Tokyo stocks close lower on nixed Brexit plan, weak machinery orders

TOKYO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed lower Wednesday as investor sentiment was dented after British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan was nixed in a parliamentary vote overnight, while a slump in domestic machinery orders also unsettled nerves.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 213.45 points, or 0.99 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 21,290.24.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 13.41 points, or 0.84 percent, to finish at 1,592.07.

Oil and coal product, securities house and insurance-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the close of play.