Tokyo stocks lose ground as investors opt for profits, eye corporate earnings

Tokyo stocks slipped in the morning Thursday in choppy trade as investors opted top secure gains made following the market's advance recently, while cautiously eyeing earnings reports here.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 50.61 points, or 0.29 percent, from Wednesday to 17,341.23.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, shed 0.07 point, or 0.01 percent, to 1,382.63.

Marine transportation, pharmaceutical and electric appliance-linked stocks comprised notable decliners by the morning break. Enditem