Tokyo stocks end higher Tuesday

Tokyo stocks finished higher Tuesday, extending its gains to four straight sessions, as rises in China-linked issues on hopes for the country's economic stimulus measures drove up the overall market. The Nikkei Stock Average closed 63.93 points, or 0.74%, higher at 8,657.08, the day's high. It was the first time in five sessions for the benchmark index to surpass the 8,600 mark and the first time for the gauge to advance for four straight sessions since the five-session streak through March 19, (Nikkei) website reported. Selling was heavy in early trade on concerns about the financial situation in Spain. But expectations that China may step up economic stimulus measures lifted China-linked issues in Tokyo, which sparked purchases of issues sensitive to economic trends, such as machinery makers, steelmakers and trading firms. The trading value on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange remained low, at 937.8 billion yen, staying below 1 trillion yen for a third straight session.