Asian stocks flat, Seoul edges to record
TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) -- Asian stocks halted their rally on Tuesday as investors turned cautious ahead of earnings results from large-cap companies, but Seoul shares briefly touched a record high.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) hit a record high of 1,502.27, but by 0033 GMT had turned 0.1 percent lower.
Tokyo's Nikkei share average was down 0.2 percent as shares of Sony and other recent gainers were sold after the previous session's advance of nearly 1.5 percent.
"Investors' focus is now shifting to micro from macro -- they are looking ahead to corporate earnings coming out later in the month," said Norihiro Fujito, general manager of investment research and information at Mitsubishi UFJ Securities in Tokyo.
MSCI's measure of Asia Pacific stocks excluding Japan rose 0.4 percent.
halted
差し止める
rally
回復｛かいふく｝、反発｛はんぱつ｝、反騰相場｛はんとう そうば｝
cautious of
～に用心｛ようじん｝して、～に注意｛ちゅうい｝を払って
large-cap stock
大型株｛おおがたかぶ｝
gainer
値上｛ねあ｝がり株
excluding
～を除いて