Major Asian stock markets closed mixed Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained a fraction of one percent to finish at 10,010.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost a fraction of one percent to finish the day's trading at 21,987.

Share prices were higher in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington, but lower in Manila, Mumbai, Seoul and Shanghai.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 79.86, a gain of nearly one-tenth of a yen from Wednesday.

Gold is trading at $1,599.50 an ounce.