Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

STOCKS dipped into negative territory at the end after gains over the past three days, with the Nikkei 225 closing down 0.75 per cent at 14,342.3.

Traders said prices had drifted as cancellations of cross-share holdings were offset by firmer prices in hi-tech issues, reflecting the dollar's firmer tone against the yen. Uncertainty in overseas equity markets was also making investors cautious. "Investors were generally on the sidelines. The market lacked energy to rise above the resistance at the 14,500 level," said one analyst.