Tokyo (dpa) – Japanese stocks fell Tuesday on profit taking, but trading was light because of the end of the year holidays and as investors awaited the release of US economic data. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 38.78 points, or 0.46 per cent, to close at 8,440.56 after rising 1 percent a day earlier. The broader Topix index fell 2.19 points, or 0.3 percent, to 724.25. A report on consumer confidence was to be released later in the day in the United States, a key market for Japan's exports. On currency markets at 3 pm (0600 GMT), the euro was quoted at 101.86-89 yen, up from 101.77-81 yen late Monday, and at 1.3074-74 dollars, up from 1.3049-50 dollars. The dollar traded at 77.92-94 yen, down from 77.99-78 yen late Monday. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/3UHij Tags: Economy, Japan, Stocks, Tokyo Section: Business, East Asia
