Tokyo  - Stocks opened lower Thursday as the Tokyo market players sold issues to lock in profits from recent gains.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 99.78 points, or 0.69 per cent, to 14,335.79.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 7.18 points, or 0.5 per cent, at 1,423.29.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 105.28-33 yen, up from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 104.89-91 yen.

The euro was quoted at 1.5432-37 dollars, down from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 1.5440-42 dollars, and at 162.50-55 yen, up from 161.96-162.00 yen. (dpa)