Tokyo stocks lose ground in morning as Wall Street's slide dents sentiment

TOKYO, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Thursday morning as investor sentiment was dented by a drop in U.S. shares overnight.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 120.24 points, or 0.53 percent, from Wednesday to 22,720.88.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, dropped 4.18 points, or 0.24 percent, at 1,709.69.

Oil and coal product, mining, and chemical-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.