Topix down 2 pct, banks hit after earnings

TOKYO Aug 1 (Reuters) - Japan's Topix index fell 2 percent on Friday, led down by banks such as Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) after weak earnings.

Sumitomo Mitsui and Mizuho Financial Group (8411.T) posted sharp declines in first-quarter core profitability, hurt by the global market downturn and a weakening domestic economy. [ID:nT177780]

As of 0055 GMT, the benchmark Nikkei .N225 fell 1.9 percent to 13,126.85. The broader Topix .TOPX lost 2.1 percent to 1,277.00 (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka)