The Nikkei stock index finished Tuesday slightly lower following overnight falls in US and European shares, but losses were limited thanks to buying aimed at receiving dividends ahead of the end of the Japanese fiscal year later this month, (Kyodo) news reported. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 52.11 points, or 0.36%, from Monday at 14,423.19. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange eked out a small gain, ending up 0.66 point, or 0.06%, at 1,163.7. Information and communication, brokerage and real estate shares drew selling, while mining, paper and pulp, and textile shares gained ground.