TOKYO: Tokyo stocks slightly higher at end on Wednesday trade after cutting earlier losses due to a wave of purchases on dips.
The Nikkei 225 stock average rose 32.75 points, or 0.17 percent, to end at 19,746.20. On Tuesday, the key gauge shed 40.91 points.
The Topix index of all first-section issues gained 4.42 points, or 0.28 percent, to 1,592.01, after losing 4.66 points the previous day.
Tokyo stocks got off to a firmer start on the back of hopes for further rises in stock prices. But the Nikkei gave up the gains and sank into negative territory later in the morning, pressured by profit-taking amid worries about market overheating after the recent sharp increases in Tokyo stocks.
An official of a major securities firm said that it was difficult for investors to step up purchases after U.S. equities shed gains for the second consecutive session on Tuesday.
