Japanese Nikkei stock advances in morning as yen's retreat lifts exporters

TOKYO, July 9 (Xinhua) -- The benchmark Nikkei stock index advanced Tuesday morning with export-related issues buoyed by a comparatively weak yen against the U.S. dollar, although gains were capped as investors continued to weigh receding hopes for a steep U.S. Fed rate cut.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 49.08 points, or 0.23 percent, from Monday to 21,583.43.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 1.22 points, or 0.08 percent, at 1,577.18.

Oil and coal product, farm and fishery, and securities house-linked issues comprised those that gained the most by the morning break.