Tokyo stocks close slightly higher on caution ahead of Fed meeting outcome

TOKYO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed slightly higher Wednesday as investors refrained from making bold moves ahead of the outcome later in the day of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy-setting meeting.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 42.07 points, or 0.20 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 21,608.92.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 4.16 points, or 0.26 percent, to finish at 1,614.39.

Pulp and paper, metal product and wholesale trade-oriented issues comprised those that gained the most by the close of play.