Nikkei slips as chipmakers fall; property gains

TOKYO, June 15 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average slipped 0.7 percent on Monday, dragged lower by chipmakers after disappointing guidance from a U.S. peer as investors searched for clear signs that economic recession may be easing. But falls were checked by gains in property developers such as Sumitomo Realty & Development (8830.T) after Daiwa Institute of Research hiked its rating on the real estate sector to "neutral" from "underweight", citing a gradual improvement in credit markets and global confidence.

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 shed 67.79 points to 10,068.03 after closing above 10,000 on Friday for the first time in eight months, while the broader Topix was flat at 950.50. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)