TOKYO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Wednesday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index extending its losing streak to a fifth straight session.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 33.23 points, or 0.05 percent, from Tuesday at 67,744.29.
The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 13.89 points, or 0.34 percent, lower at 4,096.78.
On the top-tier Prime Market, bank, securities house and precision instrument issues were among the notable decliners.
Selling was broad-based, reversing the previous day's trend, as the benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures contract stayed above 90 U.S. dollars per barrel amid lingering concerns over energy supply stability due to tensions in the Middle East.
Bargain hunting in heavyweight technology shares after recent sell-offs, however, lent some support.
The Nikkei traded in positive territory early on but surrendered its gains in the afternoon after a Dutch semiconductor equipment maker's quarterly earnings fell short of market expectations, though analysts said the results themselves were not weak. ■