Nikkei slips from 7-week highs

Japan’s Nikkei average ended down 0.1 per cent on Thursday,slipping from seven-week highs hit earlier in the day,as investors pocketed profits on a rally in big banks such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

The benchmark Nikkei inched down 13.61 points to 10,163.80,after earlier rising as high as 10,260.12,its highest level since October 27.

The broader Topix edged down 0.2 per cent at 896.28.