Tokyo stocks decline in morning on profit-taking, yen's firmness

TOKYO, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Thursday morning as investors opted to secure profits after shares advanced over the past two days, with the yen's firmness dulling the outlook for exporters.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 170.68 points, or 0.78 percent, from Wednesday to 21,749.78.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 11.57 points, or 0.7 percent, at 1,634.55.

Information and communication, pulp and paper, and metal product-oriented issues comprised those that lost the most by the morning break.