Tokyo Stocks End Nearly Flat

Tokyo stocks ended almost flat Tuesday as investors continued to lock in gains after recent rallies, with overseas trading muted amid the closure of US markets the previous day, Kyodo News reported.

Photo Insert: The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 18.49 points, or 0.06 percent, from Monday at 33,388.91.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 18.49 points, or 0.06 percent, from Monday at 33,388.91. The broader Topix index finished 6.65 points, or 0.29 percent, lower at 2,283.85.

Decliners were led by insurance, iron and steel, and electric power and gas issues, Mainichi Japan also reported.

The US dollar remained firm in the upper 141 yen range after falling back from a seven-month high of 142.26 in Tokyo.

The dollar has been supported by growing expectations that the interest rate differential between Japan and the US will continue to widen after the Bank of Japan announced last week it would stick with its ultraloose monetary policy.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 141.77-78 yen compared with 141.80-90 yen in London at 4 p.m. and 141.84-85 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Monday.

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