World Stocks Markets.

Byline: S. KAMAL HAYDER KAZMI

world stock markets in December 2022- Nikkei set for eighth weekly gain

Japanese stocks rose on Friday, with the benchmark Nikkei index set for an eighth straight weekly gain, as U.S. lawmakers approved a plan to raise the debt limit and on signs central bankers are in no hurry to tighten the monetary policy.

SoftBank Group Corp surged 5.4 percent amid speculation its chip unit will benefit from a boom in artificial intelligence investment. Dai-Ichi Life Holdings Inc leapt 3.55 percent, leading insurers higher as risks of financial catastrophe from a U.S. default eased.

The Nikkei index rose 0.76 percent to 31,384.93 at the midday break, edging closer to a three-decade high touched earlier this week. The broader Topix rose 1.07 percent to 2,172.36.

Major U.S. equity indexes...