Tokyo stocks edge down in morning as yen's rise weighs on sentiment

TOKYO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks retreated marginally Thursday morning as the yen's appreciation against the U.S. dollar weighed on exporters issues which tends to drag down the broader market.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 15.66 points, or 0.08 percent, from Wednesday to 19,713.62.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged 0.09 point, or 0.01 percent, lower to 1,615.91.

Mining, insurance and food-linked stocks comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.