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Nikkei falls 2.4 pct to 6-wk low, machine data hurts

Wed Jul 8, 2009 2:12am EDT

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TOKYO, July 8 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average fell 2.4 percent to a six-week closing low on Wednesday, hurt by an unexpected slide in domestic machinery orders and as the yen rose to seven-week highs against the dollar on talk of more stimulus for the U.S. economy.

Komatsu (6301.T) and other machinery makers dropped after Japan's core private-sector machinery orders fell 3.0 percent in May from the previous month, suggesting a recovery in capital spending may be delayed. [ID:nT292365]

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 fell 227.04 points to 9,420.75, its lowest close since May 26.

The broader Topix dropped 2.3 percent to 888.54. (Reporting by Shinichi Saoshiro)



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