Nikkei flat, tech shares down but banks, metals up

TOKYO, May 8 (Reuters) The Nikkei share average closed little changed on Tuesday as investors took profits in Kyocera Corp. and other recent gainers after the benchmark ended the previous session at its highest in more than three weeks.

But bank shares advanced after ratings agency Moody's upgraded Japanese banks, providing support to the Nikkei.

Shares of Sumitomo Light Metal Industries Ltd. and other aluminium rolling mills jumped as news that U.S. aluminium producer Alcoa will make a hostile bid for its rival Alcan Inc. of Canada for nearly billion fuelled expectations for a further industry shake-up.

The Nikkei closed down 0.07 percent or 12.99 points at 17,656.84.

The broad TOPIX index edged down 0.02 percent to 1,732.63.

Reuters SI DB1215