Nikkei closes lower in choppy trade as investors opt for profits

TOKYO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The benchmark Nikkei stock index closed lower Thursday in choppy trade as initial advances were outweighed by investors' moves to secure gains after the market hit a 26-year high briefly.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 45.11 points, or 0.20 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 22,868.71.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, ended 4.49 points, or 0.25 percent lower at 1,813.11.

Rubber product, oil and coal product, and marine transportation-linked stocks comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.