Tokyo stocks open mixed as investors opt for profits following recent gains

TOKYO, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened mixed Thursday following overnight drops on Wall Street after U.S. economic data missed median market expectations, with some Japanese investors opting to take profits following the Nikkei's 10-month closing high a day earlier.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 17.49 points, or 0.08 percent, from Wednesday to 22,490.41.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 2.03 points, or 0.12 percent, at 1,629.48.

Marine transportation and chemical issues comprised notable advancers, while decliners were led by pulp and paper, and electric power and gas-linked issues.