Nikkei sheds 2.4 pct on yen, flu-related shares up

TOKYO May 18 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average shed 2.4 percent on Monday to hit its lowest close since May 1, with exporters such as Sony Corp (6758.T) sinking as the yen advanced against the dollar.

Panasonic Corp (6752.T) dropped 7.6 percent after it forecast a bigger-than-expected annual loss following a record quarter of red ink, battered by weak demand, price falls and restructuring costs. [ID:nT317165]

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 shed 226.33 points to 9,038.69, its lowest close since May 1 when it closed at 8,977.37. The broader Topix .TOPX lost 2.5 percent to 859.71. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)