Tokyo stocks seen taking cues from tankan

TOKYO, Oct 2 (Reuters) Tokyo stocks are seen taking their cue from the Bank of Japan's tankan survey of corporate sentiment today.

The results of the quarterly survey, to be released just before stock trading begins, will likely be little changed from the last survey in June, according to economists polled by Reuters.

''Stocks today are likely to be influenced by the tankan,'' said Yutaka Miura, deputy manager of the equity information department at Shinko Securities.

''If the survey comes in according to expectations ... the market will probably take that as neutral and we might see some sideways movement,'' Miura said.

Nikkei futures pointed to a slight advance in the market on Monday. Nikkei December futures closed at 16,110 in Chicago, a rise of 10 points from the Osaka finish.

The Nikkei average is likely to move between 16,000 and 16,200 today, market participants said.

The benchmark rose 0.64 per cent on Friday to 16,127.58.

STOCKS TO WATCH -- Yoshinoya D&C Co.

Japanese beef-bowl restaurant chain Yoshinoya D&C said on Friday it missed its first-half net profit forecast by about 45 per cent, hit by costs related to a ban on US beef imports.

Yoshinoya said its sales were lower than expected in the six months ended Aug. 31 because it cancelled a promotional campaign regularly held in July and August to focus on the resumption of its popular beef-bowl dish for just one day earlier this month.

REUTERS SBA PM0518