TOKYO, June 15 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average is
likely to edge up on Monday, buoyed by exporters such as Canon
Inc (7751.T: Quote, Profile, Research) on growing hopes for a global economic recovery, but
a lack of strong trading factors will limit gains.
The Dow .DJI and S&P 500 .SPX gained on Friday due to
buying of defensive sectors such as pharmaceuticals, with such
sectors likely to be strong in Tokyo as well, market players
said.

"Last week, the market gained on positive news such as
Chinese industrial production figures, which make it hard to deny
that the global economy is improving," said Kazuhiro Takahashi,
general manager of equities at Daiwa Securities SMBC.

"There are a number of U.S. indicators due out later in the
week, which the market will use to confirm trends. But today,
there won't be a lot of direction."

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 closed at 10,135.82 on Friday,
its first close above 10,000 in eight months. Market analysts
said it is expected to move between 10,050 and 10,250.

In a sign the market may start higher, Nikkei futures traded
in Chicago 2NKc1 gained 0.4 percent from their Osaka close of
10,140 JNIc1.
----------------------MARKET SNAPSHOT @ 2245 GMT ------------

INSTRUMENT LAST PCT CHG NET CHG
S&P 500 .SPX 946.21 0.14% 1.320
USD/JPY JPY= 98.39 -0.01% -0.010
10-YR US TSY YLD US10YT=RR 3.7916 -- 0.000
SPOT GOLD XAU= 934.9 -0.32% -3.000
US CRUDE CLc1 72.02 -0.03% -0.020
DOW JONES .DJI 8799.26 0.32% 28.34
-------------------------------------------------------------
> Defensives lift dow, S&P; tech weighs on Nasdaq [.N]
> Dollar rebounds after sell off, euro hurt by data [USD/]
> Bonds bask in afterglow of 30-year auction [US/]
> Gold hits 3-week low under $940 as dollar rises [GOL/]
> Oil falls on stronger dollar, profit-taking [O/R]
STOCKS TO WATCH

-- Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T: Quote, Profile, Research)

SMFG is seen raising more than 900 billion yen from a public
offering of common stock this month, with the final figure -- to
be set early this week -- possibly swelling to nearly 1 trillion
yen, the Nikkei business daily reported on Saturday.
[ID:nWNAB9376]

-- Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research)

Toyota is taking steps to boost its production capacity for
the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries used in its popular
Prius cars, the Nikkei business daily reported on Saturday.
[ID:nBNG435445]

-- Japan Tobacco Inc (2914.T: Quote, Profile, Research)

Japan Tobacco, the world's third-largest cigarette maker,
said on Friday it has agreed with Tribac Leaf Ltd to buy the
British tobacco leaf company's business operations.
[ID:nTFA006381]

-- Inpex (1605.T: Quote, Profile, Research)

Oil and gas field developer Inpex, and other oil-linked
shares, may retreat after oil fell from eight-month highs on
Friday as the dollar firmed and players took profits after a
three-day rally. [O/R]

-- Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T: Quote, Profile, Research)

Mitsubishi Corp and other trading firms may lose ground after
metals and oil prices retreated on Friday, with investors looking
to take profits after a recent rally.

(Reporting by Elaine Lies)