Tokyo stocks open higher after Dow sets strong lead

TOKYO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened higher on Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at a fresh record high overnight bolstered investor sentiment in early trade.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 47.45 points, or 0.24 percent, from Monday to 19,972.63.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 7.00 points, or 0.43 percent, to 1,625.61.

Air transportation, bank and metal product-linked stocks comprised those that gained the most in the first few minutes after the opening bell.