The Nikkei 225 Monday traded sideways in a narrow band through both morning and afternoon trading

sessions, dipping to a negligible loss of 0.01% at the closing bell. As with any slowdown on the Nikkei 225 this year, analysts said traders were “taking profits.”

The broad measure Nikkei 225 lost 2.17 to 19,905.46 as losers outnumbered gainers 118 to 95, a slightly more clear marker of the trading day’s listless mood.

Leading the upside on a mixed day was Nippon Electric Glass (NPEGF, 5214:Tokyo), up 17.70%; followed by components-maker Mitsumi Electric (6767:Tokyo), up 7.19%; and then IT-infrastructure builder Comsys (CITP, 1721:Tokyo), up 3.86%.

On the downside were soy-sauce purveyor Kikkoman (KIKOF, 2801:Tokyo) off 3.59%, and then utility Tokyo Gas (TKGFS, 9531:Tokyo) off 3.52%.