Tokyo stocks continued higher on Thursday, with the Nikkei Stock Average rising 41.57 points, or 0.44%, to end the day at 9,595.57, its highest level since August 4. Investors sold carmakers, banks and other blue chips to lock in recent gains, but bargain hunters gradually started buying stocks on dips. Brokerages, meanwhile, surged amid an overall improvement in market sentiment. Property developers also advanced, after surveys showed that land prices have stopped falling. These positive factors supported the entire market, with the Nikkei Stock Average briefly surpassing 9,600.