Japanese shares slide on profit-taking; automakers hit 6-year high

TOKYO, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Japanese shares slipped on Monday as investors booked profits following a rally over the past couple of weeks, but automakers gained after Toyota Motor hinted that it could still hit its full-year output plan despite chip shortages.

Investors were also cautious on rising uncertainty on the Chinese economy as debt-laden Chinese property firm Evergrande struggles for its survival and as the country’s GDP slowed in the third quarter.

By midday, the Nikkei share average fell 0.28% to 28,987.66, stepping back after rising to 29,144.33, its highest level since Oct. 1.

“A lot of investors would like to take profits when the Nikkei is above 29,000. My feeling is they are also wary of Evergrande’s troubles ahead of its deadline to avoid default,” said Hiroyuki Ueno, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management.

The broader Topix lost 0.37% to 2,016.53but Topix transport equipment maker index rose 1.8% to reach its highest levels since 2015.

Toyota Motor rose 2.5% after it cut its planned global output for November by as much as 15% due to ongoing chip shortages, but indicated it would ramp up production from December by sticking to its latest full-year production target.

Rival carmakers also gained, with Suzuki Motor up 2.5%, Subaru adding 2.2% and car part maker Denso rising 2.6%, as a weaker yen is seen as boosting their profit.

Resource-related shares were another bright spot thanks to the strength of commodity market. Mitsui Mining rose 5.1%, while Sumitomo Metal added 2.1% and oil explorer Inpex gained 5.0%.

BayCurrent Consulting lost 11.7% as its solid quarterly earnings fell short of strong investor expectations. Its stock price is still up almost 150% so far this year.

Fintech start-up Money Forward tumbled 12.8% after it reported larger-than-expected quarterly losses.

Pasona lost 5.8% after investors were underwhelmed by the staffing service firm’s quarterly results. (Reporting by Hideyuki Sano; editing by Uttaresh.V)