Tokyo - Tokyo stocks ended lower Thursday as investors sold shares to lock in profits from the previous day's gains amid spreading concerns about the Japanese economy.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average dipped 89.29 points, or 1.11 per cent, to close at 7,949.65. The index had snapped a three-day losing streak Wednesday, rising more than 2 per cent to close above 8,000.

But market sentiment was dampened Thursday after a series of sluggish corporate earnings reports and by the economic outlook at home and abroad.

The broader Topix index of all first section issues was also down 6.37 points, or 0.8 per cent, at 786.41.

On currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar traded at 89.30-35 yen, up from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 88.87-89 yen.

The euro was quoted at 1.2825-30 dollars, down from late Wednesday's quote of 1.2981-83 dollars, and at 114.55-60 yen, down from 115.36-40 yen. (dpa)