Tokyo stocks flat in morning, investors secure profits

TOKYO, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks were basically flat Tuesday morning in thin trading, as investors opted to lock in gains following the benchmark Nikkei stock index a hitting 26-year high a day earlier.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average edged down 0.78 point from Monday to 22,938.40.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange shed 1.43 point, or 0.08 percent, at 1,830.50.

Electric appliance and nonferrous metal issues comprised issues that notably declined.

Retail and service issues, meanwhile, led those that gained the most by the morning break.