Stocks in Tokyo lost ground in Wednesday’s morning trading despite positive economic data as concerns grew over debt problems among members of the euro currency zone and the euro’s weakening against the yen. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 93.79 points, or 0.98 per cent to 9,444.15 and the broader Topix index lost 6.34 points, or 0.74 per cent to trade at 851.99.
Japan’s core machinery orders for April rose 4 per cent, the Cabinet Office said Wednesday, bigger increase than the expected 1—per—cent rise.
On currency markets, the dollar traded at 91.38—43 yen, down from Tuesday’s 5 pm quote of 91.70—73 yen. The euro traded at 1.1956—59 dollars, slightly up from 1.1950—53 dollars the previous day, and at 109.27—27 yen, from 109.60—64 yen.
