Tokyo stocks open lower as investors sell for profits

TOKYO, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Thursday as investors opted to secure profits after the Nikkeis closing high the previous day.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 57.59 points, or 0.27 percent, from Wednesday to 21,373.90.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 4.72 points, or 0.29 percent, at 1,608.75.

Oil and coal product, consumer credit, and metal product-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.