Tokyo stocks retreat in early trading on Wall Street's losses, drop in oil prices

Tokyo stocks retreated in early trading Tuesday as investor sentiment was dampened by overnight losses on Wall Street, compounded by fresh concerns over a drop in crude oil prices.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 48.46 points, or 0.26 percent, from Monday to 18,824.89, while the broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 4.36 points, or 0.29 percent, at 1,524.86.

Early decliners comprised iron and steel, mining and utilities-linked stocks. Endit