysts warn that profit-taking could emerge around the psychological 60,000 level as investors lock in gains.
