Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Tuesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly one and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,733.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index soared two percent to finish the day's trading at 19,876.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.54 yen, a loss of one-quarter of a yen from Monday.

Gold is trading at $1,885.90 an ounce.