TOKYO (Thomson Financial) - Japanese shares were mixed in early trade Monday
as investors locked in profits from recent gains after a weak reading on
business sentiment.
The business sentiment diffusion index for large Japanese companies dropped
to minus 9.3 in the first quarter from plus 0.5 in the previous quarter,
reflecting growing concern about profits, the government said before the opening
bell.
At 9.19 am (0019 GMT), the blue chip Nikkei 225 Stock Average was down 11.77
points or 0.1 percent at 12,470.80. The broader Topix rose 1.49 points or 0.1
percent to 1,221.53.
The Nikkei gained nearly 700 points over the previous three sessions.
(1 US dollar = 99.63 yen)
masami.hachisu@thomson.com
hm/jm
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