Tokyo stocks lose ground in morning as investors eye U.S.-China tariff moves

TOKYO, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Thursday morning as investors remained in a circumspect mood amid U.S.-triggered trade tensions with China that might see reciprocal retaliatory moves made later this week.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 32.77 points, or 0.15 percent, from Wednesday to 21,684.27.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, shed 5.14 points, or 0.3 percent, at 1,688.11.

Oil and coal product, nonferrous metal and retail-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.