Nikkei -0.7%, TOPIX -1.1% on Profit-taking, Broader Asia Weakness

Japan market summary for Friday (Oct. 12)
Nikkei 225 Stock Average: -127.81 (-0.7%) to 17,331.17
Nikkei 225 futures Osaka: -190 (-1.1%) to 17,340, Singapore (SGX) -140 (-0.8%) to 17,350, Chicago (CME) *10/11 +120 (+0.7%) to 17,400
TOPIX: -18.04 (-1.1%) to 1,659.48; Advancers 333 x decliners 1,319 (unch. 73), New highs 33 x new lows 14; 30/33 sectors posted losses
Jasdaq: -5.31 (-0.3%) to 1,903.11
Yen: weakened against the US$ about 0.1% to 117.30 level late in Tokyo; strengthened about 0.1% against the euro to 166.30-35 level


Notes: Emerging stock indices continued to outperform blue chip benchmarks, with MOTHERS flat and HERCULES up 0.1%. Japanese stocks faced selling pressure from profit-taking on recent Nikkei bullishness, in addition to broad selling across Asia, which is welcomed considering new highs being set almost daily for a few of the benchmarks. The Nasdaq also had an afternoon reversal that spooked investors in the U.S. All in all, not a bad day and certainly not a bad week for Japanese stocks. There seems to be more optimism in the air and some surprise, with the MOTHERS and HERCULES putting together an extended rally.