Tokyo stocks close lower as investors opt for profits

TOKYO, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended slightly lower in thin trading on Tuesday as investors opted to secure gains after the benchmark Nikkei stock index hit a fresh 26-year high a day earlier.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 46.49 points, or 0.20 percent, from Monday to close the day at 22,892.69.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 4.92 points, or 0.27 percent, to finish the day at 1,827.01.

Electric appliance, nonferrous metal and mining-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.