Tokyo stocks close almost flat on profit taking after passage of U.S. tax bill

TOKYO, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended practically flat Thursday in choppy trade as investors took profits after factoring in the passage of a U.S. tax bill, while the Bank of Japan (BOJ) maintaining its monetary policy provided support.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 25.62 points, or 0.11 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 22,866.10.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged up 1.45 points, or 0.08 percent, to finish at 1,822.61.

Bank and insurance issues comprised issues that declined the most, while mining and nonferrous metal stocks led gainers by the close of play.