Tokyo stocks close lower as sentiment dashed by murky outlook for trade deal

TOKYO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Thursday, as investor sentiment was dented by renewed concerns over the prospect for an interim trade deal between two major economies, with the United States passing a bill that brokers here said could further complicate issues.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 109.99 points, or 0.48 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 23,038.58, marking its lowest closest closing level since Nov. 1.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 1.73 points, or 0.10 percent, to finish at 1,689.38.

Nonferrous metal, pulp and paper, and marine transportation-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.