Share prices closed sharply higher for the third consecutive session, with the benchmark Nikkei index settling at its strongest level in more than five years, supported by optimism over the economy and a pullback in the yen, dealers said. Foreign investors led the buying spree, having placed net buy orders before the market opened for the third straight day. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average finished up 316.31 points or 2.0 pct at 15,957.57, its highest close since Oct 6, 2000 when it settled at 15,994.24. At one stage, the blue-chip index surged to an intraday peak of 16,010.17. The broader TOPIX index of all First Section shares edged up 22.39 points or 1.4 pct to 1,636.38, off a high of 1,641.86. Gainers swamped losers 1,215 to 377, with 75 issues unchanged. Volume rose to 2.58 bln shares from 2.17 bln shares yesterday.