TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Nikkei stock index ended slightly lower Tuesday as moves to lock in gains after rises the previous day erased earlier advances led by technology issues.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 124.49 points, or 0.32 percent, from Monday at 39,036.85. The broader Topix index finished 0.52 point, or 0.02 percent, higher at 2,727.26.

On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by nonferrous metal and service issues, while gainers were led by marine transportation, and electric power and gas issues.

The U.S. dollar remained firm in the lower 157 yen range in Tokyo on buying amid speculation that the Federal Reserve will slow interest rate cuts on the back of a solid U.S. economy, dealers said.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 157.14-15 yen compared with 157.11-21 yen in New York and 156.79-80 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Monday.

The euro was quoted at $1.0390-0392 and 163.27-31 yen against $1.0400-0410 and 163.47-57 yen in New York and $1.0412-0413 and 163.26-30 yen in Tokyo late Monday afternoon.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond rose 0.005 percentage point from Monday's close to 1.065 percent as the debt was sold following a rise in long-term U.S. Treasury yields the day before.

Stocks opened higher, led by technology issues, which tracked advances in their U.S. counterparts overnight, but the Nikkei benchmark soon slipped and remained in negative territory.

Today's trading value was very low as investors stayed on the sidelines amid a lack of new trading incentives and ahead of the Christmas holidays overseas, said Kazuo Kamitani, a strategist in the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co.

Meanwhile, Honda Motor ended up 12.2 percent at 1,432.5 yen after briefly soaring over 17 percent, as investors welcomed its 1.1 trillion yen share buyback plan. It announced the plan Monday as merger talks with Nissan Motor Co. would make it difficult for the automaker to hammer out a new capital policy.

Other automakers also attracted buying on a weaker yen, which lifts their overseas profits when repatriated, but their rise had a limited impact on the overall market, brokers said.