Global markets: Led by gains in key Japanese companies — Hitachi, Sony and Nintendo among others — the country’s flagship Nikkei index gained over 1% on Friday, May 23. Falling US bond yields and a weaker yen supported the sentiment. Despite the gains, Japan’s Nikkei index was on track to break its four-week winning streak, according to a Reuters report.

Nikkei 225 index gained as much as 1.04% in trade today to hit the day’s high of 37,371.5 as against its last close of 36,985.87.