Tokyo stocks close lower on profit-taking ahead of Powell's testimony

TOKYO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Tuesday as early gains were erased as investors locked in profits ahead of testimony to Congress from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell later Tuesday.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 78.84 points, or 0.37 percent, from Monday to close the day at 21,449.39.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 3.67 points, or 0.23 percent, to finish at 1,617.20.

Mining, oil and coal product, and insurance-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.