TOKYO, March 10 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average is expected to edge lower on Thursday as U.S. stocks were weaker, but buying in stocks with high dividend yields may limit falls as the March ex-dividend date is nearing.
Market observers said chip-related shares may underperform the overall market after the PHLX semiconductor index fell 3 percent, hit by a weaker outlook from Texas Instruments.
With the settlement of Nikkei 225 futures and options coming up on Friday, moves by commodity trading advisers in futures, which have sparked big swings in the benchmark recently, are also in focus.
"The market may move in a narrow range today," said Masumi Yamamoto, a market analyst at Daiwa Securities Capital Markets. "Investors are still concerned about developments in the Middle East, so oil prices during the day may decide the market's direction."
On the other hand, stocks with high dividend yields may be bought ahead of the March ex-dividend date.
"Domestic-demand shares in this category may outperform," said Hiroichi Nishi, general manager at Nikko Cordial Securities, adding that such stocks include companies in the utility and oil sectors.
Separately, the Nikkei business daily reported that Tokyo Stock Exchange Inc and Osaka Securities Exchange Co will launch negotiations aimed at integrating operations around the autumn of 2012.
Although there may not be an immediate impact on the overall market, long-term sentiment should be positive, analysts said.
Nikkei futures pointed to a lower start. They last traded in Chicago at 10,560, 40 points below the closing level in Osaka.
The benchmark Nikkei rose 0.6 percent or 64.31 points to 10,589.50 on Wednesday. The broader Topix index also gained 0.6 percent, to 944.29.
Analysts said the Nikkei is expected to trade between 10,500-10,600 on Thursday.
A near-term resistance for the Nikkei is seen at its 25-day moving average, which is now at 10,627.77, said Daiwa's Yamamoto. ----------------------MARKET SNAPSHOT @ 2311 GMT ------------
LAST PCT CHG NET CHG S&P 500 1320.02 -0.14% -1.800 USD/JPY 82.74 0.01% 0.010 10-YR US TSY YLD 3.4694 -- 0.000 SPOT GOLD 1430.85 0.14% 2.060 US CRUDE 104.38 0.00% 0.000 DOW JONES 12213.09 -0.01% -1.29 ------------------------------------------------------------- > Chip sector losses hit Nasdaq; IBM supports Dow > Euro treads water; market wary about debt issues > PIMCO's loss may eventually be Treasuries' gain > Gold pares gains; Mideast, euro zone worry support > IA-Shares to struggle as oil prices head higher again
STOCKS TO WATCH
-- Osaka Securities Exchange Co
Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Securities Exchange will launch negotiations aimed at integrating operations around the autumn of 2012, the Nikkei business daily said.
-- Nippon Steel Corp
Nippon Steel and British mining giant Anglo American Plc have agreed to raise prices for coking coal by roughly 50 percent from the current quarter to a record $330 per tonne for the April-June period, the Nikkei reported.
-- Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, a banking unit of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, plans to establish a $300 million fund by June for investing in infrastructure projects in India, the Nikkei reported.
-- Fanuc Ltd
Fanuc plans to double its capacity for making industrial robots to 5,000 units a month by the year-end, seeking to establish a solid lead in the global market, the Nikkei reported. (Reporting by Ayai Tomisawa; Editing by Michael Watson)