TOKYO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index tumbled over 3 percent on Thursday to close at its lowest level in 14 months, as an early sell-off gathered steam on mounting concerns of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate hike at an earlier juncture than expected.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average plunged 841.03 points, or 3.11 percent, from Wednesday to close at 26,170.3, marking its lowest closing level since Nov. 24, 2020.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, tumbled 49.41 points, or 2.61 percent, to finish at 1,842.44.
With the exception of insurance and mining issues, all industry categories retreated into negative territory, with precision instrument and electric appliance issues comprising those that declined the most. ■