Nissan Stock Surges as Much as 24% in Biggest Jump for 50 Years

Nissan Motor Co.’s stock surged as much as 24% Wednesday, the most in at least five decades, on hopes that a potential tie-up with Honda Motor Co. will save the Japanese automaker from financial crisis.

The stock was the top performer on Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average, as investors welcomed the news for the ailing carmaker, whose shares had been performing their worst in 50 years under current leadership.