Major Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost one and one-tenth percent to finish at 8,519.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained a fraction of one percent to finish the day's trading at 19,045.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.82 yen, a loss of a-tenth of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,831.70 an ounce.