Tokyo stocks open lower as firm yen sends exporters lower

TOKYO, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday as a comparatively firm yen against the U.S. dollar sent exporter issues lower and soured the broader market.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 133.74 points, or 0.67 percent, from Tuesday to 19,786.08.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 9.92 points, or 0.63 percent, to 1,574.31.

Bank, transportation equipment, and wholesale-linked stocks comprised those that declined the most in early trade.