Tokyo stocks end flat on solid earnings, firm yen

TOKYO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed essentially flat Monday as early buying on the back of Wall Street's positive lead and upbeat sentiment on earnings was parried by the strength of the yen against the U.S. dollar.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 2.54 points, or 0.01 percent, from Friday to close the day at 23,629.34.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged up 1.06 points, or 0.06 percent, to finish at 1,880.45.

Oil and coal product, and chemical issues comprised those that gained, while construction and land transportation issues led those that declined the most by the close of play.