International News

TOKYO, Aug 19, (APP/AFP) – Tokyo stocks climbed in early
trade on Friday, tracking a positive lead from Wall Street and as a rally in oil prices lifted sentiment.
US equities ended modestly higher on Thursday, a day after minutes
from the Federal Reserve’s July meeting suggested policymakers were not yet ready to go ahead with an interest rate hike next month.
Petroleum-linked shares got a boost after crude prices extended their
rally Thursday following data showing a decline in US stockpiles, with Brent oil finishing above $50 a barrel for the first time in nearly two months.
In Tokyo, the jump in oil prices also boosted energy-linked shares,
with Inpex up more than three percent in early deals and refiner JX Holdings gaining more than two percent.