Tokyo stocks edge down in morning on U.S. shares' drop, trade data limits losses

Tokyo stocks edged lower Monday morning after swinging in and out of positive and negative territory, as a drop in U.S. shares at the end of last week sparking some consternation was largely countered by trade data here for Sept. coming in better than expected.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average edged down 5.30 points, or 0.03 percent, from Friday to 17,179.29.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, shed 2.24 points, or 0.16 percent, to 1,363.05.

Notable decliners by the morning break comprised mining, iron and steel and miscellaneous product-linked stocks. Endit