Tokyo stocks end flat as dip buying offset by profit taking

TOKYO, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed almost flat Tuesday, as investors buying on dips after the Nikkei's recent rally and subsequent decline was offset by selling to lock in gains.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 0.98 point from Monday to close the day at 22,380.01.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 4.62 points, or 0.26 percent, to finish at 1,778.87.

Oil and coal product, and air transportation issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play, while metal product and rubber product issues led those that gained.