Japanese Stocks Up 0.75%, Despite Chinese Rate Hike

Despite an interest rate hike in China, an improving economic outlook in the United States helped send Japanese stocks climbing higher during the Monday trading session. The Nikkei 225 index of Japanese stocks opened Monday trading at 10,292.84, which was slightly above the previous trading day's close at 10,279.19. The Nikkei 225 opened the trading session in positive territory and spent most of the day steadily climbing upward before a slight dip during afternoon trading. The Nikkei 225 index ended the Monday trading session up 76.80 points, or 0.75%, at 10,355.99. The day's range for the Japanese stock index moved between 10,292.84 and 10,376.91. Investors who would like to invest in Japanese equities might want to consider the iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund EWJ, which uses a representative sampling strategy to try to track the MSCI Japan index. Those who are bullish on Japanese stocks should take a look at the ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan Index Fund EZJ, which seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice the daily performance of the MSCI Japan Index. If you think that Japanese stocks are headed lower, consider the ProShares UltraShort MSCI Japan Fund EWV, which seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice the inverse of the daily performance of the MSCI Japan index. Read more from Benzinga's ETF news.