TOKYO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Japan's key stock index edged down on Tuesday, snapping recent gains as selling pressure in semiconductor-related shares offset early advances driven by a strong U.S. market rally.
The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, fell 68.83 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 50,842.93.
After climbing more than 600 points in early trade on optimism that the U.S. government shutdown would soon end, the index reversed course in the afternoon, at one point losing over 300 points.
Semiconductor equipment makers such as Advantest and Disco, which had been bought earlier, came under profit-taking, weighing heavily on the index.
Market participants also noted concerns that the resumption of U.S. economic data releases, which had been halted during the shutdown, could increase market volatility and dampen expectations for an early Federal Reserve rate cut.
The broader Topix index rose 4.16 points, or 0.13 percent, to end at 3,321.58.
On the Tokyo Prime Market, decliners numbered 830, while 719 rose and 65 were unchanged. ■
