Tokyo stocks open lower in early trading ahead of Japan earnings

Tokyo stocks opened slightly lower in early trading Monday as investors awaited earnings reports from major Japanese companies.

At 9:15 a.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 31.85 points, or 0.16 percent, from Friday to 19,988.19.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 2.56 points, or 0.16 percent, at 1,616. 28.

Major decliners included shipping, transportation equipment and insurance issues. Endi