Tokyo stocks open higher on hopes for pause in U.S. rate hikes

Tokyo stocks opened higher Monday, buoyed by speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve may pause its interest rate increases.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 39.81 points, or 0.12 percent, from Friday to 32,750.43. The broader Topix index was up 6.78 points, or 0.29 percent, at 2,356.53.

On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by marine transportation, transportation equipment and mining issues.

At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 146.06-07 yen compared with 146.21-31 yen in New York and 145.41-43 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Friday.

The euro was quo...