Nikkei ends down 0.04 per cent

Japan8217;s Nikkei stock average ended Friday8217;s session barely changed after news that Renesas Electronics would resume operations at a key auto-chip factory helped offset the impact of a stronger yen,while trading was subdued ahead of the first post-quake earnings,due next week.

Japan8217;s benchmark Nikkei average closed down 0.04 per cent at 9,682.21 on Friday,while the broader Topix gained 0.05 per cent to 842.18.