TOKYO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks ended mixed on Friday, as selling of heavyweight semiconductor issues was offset by buying of exporter issues on the yen's depreciation.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 270.22 points, or 0.66 percent, from Thursday at 40,799.60.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 5.58 points, or 0.19 percent, higher at 2,948.65.
The U.S. dollar remained firm mostly in the upper 150 yen range in Tokyo amid receding expectations of an early interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan, which spurred the buying of export-related auto shares, dealers said.
Meanwhile, the benchmark Nikkei was weighed down by the selling of semiconductor-related shares after major chip manufacturing equipment maker Tokyo Electron Ltd. on Thursday revised down its earnings forecast for the current fiscal year. ■
