Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained just over one percent to finish at 9,039.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index soared well over than two and one-quarter percent to finish the day's trading at 19,784.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.46 yen, a loss of one-half of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,757.30 an ounce.