Tokyo stocks end lower over tech weakness, profit-taking

Alsharq Tribune-Otaify 

Tokyo stocks ended lower Thursday, pressured by weak semiconductor and technology shares and investors locking in recent gains.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 666.18 points, or 1.35 percent, from Wednesday at 48,641.61.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 12.65 points, or 0.39 percent, lower at 3,253.78.

On the stock market, heavyweight chip and tech issues were weighed down by renewed worries of global trade tensions, analysts said.

Investors also sold to lock in gains after the benchmark Nikkei climbed near 50,000 on Tuesday on hopes for the new administration led by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a proponent of boosting fiscal spending to spur growth.