Tokyo shares open lower

TOKYO, July 14 (AFP): Tokyo shares opened 0.34 per cent lower on Thursday, despite gains on Wall Street following robust growth figures from China and the Fed signalling it was prepared for further stimulus measures. At the opening bell, the Nikkei-225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 33.96 points at 9,929.18. Tsuyoshi Segawa, equity strategist at Mizuho Securities, expected a firm yen to weigh on exporter stocks. The dollar was under more pressure against major currencies especially after Moody's ratings agency warned that the United States could lose its triple-A credit rating. The dollar eased further to 78.76 yen Thursday morning from 78.98 in New York overnight.