Nikkei 225 index ends slightly lower on Tuesday

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average ended modestly lower on Tuesday ahead of Spanish debt auction. Nevertheless losses were limited as US posted a strong retail sales data. Nikkei 225 index shed 0.06% or 5.93 points and settled at 9,464.71. Sony Corp tumbled 2.3% as the electronics company gets about 20% of its revenue in European region. Olympus Corp. lost 2.3% after an executive announced two board members are planning to stay at the company after quitting as directors.