Japanese Shares Slip, Led by Sompo, Insurers; Trading Companies Advance

(Bloomberg) -- Japanese stocks declined for the
first time in three days, paced by insurers after Mitsui
Sumitomo Insurance Co. and Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. reported
their profits fell.

Limiting losses, Japan Tobacco Inc., the world's third-
largest traded cigarette maker, jumped the most in five months
after Merrill Lynch & Co. raised its recommendation on the stock.
Itochu Corp. climbed 3.6 percent after Mizuho Securities Co.
lifted its recommendation on the shares of Japan's five largest
trading houses.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News