Tokyo stocks close lower as yen's rise drags down exporter issues

TOKYO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Wednesday despite making gains in early trade, as the yen's appreciation against the U.S. dollar dented investor sentiment and dragged exporter issues and the broader market lower.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 90.51 points, or 0.43 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 21,154.17, marking its lowest close since Oct. 12.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 14.06 points, or 0.82 percent, to finish at 1,702.72.

Transportation equipment, marine transportation and nonferrous metal-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.