Nikkei off 0.23 pct on profit-taking, retailers up

Tokyo, Feb 19: The Nikkei average fell 0.23 percent on Monday as investors continued locking in profits in recent gainers such as Fanuc Ltd.

But investors bought retail shares such as Seven&I Holdings Co. Ltd. and Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. on industry consolidation hopes after Daimaru Inc. said it is thinking of merging with Matsuzakaya Holdings Co.

The Nikkei was 40.52 points lower at 17,835.13 as of 0001 GMT. The broader TOPIX index fell 0.21 percent to 1,770.78.

Reuters