Tokyo stock rise as other Asian markets closed for holidays

TOKYO (AP) - Asian trading was quiet with most markets closed for the Lunar New Year holidays Friday, and Tokyo shares continued to rise on recent optimism about an economic recovery.

KEEPING SCORE: Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.3 percent to 18,323.17 in morning trade, building on the upbeat mood that marked the previous day, when it closed at a nearly 15-year high. Japan has been pushing ahead with export-encouraging policies such as the cheap yen. Toyota was up 0.8 percent. Softbank gained 1 percent, and Canon added 0.3 percent. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 edged down 0.5 percent to 5,873.80. Other regional markets were closed for the holidays.

WALL STREET: Standard & Poor's 500 index ended the day down 2.23 points, or 0.11 percent, at 2,097.45. The index is still within a fraction of the all-time high of 2,100.34 reached on Tuesday. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 44.08 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,985.77. The Nasdaq composite rose 18.34 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,924.70.

CURRENCIES: The U.S. dollar was down slightly against the yen, trading at 118.92 yen, but little changed against the euro at $1.1369.