Japan’s Nikkei Tracks Wall Street Rebound; Banks Lead Gains

TOKYO, Dec 22 (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average rose on Friday, on course for a second weekly gain, tracking a rebound on Wall Street overnight after U.S. data offered more evidence of a soft landing for the world’s largest economy.

The Nikkei .N225 added 0.22% to 33,212.35 as of 0216 GMT, setting it up for a 0.74% weekly advance. Of the Nikkei’s 225 components, 162 rose, 57 declined and six were flat.

Bank stocks .IBNKS.T paced gains among the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s industry sectors, adding 1.88%, recovering from the aftermath of the Bank of Japan’s decision on Tuesday to keep yield-suppressing stimulus in place and offering no hints on the timing of an exit.

The broader financials-heavy Topix .TOPX gained 0.45%. The Topix value share subindex .TOPXV added 0.56%, outpacing the growth share subindex’s .TOPXG 0.33%…