Japan's Nikkei index recovers to 40,000 level in three months

The Nikkei Index, the leading stock index of the Japanese stock market, recovered to the 40,000 level during the day for the first time in three months.

The Nikkei was 40,113 as of 2:01 p.m., up 1.28% from the previous trading day's close.

The Nikkei rose to 40,257 at one point during the session, the first time in three months the Nikkei has crossed the 40,000 mark since mid-July.

NHK said the weak yen was also seen as stimulating the buying trend of export stocks, saying that buying had flowed mainly in semiconductor and automobile-related stocks amid the spread of positive views on the U.S. economy.