Tokyo stocks almost flat in early trading as autos decline

This Oct. 1, 2020 file photo shows the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (Mainichi)

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Tokyo stocks were almost flat early Friday, as falls in automaker issues erased gains driven by Wall Street advances overnight.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 24.90 points, or 0.06 percent, from Thursday to 39,761.00. The broader Topix index was up 1.92 points, or 0.07 percent, at 2,830.91.

On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by bank, electric power and gas, while main decliners were marine transportation and insurance issues.

At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 144.71-72 yen compared with 144.88-98 yen in New York and 143.86-88 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The euro was quoted at $1.1768-1771 and 170.28-35 yen against $1.1751-1761 and 170.36-46 yen in New York and $1.1800-1802 and 169.76-80 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.