TOKYO, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher Wednesday as the market was in an upbeat mood following robust overseas and domestic corporate earnings, but gains were capped as investors hit the sidelines ahead of the conclusion of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy meeting later in the day.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 94.96 points, or 0.48 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 20,050.16.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 3.81 points, or 0.24 percent, to finish at 1,620.88.
Nonferrous metal, iron and steel, and mining-linked issues comprised those that advanced the most by the close of play, and rising issues outpaced those that fell by 952 to 939 on the First Section.
Local brokers said the yen's soft tone as markets here opened spurred buying of exporter issues, with confidence bolstered by robust second quarter earnings reports from U.S. firms and consumer confidence data that came in above expectations.
The mood was further brightened by solid earnings from major domestic firms for the April-June period, they added.
Traders here said, however, that the market's upside was capped on investor caution ahead of the conclusion of the Fed's two-day policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee meeting to be announced later today.
On the main section on Wednesday, 1,727.77 million shares changed hands, rising from Tuesday's volume of 1,497.56 million shares.
The turnover on the third trading day of the week totaled 2,196.5 billion yen (19.64 billion U.S. dollars).
