Nikkei flat ahead of U.S. jobs data but Hitachi up
* Investors cautious ahead of U.S. data
* But upbeat mood intact
* Hitachi jumps on report of lithium ion batteries
By Aiko Hayashi
TOKYO, July 2 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average was flat on on Thursday as caution set in ahead of U.S. jobs data, but Hitachi Ltd (6501.T: Quote, Profile, Research) jumped on a report that it will boost production of lithium ion batteries for hybrid cars.
Market analysts said the Nikkei is due for a pause after recovering some 40 percent from its March lows, though the overall mood remained upbeat, reinforced by reassuring manufacturing data from Europe, China and the United States.
"The market is at a standstill right now after overshooting recently and as it just under 10,000. It will likely spend July and August -- the summer months when trade is thin -- consolidating around the 10,000 level," said Fumiyuki Nakanishi, manager at SMBC Friend Securities.
The benchmark Nikkei .N225 was unchanged at 9,940.12. On Wednesday, it briefly touched its highest in about two weeks above 10,000, before ending the day slightly lower.
The broader Topix .TOPX was also flat, at 929.12. Continued...
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