Nikkei extends winning streak to 14th straight day, equals 57-year-old market record

TOKYO, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The benchmark Nikkei stock index extended its winning streak for a 14th straight day on Friday, equaling a record rally booked 57 years ago, as a the yen's retreat against the U.S. dollar spurred buying on optimism for robust corporate earnings.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average edged up 9.12 points, or 0.04 percent, from Thursday to close the day at 21,457.64, marking its highest closing level since October 1996.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, rose 0.60 points, or 0.03 percent, to finish at 1,730.64.