Major Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost over one-half of one percent to finish at 8,738.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish the day's trading at 19,867.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 77.70 yen, a gain of nearly one-quarter of a yen from Thursday.

Gold is trading at $1,829.94 an ounce.