Tokyo: Stocks open 0.99% lower

[TOKYO] Tokyo stocks opened 0.99 per cent lower on Monday with investor sentiment hurt by concern over Greece's possible default and exit from the euro.

The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 201.98 points to 20,205.10 at the start.

Market sentiment was damped as last-ditch talks between Athens and its EU-IMF creditors collapsed on Sunday.

The talks' failure has brought the threat of default by Greece and its exit from the common currency closer than ever.

The euro fell on Monday, buying US$1.1222 and 138.50 yen against US$1.1260 and 138.92 yen in New York late Friday Against the dollar, the yen fetched 123.45 yen, marginally weaker than 123.37 in US trade Friday.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.78 per cent on Friday, closing a choppy week on a down note.

AFP