Tokyo stocks edge lower in morning on yen's rise, profit-taking

TOKYO, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks edged lower Thursday morning as a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar weighed on exporter issues amid profit-taking following the Nikkei's recent rise.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average edged down 28.80 points, or 0.13 percent, from Wednesday to 21,402.69.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 3.68 points, or 0.23 percent, at 1,609.79.

Oil and coal product, metal product, and consumer credit-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.