Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 1.8% to 40,285.25, as shares in automakers and other major exporters rose. A weak yen boosts profits for exporters and companies with big operations overseas when they convert their earnings into yen.

Indexes fell in their first trading day after Christmas as traders hope for a so-called Santa Clause rally to propel markets higher into the new year.

Wall Street's main indexes drifted lower in light trading volumes on Thursday, as rising yields pressured some shares, while investors looked for a year-end boost from the so-called Santa Claus rally.

Dan Ives' supply chain checks indicate that consumers like Apple's AI strategy, suggesting that the iPhone 16 cycle could be "a historical one."

Apple shares closed at an all-time high Thursday after Wedbush analysts raised their price target for the stock, telling clients they expect the iPhone maker could be headed for a "golden era of growth" driven by demand for artificial intelligence.

Apple is on the cusp of an artificial-intelligence-fueled “golden era of growth,” Wedbush analysts argued Thursday as they raised their price target on shares of the tech giant. The analysts increased their price target to $325,