Tokyo stocks retreat in morning on profit taking, lower European shares

TOKYO, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks lost ground Tuesday morning as investors decided to lock in gains following the Nikkei's recent winning streak and European shares retreating overnight.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 265.00 points, or 1.20 percent, from Monday to 21,884.21.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 19.08 points, or 1.07 percent, at 1,756.07.

Bank, machinery and insurance-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break.