Nikkei sheds 0.5 pct as exporters weigh; Sharp up

TOKYO, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average lost 0.5 percent on Friday, weighed down by selling of exporters such as Sony Corp (6758.T) after concerns about consumer spending hit Wall Street and the yen strengthened slightly against the dollar.

But Sharp Corp (6753.T) gained 2.4 percent to 987 yen after Deutsche Securities raised its rating on the electronics maker to "buy" from "hold", citing a brighter outlook for its flat panel, solar cell and LCD TV operations.

U.S. stocks fell on Thursday as a stronger dollar weighed on commodity-linked shares and a guarded outlook from Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) led to worries about consumer spending. [.N]

"The sense that economic recovery is taking a bit of a breather will weigh on the market," said Kazuhiro Takahashi, an equities analyst at Daiwa Securities SMBC.

In active trade, the benchmark Nikkei .N225 shed 52.36 points to 9,752.13 by the midday break while the broader Topix lost 0.2 percent to 866.00.

Struggling Japan Airlines Corp (9205.T) as well as a slew of banks including No. 2 lender Mizuho Financial Group (8411.T) and No. 3 bank Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) announce earnings results later in the day. (Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Chris Gallagher)