Nikkei flat after U.S. data as techs slip

TOKYO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average was flat on Monday as the market digested U.S. jobs data that had both negative and positive aspects for equities, though tech shares were weak after a key U.S. index for chip stocks fell.

China-linked shares such as Hitachi Construction (6305.T: Quote, Profile, Research) gained on anticipation that Chinese economic indicators due later this week will be good, though investors were searching for fresh factors as Japan's earnings season winds down.

The U.S. jobless rate unexpectedly jumped to 10.2 percent in October, a 26-½ year high, but job losses for August and September were revised to show 91,000 fewer jobs were lost than previously reported. [ID:nN06178752]

"The jobs data basically wasn't that good, but one thing the figures did do is raise expectations that low interest rates will remain in effect for a while, which is good for stocks," said Yutaka Miura, a senior technical analyst at Mizuho Securities.

"Certainly the number of jobs being lost has been revised downward, but it's hard to see this as much of a good thing, and my impression is that people taking this view are stretching things a bit. The market is going to waver, trying to make up its mind about how to see the data."

The benchmark Nikkei .N225, which began the day in negative territory, edged up 0.1 percent to 9,797.75, while the broader Topix .TOPX fell 0.4 percent to 870.80. Chip-related shares were fragile after the PHLX Semiconductor index edged lower, with Tokyo Electron (8035.T: Quote, Profile, Research) losing 1 percent to 4,860 yen and Advantest (6857.T: Quote, Profile, Research) -- a maker of chip-testing equipment -- slipping 0.2 percent to 1,963 yen. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)