Tokyo stocks open flat as buying on Wall Street's lead offset by profit taking

TOKYO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened flat Tuesday as some investors opted to secure gains after the market's rally a day earlier, while others snapped up issues following Wall Street's strong overnight lead.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average inched down 6.56 points, or 0.03 percent, from Monday to 22,932.17.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile edged 2.05 points, or 0.11 percent higher, at 1,815.39.

Iron and steel, and precision instrument-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in early play.

Marine transportation and mining-oriented issues, meanwhile, led those that gained the most.