nikkei down as exporters hit after u s retreat

Nikkei down as exporters hit after U S retreat
11:09, Monday, 30 October 2006

(Updates to opening)

TOKYO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - The Nikkei average fell 0.75
percent early on Monday as a retreat in U.S. stocks after data
showing weak quarterly growth in the world's biggest economy
dragged down exporters such as Canon Inc. <7751.T> and Toyota
Motor Corp. <7203.T>.

Data released before the opening showed Japan's industrial
production fell 0.7 percent in September from a month earlier,
slightly better than a median market forecast of a 1.0 percent
decline.

The Nikkei <.N225> was down 125.55 points at 16,543.52 as of
0003 GMT after falling 0.85 percent on Friday. The broader TOPIX
index <.TOPX> was down 0.82 percent at 1,637.25.

Earnings continue to be in focus. Major companies to release
their earnings results on Monday include Nippon Paper Group Inc.
<3893.T>, Itochu Corp. <8001.T>, Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. <9531.T>,
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. <7211.T>, Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
<6503.T>, Nippon Oil Corp. <5001.T> and Kyocera Corp. <6971.T>.