Nikkei edges down in choppy trade, investors book profits

[TOKYO] Japan's Nikkei share average edged down on Wednesday in choppy trade ahead of the holidays as investors locked in gains after the market hovered at more than one-year highs earlier.

The Nikkei ended 0.3 per cent lower at 19,444.49 after trading in positive territory in the morning.

The broader Topix dropped 0.5 per cent at 1,544.94, while the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 declined 0.4 per cent to 13,850.89.

REUTERS