TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index ended at a record high Friday for the third straight day, as selling of some technology issues were offset by buying of wide-ranging shares amid hopes for economic-boosting policies under the Japanese government.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 96.88 points, or 0.16 percent, from Thursday to 58,850.27. The broader Topix index finished 58.34 points, or 1.50 percent, higher at 3,938.68, also a record high.

On the top-tier Prime Market, the main gainers were oil and coal product, mining and construction issues.

The U.S. dollar briefly weakened to the mid-155 yen level in Tokyo as the yen was bought after data showed Tokyo's core consumer price index in February was higher than expected, fueling speculation about an interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan, dealers said.

The index is seen as a leading indicator of Japan's nationwide consumer prices.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 156.08-10 yen compared with 156.09-19 yen in New York and 156.03-04 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The euro was quoted at $1.1815-1816 and 184.42-46 yen against $1.1792-1802 and 184.13-23 yen in New York and $1.1815-1817 and 184.36-40 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond was down 0.040 percentage point from Thursday's close at 2.110 percent, as the debt was bought after U.S. Treasury yields fell.

The Nikkei stock index dropped in the morning, as some heavyweight technology issues were pressured by declines among U.S. tech shares including Nvidia Corp. although the semiconductor giant reported stronger-than-expected earnings.

Semiconductor-related issues Advantest and Softbank Group notably declined as Nvidia's robust earnings failed to dispel concerns about the profitability of the artificial intelligence business, brokers said.

However, the market climbed as optimism over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's economic policies persisted, according to brokers.

"Shares related to data centers were sold to lock in gains, but the market was prevented from sliding as many other shares gained ground," said Toshikazu Horiuchi, equity strategist at IwaiCosmo Securities Co.