Nikkei hits 2-month closing low on firmer yen

Tokyo, Nov 8: Japan's Nikkei average fell to a two-month closing low on Thursday after spreading credit fears sent Wall Street tumbling and exporters such as Honda Motor were battered down by the higher yen.

Widespread selling also hit financial firms, which were spooked by falls in U.S. financial services companies due to fears about the fallout of the subprime mortgage crisis.

In its fifth consecutive losing session, the Nikkei ended down 2.02 percent or 325.11 points at 15,771.57, its lowest close since Sept. 10.

The broader TOPIX index ended down 2.55 percent at 1,516.94, its lowest close since Sept 18. It had tumbled more than 3 percent at one point.

REUTERS>