Major Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,659.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped one-half of one percent to finish the day's trading at 21,885.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 80.00 yen, a gain of nearly three yen from Wednesday.

Gold is trading at $1,664.35 an ounce.