Major Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly one-tenth of one percent to finish at 9,449.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost one percent to finish the day's trading at 22,662.

Share prices were higher in Manila, Shanghai, and Wellington, but lower in Bangkok, Jakarta, Mumbai, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Taipei. The index in Kuala Lumpur closed virtually unchanged from Tuesday.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 79.75, a loss of more than one-quarter of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,533.70 an ounce.