* European GDP figures further help investor confidence

* Brokerage upgrades dominate market moves in holiday season

* Trend Micro, Hitachi Construction jump on rating upgrades

* Market up-trend continues but profit-taking likely

By Aiko Hayashi

TOKYO, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average hit its highest point in 10 months on Friday, with investor confidence further reinforced after Western Europe's two largest economies reported a surprising return to growth in the second quarter.

Germany and France ended their recessions in April-June, earlier than many policymakers and economists had expected, though U.S. data on retail sales and jobs disappointed. [ID:nLD375194] [nLD498855]

In a light news week due to the summer holiday season in Tokyo, ratings changes by brokerages dominated moves in the market.

Trend Micro (4704.T: Quote, Profile, Research) jumped after Nomura Securities hiked its rating on the maker of computer antivirus software to "buy" from "neutral", while Hitachi Construction Machinery (6305.T: Quote, Profile, Research) surged after Mitsubishi UFJ Securities raised its rating.