Tokyo stocks open lower on lack of fresh cues, BOJ speech eyed

Tokyo stocks opened lower Thursday as investors were dealing with a lack of fresh incentives and in a lackluster mood ahead of a central bank speech later in the day that might hold clues about the bank's plans to expand easing.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 28.78 points, or 0.17 percent, from Wednesday to 16,983.66.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 3.27 points, or 0.24 percent, to 1,346.26.

Notable early decliners were comprised by iron and steel, electric power and gas, and insurance-related stocks. Endit