Japan's Nikkei ends 2024 with nearly 20% rise

Updates with closing prices

TOKYO, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average retreated on 2024's last trading day on Monday from the five-month high hit in the last session, as investors locked in profits on the index that rose nearly 20% for the year.

The Nikkei .N225 fell 0.96% to close at 39,894.54 after opening 0.11% higher. It ended at a five-month closing high of 40,281.16 on Friday after a three-session winning streak.

The index rose 19.22% this year, underpinned by a weaker yen and the Japanese central bank's low-rate policy. In 2023, it had gained 28%.

The broader Topix .TOPX eased 0.6% to 2.784.92.

"Investors sold stocks today because they could not find clear reasons for the Nikkei to cross the 40,000 levels," said Fumio Matsumoto, chief strategist at Okasan Securities.

"But that does not mean investors are pessimistic about the market in the coming year. They may just want to avoid risks during the market close in Japan for the new year, which is longer than usual."

Japanese markets will reopen on Jan. 6, 2025, after closing for the New Year holidays starting Tuesday.

Uniqlo-brand owner Fast Retailing 9983.T shed 1.59% to drag on the Nikkei the most. Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest 6857.T fell 2.6%.

Nissan Motor 7201.T slipped 5.73% to become the biggest percentage loser on the benchmark. The carmaker surged 33.7% this month as merger talks with peer Honda Motor 7267.T surfaced. However, the stock ended the year 13.39% lower.

Fujikura 5803.T, which makes wire cabling for data centres, grew six-fold this year, becoming the top percentage gainer on the Nikkei.

Lasertec 6920.T, which makes inspection equipment used in chip-making, fell 59% this year and was Nikkei's worst performer of the year.

(Reporting by Junko Fujita; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Sumana Nandy)

((junko.fujita@thomsonreuters.com;))