Nikkei ends up 2.8 pct

Japan8217;s Nikkei average jumped 2.8 per cent on Thursday,after a bullish forecast from US financial firm State Street raised optimism towards the earnings season and helped soothe sentiment bruised by recent fears about a slowdown in the global economy.

The benchmark Nikkei gained 256.09 points to 9,535.74,buoyed by short-covering from investors who believe the benchmark8217;s slide to a seven-month low this week was overdone.

The broader Topix advanced 2.3 per cent to 861.02.