The benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 0.58 per cent, or 175.56 points, to 30,292.19, while the broader Topix index slipped 0.18 per cent, or 3.59 points, to 1,961.49. — Reuters picTOKYO, Feb 17 ― Tokyo stocks closed lower today on profit-taking, taking a pause after recent rallies.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 0.58 per cent, or 175.56 points, to 30,292.19, while the broader Topix index slipped 0.18 per cent, or 3.59 points, to 1,961.49. “It is natural to see profit-taking after the Nikkei rose so fast in the past few weeks,” said Shinichi Yamamoto, a broker at Okasan Securities in Tokyo.“Although investors tend to lock in profits at this level, the market is expected to remain bullish for now,” he said.Toyota fell 0.
Japan logged a trade deficit of ¥323.9 billion in January, according to finance ministry data released shortly before the opening bell. The figure ― compared with market expectations of a 625 billion yen deficit ― did not prompt a strong reaction in the market. ― AFP