Tokyo stocks open 0.54 percent higher

TOKYO: Tokyo stocks opened 0.54 percent higher on Tuesday following record-breaking advances on Wall Street.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 85.48 points to 15,955.90 at the start. "The Nikkei will be supported by US shares´ strong performance, continuing yen declining trend, and cash flow into risk assets on the back of globally low interest rates," said Hiroichi Nishi, general manager of equities at SMBC Nikko Securities.

"Amid thinning trade volume ahead of (the) holidays, a lack of strong sell pressures will also support the market," he added.

The dollar was at 104.13 yen early Tuesday compared with 104.11 yen in New York Monday afternoon.

The euro bought $1.3697 and 142.64 yen against $1.3695 and 142.58 yen in US trade. US stocks Monday jumped to new records after strong economic data gave new momentum to last week´s rally.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.45 percent to 16,294.61, while the broad-based S&P 500 advanced 0.53 percent to 1,827.99.

Both were new records, building on record closes from Friday.