Tokyo stocks retreat in morning as firm yen weighs on exporters, broader market

TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Friday morning as a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar inhibited buying and saw exporters retreat which weighed on the broader market.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average edged 58.07 points, or 0.29 percent lower, from Thursday to 20,305.04.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 5.41 points, or 0.32 percent, to 1,670.76.

Mining, marine transportation, and electric power and gas-linked stocks comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.