Tokyo stocks advance in morning on weak yen, hopes for U.S. tax hike

TOKYO, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks advanced Wednesday morning as a weaker yen versus the U.S. dollar helped lift exporters while hopes the United States will hike its interest rate next month also added broader support.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 94.59 points, or 0.48 percent, from Tuesday to 19,707.87.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 7.63 points, or 0.49 percent, to 1,572.85.

Bank, precision instrument and machinery- related issues comprised those that advanced the most by the morning break.