Tokyo stocks flat in morning as profit-taking caps gains

TOKYO, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks were essentially flat Tuesday morning, as Wall Street's solid lead encouraging buying was offset by investors selling for profits after the market's recent rally.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 5.33 points, or 0.03 percent, from Monday to 21,260.89.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, added 0.21 point, or 0.01 percent, to 1,719.39.

Iron and steel, and nonferrous metal issues comprised those that gained the most by the morning break, while mining and service issues led those that declined.