Nikkei to edge higher, support pledged for Greece

TOKYO, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average is set
to edge higher on Friday, with exporters likely to rise in the
wake of a pledge from European leaders to support debt-laden
Greece which eased fears of a broader euro zone crisis.

European leaders said on Thursday they had struck a deal to
help heavily-indebted Greece, an unprecedented move to stave off
a broader crisis in the 16-nation bloc that shares the euro
single currency. But no details were announced. [ID:nEUROPEAND]

Analysts said that while concerns about risk aversion had
been eased enough to help all three Wall Street indexes rise more
than 1 percent, there were still many uncertainties about the
fiscal outlook for Europe.

"Certainly people are giving lots of verbal support to
Greece, but we still don't have anything in the way of concrete
details," said Yutaka Miura, senior technical analyst at Mizuho
Securities.

"Plus Greece is not the only country with problems and all
the issues in Europe haven't been solved. So this will keep gains
limited."

Resource shares are also likely to be strong after China
reported a jump in lending and slower inflation. Copper rallied
to a two-week high and other metals gained across the board.
[ID:nLDE61A15G]

Data from China, the world's top metals consumer, on Thursday
showed banks made a stronger-than-forecast 1.39 trillion yuan of
loans in January, while consumer inflation moderated more than
expected in the year to January. [ID:nTOE61A00V]

Investors will watch Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), though
market players said that until a U.S. Congressional hearing is
held later this month many are likely to adopt a wait-and-see
attitude. U.S.-listed Toyota shares (TM.N) edged up 0.4 percent.

In an effort to regain its standing with customers, Toyota
will begin to publicise all recognised vehicle problems and not
just those that lead to recalls, the Yomiuri newspaper reported
on Friday.

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 is likely to move between 9,900
to 10,100, market players said. It closed at 9,963.99 on
Wednesday.

Tokyo markets were closed for a holiday on Thursday.

In a sign that shares are likely to start higher, Nikkei
futures traded in Chicago 2NKc1 closed at 10,075, up 0.9
percent from the Osaka close on Wednesday. JNIc1
----------------------MARKET SNAPSHOT @ 2255 GMT ------------

INSTRUMENT LAST PCT CHG NET CHG
S&P 500 .SPX 1078.47 0.97% 10.340
USD/JPY JPY= 89.72 -0.02% -0.020
10-YR US TSY YLD US10YT=RR 3.7212 -- 0.006
SPOT GOLD XAU= 1092.15 -0.34% -3.700
US CRUDE CLc1 75.28 0.00% 0.760
DOW JONES .DJI 10144.19 1.05% 105.81
-------------------------------------------------------------
> EU's backing of Greece, data boost Wall Street [.N]
> Euro falls broadly as Greece deal offers few details [USD/]
> Greek aid hits bonds as US 30-year sale disappoints [US/]
> Gold hits one-week high on fears over currencies [GOL/]
> Oil climbs above $75 on Greece aid [O/R]

STOCKS TO WATCH

-- Promise Co Ltd 8574.T

Consumer finance firm Promise expects its outstanding loan
balance to shrink by about 30 percent in the next three years due
to stricter regulations, the company's president said on
Wednesday. [ID:nTKG006646]

-- Nippon Steel (5401.T), Nippon Denko (5563.T)

Nippon Steel said on Wednesday that it will raise its stake
in Nippon Denko Co (5563.T) to 15 percent from 9.5 percent as
part of an alliance between the two firms. [ID:nTFA006597]

-- Honda Motor Co (7267.T)

Honda said on Wednesday it expects its sales growth in China
to slow in 2010 following a surge last year after Beijing
introduced emergency steps to promote new car sales.

Yoichi Hojo, chief financial officer of Japan's No.2
carmaker, also told Reuters in an interview that the company's
global recall of about 440,000 vehicles including the Accord and
Civic sedans would likely cost it about 2 billion yen to 3
billion yen ($22 million to $33 million). [ID:nTOE61802U]

-- Kirin Holdings (2503.T)

The new president of Kirin said he would actively pursue
acquisitions and alliances to drive earnings growth after talks
with rival brewer Suntory [SUNTH.UL] on a merger fell apart.
[ID:nTOE6190AX]
(Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)