Japan's Nikkei Stock Average jumps after Nvidia beats estimates

TOKYO -- The Nikkei Stock Average rallied on Thursday morning after a strong earnings report by U.S. chipmaker Nvidia raised expectations of a continued boom in semiconductor investment.

The Japanese benchmark index opened 245.91 points higher at 38,508.07, before extending gains to over 500 points. It is on track for its first rise in four trading days. Semiconductor stocks such as equipment makers Tokyo Electron and Advantest led the rally in the broader index.