Share prices closed higher for the third straight trading day with the benchmark Nikkei index surging to a new peak in more than five years amid optimism the Japanese economy is recovering steadily, dealers said. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average finished the day up 149.59 points or 0.9 pct at 16,344.20, off a high of 16,445.56. This was its strongest close since Sept 20, 2000 when it ended at 16,458.31. The broader TOPIX index of all First Section shares edged up 9.83 points or 0.6 pct to 1,663.75, off its day-best of 1,673.18. Advancers outpaced losers 921 to 644, with 102 issues unchanged. Volume rose to 1.90 bln shares from 1.65 bln yesterday.