This file photo shows the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (Mainichi)
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Tokyo stocks opened almost flat Thursday, as gains supported by advances on Wall Street overnight were offset by selling of semiconductor-related issues.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 3.95 points, or 0.01 percent, from Wednesday to 40,798.81. The broader Topix index was up 3.47 points, or 0.12 percent, at 2,970.04.
On the top-tier Prime Market, the main gainers were retail and insurance shares, while decliners were led by machinery and pharmaceutical issues.
At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 147.18-20 yen compared with 147.30-40 yen in New York and 147.55-57 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.1662-1663 and 171.64-71 yen against $1.1655-1665 and 171.72-82 yen in New York and $1.1581-1582 and 170.88-92 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.
AloJapan.com