Tokyo stocks open lower as trade issues dash sentiment

TOKYO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower on Monday as investor sentiment was at a low ebb and trade tensions continue to cloud the growth outlook for the global economy.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 222.95 points, or 1.06 percent, from Friday to 20,864.21.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 18.33 points, or 1.20 percent, at 1,515.13.

Every industry category retreated into negative territory, with iron and steel, electric appliance and real estate-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.