Roundup: Japan's Nikkei ends lower as stocks turn ex-dividend

TOKYO, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index closed lower Thursday as investors sold stocks after booking ex-dividend payment rights, although high-technology issues found favor trimming losses.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 100.85 points, or 0.36 percent, from Wednesday to close the day at 27,782.93.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, fell 12.16 points, or 0.61 percent, to