TOKYO, Feb 16 - Japan's Nikkei stock average ended flat on Monday, with investors shying away from high-tech issues on currency worries and ailing cosmetics maker Kanebo Ltd <3102.T> plunging after it dropped plans to sell its cosmetics division.
A drop in the tech-heavy Nasdaq <.IXIC> overnight and concerns that monthly chip-making equipment order data could disappoint later this week put pressure on semiconductor-related stocks with Advantest Corp <6857.T> a key loser. But domestic demand-led issues like Mitsui Fudosan Co <8801.T>, Japan's biggest property developer, that have showed positive earnings developments were popular on hopes for strong gross domestic product (GDP) data due out on Wednesday. After inching in and out of positive territory throughout the day, the Nikkei benchmark index <.N225> closed down 0.08 percent or 8.97 points at 10,548.72. That followed an almost two percent rise in the previous two sessions. The broader TOPIX index <.TOPX> put on 0.38 percent to rise to 1,045.02.//