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TOKYO, Apr 27 (Reuters) The Nikkei average rose 0.34 on Thursday as shares in Honda Motor Co. Ltd. surged to a lifetime high after it more than doubled its quarterly profit and announced a stock split.

Daiwa Securities Group Inc. climbed after its quarterly profit nearly tripled, but shares of Shiseido Co. Ltd. slid after the cosmetics maker's profit forecast came short of expectations.

The Nikkei finished up 58.61 points at 17,114.54, extending gains into a third session.

The TOPIX index ended up 0.35 percent at 1,729.37.

($1=114.73 Yen) REUTERS CS SND1155