Nikkei falls after six-day rally, Komatsu down

Tokyo, July 6: Japan's Nikkei average fell 0.5 percent on Friday as investors took profits in construction machinery maker Komatsu Ltd. and other recent gainers behind the market's six-day winning streak.

Fast Retailing Co. rose 1.7 percent after the clothing retailer launched an unsolicited bid to acquire Barneys New York Inc. for 0 million, topping an existing deal for the upscale clothing chain.

The benchmark Nikkei average was down 87.98 points at 18,133.50, poised to end lower for the first time in seven sessions. The broader TOPIX index lost 0.4 percent to 1,780.91.

Reuters>